Part 1 can be found here.
Last week we saw the birth of human community when Eve was created out of Adam’s rib. Together, they were able to share experiences and the world around them. They made mistakes together and learned together. They became so tied together that large sections of their life were inseparable. Most of their life could not have been possible if the other wasn’t around. This is known today as marriage, that can be viewed as a subsection of community.
I’ve written quite a few times about my experiences being a newlywed and what lessons and enlightenment it has brought me. In September we will be celebrating our third anniversary. It continually amazes me when Pastor Howard stands up in front of the church to announce the anniversaries of couples that have been together for over thirty, forty and even fifty years. Often times I wonder, with the amount that I’ve grown in these three years, what kind of growth awaits me in the next thirty, forty, or even fifty, God willing, years?
I love being married, but I also love being part of a young married small group at Calvary. My wife and I made a conscious effort to join a small group of couples in the same stage of life as us because we realized that we could benefit from hearing what other couples are struggling with or praising about in their marriage. Our bi-monthly get-togethers have helped us establish a group of friends and a new community of couples who help each other through mistakes and learning opportunities.
Just like my wife and I didn’t get married in a vacuum (after all, we had a public wedding with friends and family!), we didn’t want to have our marriage in one either, knowing that others can help us. This is one of the tremendous benefits of community, one that the Bible realizes and emphasizes in one of the more famous passages in Ecclesiastes 4.
9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
10 If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Yes, two is good, but three is even better. If three is even better than two, what about four or five or even six?
If you’d like to consider joining a small group (you don’t even have to be married!), it is well worth your time. Don’t go missing out on the benefits of community any longer!
– Matt
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Community, Pt. II
June 10, 2010
Calvary
Comments Off on Community, Pt. II
Matt
Part 1 can be found here.
Last week we saw the birth of human community when Eve was created out of Adam’s rib. Together, they were able to share experiences and the world around them. They made mistakes together and learned together. They became so tied together that large sections of their life were inseparable. Most of their life could not have been possible if the other wasn’t around. This is known today as marriage, that can be viewed as a subsection of community.
I’ve written quite a few times about my experiences being a newlywed and what lessons and enlightenment it has brought me. In September we will be celebrating our third anniversary. It continually amazes me when Pastor Howard stands up in front of the church to announce the anniversaries of couples that have been together for over thirty, forty and even fifty years. Often times I wonder, with the amount that I’ve grown in these three years, what kind of growth awaits me in the next thirty, forty, or even fifty, God willing, years?
I love being married, but I also love being part of a young married small group at Calvary. My wife and I made a conscious effort to join a small group of couples in the same stage of life as us because we realized that we could benefit from hearing what other couples are struggling with or praising about in their marriage. Our bi-monthly get-togethers have helped us establish a group of friends and a new community of couples who help each other through mistakes and learning opportunities.
Just like my wife and I didn’t get married in a vacuum (after all, we had a public wedding with friends and family!), we didn’t want to have our marriage in one either, knowing that others can help us. This is one of the tremendous benefits of community, one that the Bible realizes and emphasizes in one of the more famous passages in Ecclesiastes 4.
9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
10 If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Yes, two is good, but three is even better. If three is even better than two, what about four or five or even six?
If you’d like to consider joining a small group (you don’t even have to be married!), it is well worth your time. Don’t go missing out on the benefits of community any longer!
– Matt
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communityEcclesiastesfriendsfriendshipmarriagesmall groups