7 Habits of Highly Effective Christians #2

Habit 2:  Community

Verse:  “He appointed twelve – designating them apostles – that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.”  Mark 3:14-15

In 1927 Norman Vaughan was a 21-year-old student at Harvard when he read a saw a headline that read:  “Byrd to the South Pole.”  Along with two classmates, he volunteered to accompany the explorer to Antarctica.  Byrd accepted the offer, and Vaughan served as chief dog handler.  After the successful 18-month expedition, a grateful Byrd named a 10,302 foot mountain after the young man.  Vaughan immediately replied, “I want to climb it!”

Sixty-five year later, and three days before his 89th birthday, Norman Vaughan finally reached to the peak of his mountain, Mt. Vaughan, which no one had ever climbed before.  In fact, it’s the only mountain he had ever climbed.  His 13-member team, including his wife, took nine days to reach the summit.  “I climb very slowly,” explained Vaughan.  He also climbed straight up the mountain due to a fused ankle and a knee replacement on the same leg.

Norman Vaughan would never have reached the peak of Mt. Vaughan without the help of his 13-member team. He needed to move forward toward his goal by operating in community. Alone, he would’ve died on his mountain, in community, he conquered his mountain.

Bible:  Jesus didn’t go it alone either; He ministered in community.  After spending the night in prayer, He chose 12 men to be “apostles” [ones sent forth].  Mark 3:14-15 (above) outlines the three main purposes of Jesus’ small group:

• That they might be with Him:  Jesus and the Twelve spent three years with each other – talking, eating, sleeping, arguing, laughing, traveling and ministering – together.  When Jesus was in Capernaum, the small group lived at Peter’s house.  At least once, Matthew played host to Jesus during a dinner with his friends – tax collectors and “sinners.”  During Jesus’ last week on earth, several of the apostles sat with Jesus on the Mount of Olives.  As they looked down on the temple, the group listened to Jesus talk about future events.  The next night the group was once again on the Mount of Olives singing a hymn together before Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane.  Jesus and His small group lived in community.

• That He might send them out:  The Twelve spent three years watching Jesus up close on a daily basis.  They observed firsthand His life and ministry.  When the time was right, Jesus sent them out in pairs to practice what they had observed.  They went out and preached repentance, drove out many demons, and healed many sick people.  Then they came back and reported to Jesus all they had done and taught.  Afterwards the group headed off for a time of renewal.  Jesus taught His small group how to do ministry.

• That they might have authority:  Jesus equipped and empowered them to be apostles so that they might impact the world.  From just 11 men, excluding Judas, the world was revolutionized as the Gospel spread across the planet.

Application:

• Get in a small group.  If you can’t find one, then start one.  If you’re in a small group already, then do all you can do build community.
• Use the training pattern of Jesus.  The four-step process is: 1) Observe; 2) Practice; 3) Report; and 4) Renew.  The entire process takes place in community.
• Ask Jesus to work through you to impact your world.  Then be intentional about your life and ministry, as you participate in community life.

Prayer:
“Lord, Thank You for Your example.  There is power in small groups to transform lives.  Help me find a group, start a group, and enjoy a group that will love me no matter what, and where my spiritual gifts can be used to help others.  Amen.”

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