WEEK 7

CRYING FOR COMMUNITY

By Sandra Clifton, D.Min.

 

Begin your study by reading “Crying For Community” by Margaret Feinberg (SpiritLed Woman magazine, Aug/Sept, 2007).

 

Introduction

How many people around you—such as neighbors, co-workers, fellow church members—have you gotten to know? Let God’s Word guide you in how to show Jesus’ love to those about you, so they will feel His love permeating the scene and feel a sense of belonging to Him.

 

What God Says

Read Psalm. 132:15.

 

Write it out.

 

Deeper Insight

Read the following Scriptures (in New King James Version, as the exercises to follow will be based on that). Make brief notes of what each Scripture is saying about God’s concern and provision for community.

 

Psalm 132:15:____________________________________________________

 

James 1:27: ___________________________________________________

 

1 John 3:17:___________________________________________________

Application

Below are Scripture listings (taken from Deeper Insight section, using the NKJV). Place the letter of the listing in the blank space next to the theme that matches it. Look up each Scripture listing and memorize them. Put them on note cards or into your computer (as a screen saver). Be reminded and encouraged daily of His love.

 

A) Psalm 132:15:

 

B) James 1:27

 

C) 1 John 3:17

 

_____ Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is to visit orphans and widows. . .

_____How does the love of God abide in someone who shuts up his heart to his brother in need?

_____God will satisfy [Zion’s] poor with bread.

 

For Group Study

Begin your group time by reading aloud 1 John 3:17. Have each member of the group share what this means and in what ways it might apply to daily life and the challenge of others in need all around them. Encourage testimonies of how group members were helped in their time of need through the kindness of others or how group members helped others in their time of need. Discuss how this kind of love is such a powerful witness for Christ.

            Close the group session in prayer, giving thanks to the Lord that He is giving each member of the group greater sensitivity to those in need and a greater calling to reach them with  His love!

 

Prayer

Memorize 1 John 3:17. Read it aloud as part of your prayer. Thank the Lord that He has given you a mission to reach and touch the world about you with His love. Thank Him that He will make you a presence and a voice that will create a sense of a “community in Christ” in your church and even in your neighborhood and workplace, as you draw other women to you with the love of Jesus Christ.