Community - Not Our Idea

By Greg Crooks

"Community, community, community. Watermark Community Church. GroupLink. Open Community. Are you in community? You have to be in community. You should jump into community. Have you talked to your community? Who's in your community?"

MAN! What's the deal?! Why is everyone at Watermark so stinkin' passionate about community? Is it Todd's idea? JP's?

There is no doubt - if you have been around Watermark or The Porch for any amount of time, you have heard us call our people to this idea of "community." First and foremost though, we want you to know that community is not at all our idea. Ever since the beginning, our Creator has designed us and called us to live life with others. But don't take my word for it when you can take His. There are actually over thirty "One Anothers" in God's Word.

Let's take a look at a few (there are many more):

Let us consider how we may spur ONE ANOTHER on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting TOGETHER, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage ONE ANOTHER – and all the more as you see the Day approaching. - Hebrews 10:24-25

But encourage ONE ANOTHER daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. - Hebrews 3:13

Therefore confess your sins TO EACH OTHER and pray for EACH OTHER so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. - James 5:16

He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. - Proverbs 13:20

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. - Proverbs 27:17

Carry EACH OTHER'S burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. - Galatians 6:2

Bear with ONE ANOTHER in love. - Ephesians 4:2

He who trusts in himself is a fool. - Proverbs 28:26

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. - Proverbs 14:12 AND Proverbs 16:25

The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. - Proverbs 12:15

Faithful are the wounds of a friend. - Proverbs 27:6

He who separates himself seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom. - Proverbs 18:1

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. - Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. - Proverbs 15:22

Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance. - Proverbs 20:18

As we embark on a new journey together through this community blog, we will continue to call you to biblical community and hopefully make a compelling case that God's absolute best is for you and me to be surrounded by others who love us and can encourage us as we grow in our relationship with our Creator.

We would love to help you plug into community at Watermark and walk through the process alongside you. Please let us know if we can serve you in anyway. You can contact us at community@watermark.org.