Community is a big part of a disciple's journey. We were never meant to do it alone. We see this as Jesus called out His disciples to go out two by two, and we see it in the establishment of the church. This study explores seven core aspects of being community together following in the way of Jesus. These are all actually commands of Christ — we should be doing them all in our communities and churches.

This guide pairs with the Becoming Community stage of the journey. Each aspect has a key question and a scripture set — read, discuss, and finish with what you will do in response.

1. Repent and Believe

Repentance and belief form the foundation of following Christ — turning from sin and turning ourselves towards God and His kingdom. This isn't a one-time event but an ongoing lifestyle of reorienting our hearts and lives around Jesus because He alone is Lord.

Key question: What am I learning about repentance and belief?

  • Peter's call to repentance — Acts 2:22-41
  • John's message was repentance — Matthew 3:1-6
  • Jesus launches his message with repentance — Matthew 4:17-22
  • The earliest church began by repenting — Acts 2:37-42
  • God commands repentance — Acts 17:22-31
  • Godly sorrow leads to repentance — 2 Corinthians 7:8-11
  • Repentance preached to all nations — Luke 24:44-49

2. Be Baptized

Baptism is our public declaration of allegiance to Jesus. In it we die to our old life and rise out of the waters to new life in Christ. It's not merely a ritual but a profound spiritual reality that marks our entry into God's kingdom and the church community. It might happen as a sprinkle or sometimes as fully immersing in the water, but in every instance we declare Jesus as Lord of our life.

Key question: What do I learn about baptism?

  • Ethiopian eunuch baptized — Acts 8:26-40
  • Baptism is a key part of what we are commissioned to — Matthew 28:16-20
  • Baptism means we are buried and raised with Christ — Romans 6:1-5
  • The earliest church prioritized baptism — Acts 2:37-42
  • In baptism we are clothed with Christ — Galatians 3:26-29
  • Baptism is a marker of salvation — 1 Peter 3:21-22
  • In baptism we are buried with Christ — Colossians 2:11-12

3. The Lord's Supper

The Lord's Supper is our regular remembrance of Christ's sacrifice and anticipation of His return. It builds community, proclaims the gospel, and nourishes our faith as we participate in the body and blood of Jesus. It's modeled after Jesus' last supper with His disciples, where he broke bread and passed it, likening it to His body, then passed the wine, likening it to His blood. We come to the table, together, because Jesus is Lord!

Key question: What do I learn about the Lord's supper in these moments?

  • Jesus' last supper: Luke's perspective — Luke 22:7-22
  • Jesus' last supper: Matthew's perspective — Matthew 26:26-29
  • Jesus' last supper: Mark's perspective — Mark 14:12-25
  • The Lord's supper in the early church pt 1 — Acts 2:42-46
  • The Lord's supper in the early church pt 2 — 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

4. Pray

Prayer is not a religious obligation but intimate communication with our Father who loves us. Jesus modeled prayer as essential for spiritual life, and teaches us to pray with confidence, persistence, and alignment with God's will. It's a core part of who we are, and something we do as a community, together.

Key question: How might this change how I pray?

  • Jesus' model for prayer — Matthew 6:5-15
  • Pray even for your enemies — Matthew 5:43-48
  • Pray persistently — Luke 18:1-8
  • Pray about everything — Philippians 4:4-7
  • Pray continually — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
  • The prayer of the righteous is powerful — James 5:13-18
  • Pray for all people — 1 Timothy 2:1-8

5. Give

Giving flows from a transformed heart that recognizes God as the source of all blessings. It's not about compulsion but cheerful generosity that trusts God's provision and seeks to advance His kingdom through our resources.

Key question: How do these verses affect the ways I give?

  • Be a cheerful giver — 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
  • Test the Lord in tithing — Malachi 3:6-10
  • Don't neglect justice in your giving — Matthew 23:23-24
  • Macedonian generosity — 2 Corinthians 8:1-7
  • Give and it will be given — Luke 6:38

6. Love God & Neighbor

Love is the greatest commandment that encompasses all others. Loving God with everything we are naturally flows into loving our neighbors as ourselves, breaking down barriers and building bridges of grace.

Key question: How do these verses change the way we love?

  • The story of the Good Samaritan — Luke 10:25-37
  • Greatest commandments — Matthew 22:34-40
  • Love God with your all — Deuteronomy 6:5-9
  • Loving your neighbor is a part of the law — Leviticus 19:9-18
  • Love one another — John 13:31-35
  • God is love — 1 John 4:7-21
  • Love fulfills the law — Romans 13:8-10

7. Make Disciples

Making disciples is not just for pastors or missionaries but something for every follower of Jesus. We reproduce what we are — disciples who make disciples, creating movements of transformation that reach every nation, tribe, and tongue!

Key question: What am I learning about making disciples?

  • Go and make disciples — Matthew 28:16-20
  • Bearing fruit that remains — John 15:1-17
  • Faithful people teach others — 2 Timothy 2:1-7
  • Making and establishing disciples — Acts 14:21-23
  • Spiritual fathers reproduce — 1 Corinthians 4:14-21
  • Equip people for ministry — Ephesians 4:11-16