Building Authentic Christian Community

Authentic Christian Community Requires…

Listening to the teachings of Jesus

One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there. LUKE 5:1-3 NLT

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” JOHN 8:31-32 NLT

Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your instructions. PSALM 119:29 NLT

Going a little deeper than I am comfortable

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” LUKE 5:4 NLT

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. ISAIAH 41:10 NLT

Trusting Jesus despite my past results with people

“Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. LUKE 5:5 NLT

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. MATTHEW 5:11-12 NLT

Becoming vulnerable and sharing my personal struggle with sin.

When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. LUKE 5:8-10 NLT

This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” —and I am the worst of them all. 1 TIMOTHY 1:15 NLT

Discovering my God-given potential to make a difference

Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus. LUKE 5:10-11 NLT

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. EPHESIANS 2:10 NLT

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a quiet place that will help you to be present with God authentically. Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings and wait until they become reasonably calm. Take a few deep breaths. Go for a walk if you need to. When you are ready, ask God to guide you through this reflection exercise. Think about being more real with the people at Sandals. What fears do you have that may hinder you from doing this? Recall past experiences that are keeping you from new authentic relationships. Ask God to show you a teaching of His that you resist trusting in that may be contributing to your fears. Have a conversation with God about helping you to overcome the fears and hurts that are hindering your connection to people at Sandals, people in your family, and any other relationships. Pray that God would help you to visualize what being more real with the people at Sandals would look like in your relationships with them. What feelings and thoughts surface? What thoughts are true and which are false? Where in your life do you sense He wants you to go deeper with Him and with others? Pray He will show you a step you can take this week to grow in being more authentic in one of these areas. Lastly, are there any areas where you are struggling trusting God and His direction for your life? Confess this to Him now, and ask Him to give you a holy vision for your life–even if it makes you feel stretched beyond your comfort limit. Close your time by asking God for the strength and courage to step into this direction for your life, thanking Him that He loves and cares about you.

Discussion Questions

Choose a couple of the following questions from each section that best fit your group. Or, have everyone read the questions, choosing which one(s) from each section that they feel led to respond to.

START HERE: Why did some people love Jesus and others hate Him?

START HERE: Jesus is a great “noticer”. What do you think Jesus notices about you?

START HERE: What are the benefits of vulnerability?

KEEP GOING: How have the teachings of Jesus changed your life?

KEEP GOING: Read Isaiah 41:10 (NLT). Being real should make us all a little uncomfortable. How are you following Jesus deeper than you want to go? Where does fear keep you from going deeper?

KEEP GOING: The only way to go deeper is to be vulnerable. How have past relationships kept you from being vulnerable with others?

KEEP GOING: Read 1 Timothy 1:15 (NLT). How does Paul’s vulnerability encourage you to be real with others?

LIVE IT OUT: Visualize sitting across the table at a restaurant over your favorite meal with Jesus and He leans forward and says to you: “What do you want to tell me?” What would you say?

LIVE IT OUT: Read Ephesians 2:10 (NLT). How do you sense God wants to bless others through you? If you’re unsure, ask your group what hidden strengths they see in you.