Consider:     Community:  people living in geographic proximity who share a common environment and engage in interdependent relationships.  This is an intentionally narrow definition that excludes broad amorphous networks of like-minded individuals (such as the religious community, the business community, etc.).  It is a practical working definition that establishes boundaries and identifies a specific population.  Community, thus defined, can be observed, measured, evaluated, and treated.  The health of a community is determined by the nature and extent of its social interactions and its capacity to productively sustain a quality of life for its members.  Its strength lies in its spiritual and moral grounding, familial bonds, and social cohesiveness.

from Return Flight
by Robert D. Lupton, Ph. D

Read:    Deuteronomy 4:8-14

Ask:    Building community is more like building a human pyramid than it is like building a real one.  In a human pyramid you can't just work at constructing the thing, step back and admire your work.  Rather you have to be the pyramid itself for the rest of the world to see.  What communities have you seen, visited with, or heard the story of that seem to actually be a community of God?

The Israelites held their covenant with God at the center of their community. This gave them practices, relational bonds, and cohesiveness.   What are the “established boundaries” that give us as Christians cohesiveness and that can serve as our gift for the world?

When have you seen a community that has become spiritually or morally “ungrounded?”  How did you react or interact with/in that situation?

Once we are being a Christian community together then we will have something to show others.  So, by being community we build (or expand or grow) Christian community by inspiring others to live similarly.  When have you seen a Christian spirit “catch on” amongst a certain group of people?

Move:    Sometimes we find ourselves being a Christian community amongst a lot of other people who already would consider themselves followers of Jesus.  This may happen at camp or during mission trips or even during summer internships.  What challenges does this present?  What are the benefits of building community among people who already claim to follow Christ?