Devotional: As God's beloved children, we're called to walk in love and light. Our community should be marked by wisdom, thanksgiving, and being filled with the Spirit. This creates an environment where genuine fellowship can flourish.Application: Choose one way to "walk as children of light" in your interactions with others today.Prayer: Holy Spirit, fill us with Your presence. Help us walk in lo...  Read More

Devotional: Our new life in Christ should be visible in how we treat one another. Speaking truth in love, forgiving freely, and building others up are essential marks of true Christian community that reflect our transformation in Christ.Application: Practice speaking words of encouragement to at least three people today, building them up according to their needs.Prayer: Father, help us put off our...  Read More

Devotional: Unity in the body of Christ requires humility, gentleness, and patience. Every member has gifts to contribute, and together we grow into maturity in Christ. Our diversity of gifts serves to build up the whole body.Application: Identify your spiritual gifts and find one specific way to use them to build up our church this week.Prayer: Lord, help us walk worthy of our calling. Unite us i...  Read More

Devotional: Paul reveals the mystery of God's plan to create one new community in Christ, including both Jews and Gentiles. His prayer for the Ephesians shows how deeply God wants us to experience His love together as a church family.Application: Pray Paul's prayer (verses 14-21) for our church community, personalizing it with specific names.Prayer: Holy Spirit, strengthen us with power in our inn...  Read More

Devotional: This powerful chapter reveals how Christ brings together people from every background into one new community. The barriers that once divided us are broken down through His work on the cross, creating a new humanity united in Him.Application: Reflect on how Christ has unified you with believers who are different from you, and thank Him for this gift.Prayer: Jesus, thank You for breaking...  Read More

Devotional: The book of Ephesians is an epistle (letter) written by Paul to the church at Ephesus. Paul opens up Ephesians with a magnificent vision of God's eternal plan for His community - chosen, adopted, redeemed, and united under Christ. Our identity as God's children shapes how we relate to one another and gives us a foundation for true community.Application: Write down three aspects of your...  Read More

Devotional: The final chapters of Acts show how Paul's imprisonment becomes an opportunity for gospel witness. Through every circumstance, whether in chains or free, the gospel advances and communities of faith continue to grow. Paul's journey to Rome demonstrates how God's purposes prevail even through life's storms.Application: Share with someone how God has used a difficult situation in your li...  Read More

Devotional: Paul's journey to Jerusalem shows both the support of believers along the way and their concern for his safety. His testimony before different audiences demonstrates courage that comes from knowing our identity in Christ and being supported by the prayers of God's people.Application: Pray for and encourage someone you know who is facing opposition for their faith.Prayer: Lord, give us ...  Read More

Devotional: Paul's farewell to the Ephesian elders reveals the deep bonds formed in Christian community. His charge to them emphasizes both the joys and responsibilities of leading God's people, showing how healthy leadership serves to protect and nurture the church.Application: Write a note of encouragement to one of our church leaders, expressing appreciation for their service.Prayer: Father, bl...  Read More

Devotional: The gospel's impact in Ephesus shows how transformed lives can affect an entire city. When the community of believers lives distinctly from the culture, it creates both opposition and opportunity, demonstrating the powerful witness of authentic Christian community.Application: Identify one way your small group or ministry team can have a positive impact in our city.Prayer: Lord, use ou...  Read More

Devotional: The partnership between Paul, Priscilla, and Aquila shows how Christian community multiplies through mentorship and mutual support. Their investment in Apollos demonstrates the importance of helping others grow in their gifts and understanding.Application: Identify someone who has helped you grow spiritually and send them a message of gratitude.Prayer: Father, thank You for those who i...  Read More

Devotional: Paul's ministry in Athens shows how to engage different cultures with the gospel while maintaining its truth. His approach demonstrates how Christian community can connect with the broader society while remaining distinct in its beliefs and practices.Application: Consider how you can better connect with non-believers in your life while staying true to your faith.Prayer: Lord, give us w...  Read More

Devotional: Even after Paul and Barnabas separate, God continues to build His church through different teams. The conversion of Lydia and the Philippian jailer shows how God builds diverse communities of faith, reaching people from all walks of life.Application: Thank God for the different ministries and groups within our church, and consider how they all contribute to our community.Prayer: Father...  Read More

Devotional: The Jerusalem Council demonstrates how the early church handled conflict through respectful dialogue, biblical wisdom, and Spirit-led consensus. Their resolution protected both truth and unity, showing us how to address disagreements while maintaining fellowship.Application: Practice active listening today, especially with someone who holds a different perspective than you.Prayer: God,...  Read More

Devotional: Paul and Barnabas face both acceptance and rejection as they establish new communities of faith. Their return visit to strengthen these young churches shows the importance of ongoing discipleship and leadership development. We learn that building community requires long-term commitment and care.Application: Reach out to a newer believer in our church and offer encouragement or support ...  Read More

Devotional: The Antioch church models Spirit-led community as they send out missionaries. We see how healthy communities both nurture and release people for God's work, supporting them in their calling. Their example shows us how to recognize and support those God calls to specific ministry.Application: Consider how you can support our church's missionaries through prayer, encouragement, or giving...  Read More

Devotional: When Peter is imprisoned, the church responds with earnest prayer. Their unified intercession demonstrates the power of community in crisis, and God's miraculous answer shows His faithfulness to His people. This teaches us the importance of standing together in prayer during difficult times.Application: Join with others to pray specifically for someone in our church facing challenges t...  Read More

Devotional: The Jerusalem church learns to embrace God's work among the Gentiles, while believers in Antioch demonstrate practical love by sending aid to Judea. We see how true community crosses boundaries and responds to needs, showing that God's family extends beyond our immediate circle.Application: Look for an opportunity to support another church or ministry outside your immediate community t...  Read More

Devotional: Saul's conversion and the church's acceptance of him demonstrate the transforming power of God's grace in building community. Barnabas's willingness to stand with Saul shows how we can help others integrate into the body of Christ, even when it requires overcoming fear and suspicion.Application: Is there someone new or on the margins of our church community you could welcome like Barna...  Read More

Devotional: Saul's conversion and the church's acceptance of him demonstrate the transforming power of God's grace in building community. Barnabas's willingness to stand with Saul shows how we can help others integrate into the body of Christ, even when it requires overcoming fear and suspicion.Application: Is there someone new or on the margins of our church community you could welcome like Barna...  Read More

Devotional: Through Philip's ministry to the Samaritans and the Ethiopian eunuch, we see how God's community extends beyond cultural and ethnic boundaries. The gospel's power transcends all human divisions, showing us that true community in Christ knows no boundaries.Application: Reach out to someone from a different background in our church community and learn their story.Prayer: Lord, break down...  Read More

Devotional: Stephen's testimony demonstrates how godly community includes standing firm in truth, even at great cost. The persecution that follows shows how pressure can actually spread the gospel further. Through this, we learn that faithful witness in community sometimes requires great courage.Application: Write an encouraging note to someone in our church who is facing difficulties in their fai...  Read More

Devotional: The early church's commitment to sharing everything shows the depth of their community. When problems arose, they solved them together through wise leadership and delegation, showing us how healthy communities address conflicts constructively. Their willingness to adapt and organize for better care of all members sets an example for us.Application: Identify one practical way you can sh...  Read More

Devotional: Peter and John's bold witness shows us how community provides strength in the face of opposition. Their unity in prayer and proclamation demonstrates the power of standing together in faith. When threatened, they returned to their people and prayed together, showing us how authentic community becomes a source of courage. Application: Share a current challenge with your small group or a...  Read More