What does Scripture teach us about community?

Paul writes: “If you have gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if His love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care—then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited Friends.  Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top.  Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead.  Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage.  Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.  Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself.”  Philippians 2:1–5 (The Message)

Jesus came as a servant to all. We must follow His way.

Jerry and Liz Maxwell have lived out the title of this book in so many beautiful ways. This slim volume is brimming with scripture that prescribes being the church in the world…and practical ways to do it! God’s love shines through every page. Read the book, gather a small group together, and live life the way it should be lived! Susan Engle Spoon, personal assistant, Howard E. Butt, Jr. Foundation for Laity Renewal

This book is the result of the many life experiences that my wife, Liz, and I have had in various church settings, small groups we have been a part of and the lessons we have learned in the process of experiencing life with others.  The principles that Jesus taught us in God’s Word and demonstrated to us in His three years of ministry are incredible tools that have taught us to live life together and to draw others to us.  We have been fortunate enough to see the incredible faith and loving support of those who are in churches around the world.  The principle of church from the “bottom up” instead of the “top down” as taught by Pastor Eddie Leo of Abba Love Church in Jakarta, Indonesia, has made a profound impact on our lives.  We have been inspired by the idea of Life Groups being multi-generational rather than age-driven to provide a real family experience that most new Christians have not encountered because of divorce and the breakdown of the American family system.
    It is my belief that we can introduce these principles into our churches without adding staff, developing a three-step plan, or a five-week discipleship program.  We have the story the Gospels give us about Jesus' ministry.  The books of James and 1st Peter are great manuals for living life and the book of Acts, especially chapter two, verses 42-47,  are guiding principles we should be teaching to those in our modern churches.  “How to Live Life Together” is based on the greatest commandment: 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind.'  This is the first and greatest commandment.  A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.’  All other commandments and all demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”  There is nothing complicated about this.  It is very simple and straight forward.  It is our prayer that this small book will begin to open the door to living life together as a church body by removing the barriers that have been present for so long in America’s traditional church.

Jerry Maxwell is a member of Eagles View Church in Saginaw, Texas, where his wife, Liz, serves as preschool children’s pastor.  Jerry and Liz have been married fifty-four years and have four children and seven grandchildren. Having first installed small groups in a church in 1988, Jerry has twenty-three years’ experience in small-group ministry.  In addition to being a part of many church plants, Jerry and Liz have served as church-planting coaches.  In the business world, Jerry worked for over forty years in the financial services industry in a management role. The Maxwells currently reside in Fort Worth, Texas.