Sunday School Class // January 21, 2024
View Series
This is a lesson I prepared for a Sunday School class and is based on the video series “The Basics of the Christian Life by Sinclair Ferguson | Ligonier Ministries” (Lesson 3)
Matthew 16:18 (ESV)
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Peter’s Confession | Matthew 16:18
Peter’s confession is the central point of the gospel and is essentially the heart of the ministry of Jesus. Although Jesus came to save individuals, he is also building a community of believers. This was difficult for the disciples because they didn’t truly understand the purpose of the Messiah, as evidenced immediately after this confession when Peter was rebuked for being a hindrance to the mission of Jesus. To better help the disciples (and us) understand this community-building aspect of his ministry, Jesus gives several word pictures to illustrate.
- Lord’s Prayer is centered on the plurality of community living.
- “Our Father”
- “Our daily bread”
- Good Shepherd and his sheep
- The shepherd gathers his sheep to himself.
- As the sheep gather near to the shepherd they are inevitably drawn closer together.
Our personal testimony, just like Peter’s confession, is a means of bringing others to the Good Shepherd and enfolding them in this community of believers. We often want to focus on “my” testimony or “my” witness, but this is not what Jesus has in mind. Jesus wants me as an individual to draw close to him and be embraced by his unconditional, deep, and rich love. He wants me to be so in love with him, that I cannot but help share his joyous love and mercy with others. I share this with others not because I want to prove myself or have others approve of me but to simply share the precious freedom found in Christ and watch the Lord build his community of believers. All coming together to worship the Lord. Voices from every tribe, tongue, and nation coming together for a singular purpose… to worship Jesus.
Building Community | Acts 2:42-47
Throughout the book of Acts, Luke gives brief snapshots of what the church looks like and how it is being transformed by Christ through the gospel. There are five key points for us to consider as we live life together in community.
- Learning Community
- The community of people were hearing, reading, and praying the Word of God regularly. They were constantly having their heart and mind exposed to the gospel of God’s Word.
- The Word of God was being poured into their lives and transforming them.
- We expect too little engagement in our lives.
- Sharing Community
- Koinonia – community fellowship, shared lives.
- They wanted to give and share in love with their community family.
- They shared their time, talents, and treasure with one another.
- Worshipping Community
- They gathered together for prayer and worship – together.
- This not only draws you close to God but will inevitably draw you closer together as a people.
- Multicultural Community
- Bringing together many different types of people.
- People from different nationalities, economic situations, social statuses, and talents are brought together in unity through diversity.
- Growing Community
- As the church lives out these different aspects, the Lord will grow the community.
- People will be attracted to this type of community.
In Western Christianity, it is easy to simply think of our faith as a personal relationship with Jesus. That it’s just me and Jesus and that is all I need and all that Jesus requires of me. This is not the picture of faith that Jesus has in mind for his people. We are a community of believers. Yes, we are all individuals and we have a personal relationship with our Savior but we are also a part of the family of God. We have many brothers and sisters here and around the world. Jesus has brought us together as a community for a reason. First, because this best represents the character of God. Second, because we need each other. As we each draw closer to Jesus individually, he will also draw us nearer to one another. We are to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. We are also to love our neighbor as ourselves. Loving God means to love people. All people.