Come Home to Community.
Come Home to Community
Life is better when it’s shared—and spiritual growth doesn’t happen alone. This semester, we’re inviting you to come home to community. Small groups are where friendships are formed, faith is strengthened, and you find people who will walk with you through every season of life.
We have groups for men, women, couples, and mixed groups—meeting throughout the week in homes, at the church, and online. Whether you’re new to Gateway or have been here for years, there’s a place for you.
Don’t just attend—belong.
Home is Not a Place
Home IS NOT A PLACE
Home isn’t a WHERE. Home is a WHO.
2 QUESTIONS
1. Why does community matter?
2. How do I move from wanting community to actually living it?
WHY DOES COMMUNITY MATTER?
1. We were designed to belong.
"It is not good that man should be alone."
– Genesis 2:18, NKJV
“The promise of social media is to be fully seen and fully liked. But the promise of real friendship is to be fully known and fully loved.” – Justin Whitmel Early
"To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything. It liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us." – Timothy Keller
God made us to belong to him and one another. Pride separated us from him and one another. Jesus is bringing us back to him and one another.
2. Spiritual Growth Happens Together.
"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge,
and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,
but do not have love, I gain nothing."
– 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
3. Belonging Anchors Identity
"You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession…" – 1 Peter 2:9 "You are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of His household." – Ephesians 2:9
HOW DO I MOVE FROM WANTING COMMUNITY TO ACTUALLY LIVING IT?
7 SECRETS TO LIVE OUT COMMUNITY
1. Show Up Over Time.
We cannot live like church is optional and expect our kids to treat it as essential.
2. Be OK with Awkward.
"Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin." – Zechariah 4:10
3. Lead with Vulnerability.
"We impress people with our strengths, but we connect with people through our weaknesses."
"If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another…" – 1 John 1:7
4. Carry Something Together.
"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." – Galatians 6:2
God doesn’t just use community to accomplish the mission.
He also uses the mission to accomplish community.
5. Walk Through Conflict, Not Around It.
"Wounds from a friend can be trusted…" – Proverbs 27:6
"Bear with each other and forgive one another… Forgive as the Lord forgave you." – Colossians 3:13
6. Make Room for Others.
The heartbeat of God is relational generosity.
"I no longer call you servants... Instead, I have called you friends." – John 15:15 "Welcome one another, just as Christ welcomed you." – Romans 15:7
7. Give What You Want to Receive.
"A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed." – Proverbs 11:25