WE ARE CONNECTED TO GROW TOGETHER by Elder James Njoroge

WE ARE CONNECTED TO GROW TOGETHER 40 Days of Community – Part 4 Rick Warren & Tom Holladay “From the very beginning God decided that those who came to him -- and all along he knew who would -- should become like his Son…” Romans 8:29 (LB) “Encourage each other and build each other up.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11(NIV) 1. BY AFFIRMING EACH OTHER’S WORTH · WITH ACCEPTANCE “Accept one another, just as Christ accepted you...” Romans 15:7 (NIV) · WITH ATTENTION “Give special attention to those who are in the family of believers.” Galatians 6:10 (NCV) · WITH AFFECTION “Love one another with brotherly affection as members of one family…” Romans 12:10 (Amp) · WITH APPRECIATION “Brothers and sisters…appreciate those who work hard among you, who lead you in the Lord and teach you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:12 (NCV) 2. BY PRAYING FOR EACH OTHER’S GROWTH “Epaphras…always prays for you that you will grow to be spiritually mature.” Colossians 4:12 (NCV) “I pray…you’ll be able to feel and understand, how long, wide, deep, and high Christ’s love really is; and to experience this love for yourselves…” Ephesians 3:18-19 (LB) “I pray…you will always be eager to do right.”  Hebrews 13:21 (CEV) “I pray God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace while you trust in him.” Romans 15:13 (NCV) “I pray God…would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation...” Ephesians 1:17 (GW) “I pray the Lord will guide you to be as loving as God and as patient as Christ.”  2 Thessalonians 3:5 (CEV) “I pray God...may strengthen you with power through his Spirit.” Ephesians 3:16 (NIV) “May…God develop maturity in you, so that you get along with each other as well as Jesus gets along with us all.” Romans 15:5 (MSG) 3. BY ADMITTING OUR OWN MISTAKES “Tell each other the truth, because we all belong to each other.” Ephesians 4:25 (NCV) Benefits of honesty · EMOTIONAL HEALING “Admit your faults to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16 (LB) · A FRESH START “Anyone who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful.  But if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance.” Proverbs 28:13 (LB) · GOD’S POWER TO CHANGE “When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on him, God will lift you up and give you honor.”  James 4:10 (NLT) · DEEPER FELLOWSHIP “If we live in the light…then we have fellowship with one another...” 1 John 1:7 (TEV) 4. BY ENCOURAGING EACH OTHER’S COMMITMENT “Keep yourself in training for a godly life.” 1 Timothy 4:7 (TEV) “I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you.” Romans 1:12 (NCV) 1. Commit to LOVE Jesus Christ. 2. Commit to LOVE other believers. 3. Commit to GROW in God’s Word. 4. Commit to SERVE in ministry. 5. Commit to SHARING the Good News.