Discipleship isn’t about checking religious boxes—it’s about living from your identity as God’s beloved, deepening your relationship with Christ, letting your mind be renewed, showing up in community, and serving the world with love. In this devotional series, Pastor Nate shares reflections on different aspects of discipleship.
“Created for Community”
For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” – Matthew 18:20
So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. – Romans 12:5
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. – John 15:12-13
In Genesis 2, we read about God creating the first human and almost immediately God realizes that it was not good for this human to be alone. We have all been created to be in community with one another. God’s plan and hope since nearly the very beginning was for humans to share life together and to learn and grow and bond with one another. We see evidence of this throughout all of human history. People have always gathered together and built communities because, I believe, it was hard-wired within them. This is how God created us to live; we simply cannot survive without relationships.
The truth is that relationships with others and being in community is hard work. People will not always behave how you hope or expect, but in the same sense there is almost no greater joy than the joy that is found through relationships. And this truth extends into our life of faith as well. We practice our faith together, with other Christians. We learn from their experiences on the journey of faith and we support each other when we doubt or question. We often overlook the profound yet simple truth that being in community with others is a way of practicing our faith; it is a practice of discipleship.
“Created for Community”
For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” – Matthew 18:20
So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. – Romans 12:5
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. – John 15:12-13
In Genesis 2, we read about God creating the first human and almost immediately God realizes that it was not good for this human to be alone. We have all been created to be in community with one another. God’s plan and hope since nearly the very beginning was for humans to share life together and to learn and grow and bond with one another. We see evidence of this throughout all of human history. People have always gathered together and built communities because, I believe, it was hard-wired within them. This is how God created us to live; we simply cannot survive without relationships.
The truth is that relationships with others and being in community is hard work. People will not always behave how you hope or expect, but in the same sense there is almost no greater joy than the joy that is found through relationships. And this truth extends into our life of faith as well. We practice our faith together, with other Christians. We learn from their experiences on the journey of faith and we support each other when we doubt or question. We often overlook the profound yet simple truth that being in community with others is a way of practicing our faith; it is a practice of discipleship.
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2025
January
February
Zombie ChurchFundamentalsFeasts & BanquetsAcademics & FaithShattering Our ExpectationsJesus didn't really mean that, right? Sacred Discomfort: How God Speaks in Uncomfortable MomentsThe Spirit IntercedesHappy Birthday JesusChristmas in JulyJoy in ListeningHope in the Midst of DoubtThe Gift of PresenceI'm too...Daily Bread and MindfulnessA Thousand Years is like a DaySacred Interruptions: How God Speaks Through Life's Detours
March
The Life was The Light of All PeopleWaiting PatientlyUnseenCreator God, I pray for the earth...God, I want to be better at...Holy Spirit, Help me UnderstandGod, Grant Me Patience WithThe Gospel of John - Guidance for LifeJesus Christ, Forgive Me ForThe Book of 1st Samuel - Trust During the BattlesGod of the Oppressed, protect those who are vulnerableEnduring Lord, I hope forPrince of Peace, Calm my Mind When...God, I wonder aboutThe Book of Hebrews - The Grand Story of SalvationBlessed Jesus, help me to let go ofHoly Jesus, we pray for your church
April
Preserving Lord, save me fromAwesome God, I am amazed byThe Joy of LentThe Book of 2nd Samuel - God's Redemptive PowerCompassionate God, I Weep ForThe Book of Acts - Being the ChurchPalm Sunday Spoken WordGenerous God, open my eyes to see...God, I needCursing the Fig Tree Spoken WordMaundy Thursday Spoken WordGood Friday Spoken WordThe Book of 1st Kings - Wisdom and DivisionHoly Saturday Spoken WordSing - Practice ResurrectionClean - Practice ResurrectionDo a Good Deed - Practice ResurrectionGrieve - Practice ResurrectionGive Thanks - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of Romans - The Saving Work of GodLive BoldlyPlant - Practice ResurrectionForgive Yourself - Practice ResurrectionCare for a friend - Practice Resurrection
May
Enjoy a Good Meal - Practice ResurrectionListen to Music - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 2nd Kings - Hope in ExileWorship - Practice ResurrectionAppreciate Art - Practice ResurrectionLaughter HelpsDrink Water - Practice ResurrectionWatch a Sunset - Practice ResurrectionStretch - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 1st Corinthians - Hope in the TurmoilThe Lord is My ShepherdBreathe - Practice ResurrectionRead - Practice ResurrectionCreate - Practice ResurrectionWalk or Run - Practice ResurrectionCall a Friend - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 1st Chronicles - God's Presence in HistoryLove in ActionFor Aging GracefullyForgive - Practice ResurrectionLearn - Practice ResurrectionWash - Practice ResurrectionExplore - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 2nd Corinthians - The Importance of ReconciliationGod Our ParentAdvocate - Practice ResurrectionLight a Candle - Practice ResurrectionTaste - Practice ResurrectionTake a Nap - Practice ResurrectionDonate - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 2nd Chronicles - Consequences of Unfaithfulness
June
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