Values Series

Written By Citylight Bennington

WEEK 3: Community (IN)

The following discussion guide is based off of Pastor Glenn’s message on Citylights’ 3rd value: Community

Question:

When have you felt most connected to a community or group? What made that experience special?

PART 1: Our Need for Community (20 mins)

Summary:

Humans are deeply social by design. Isolation, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, causes deep suffering. We are created in the image of a communal God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do you think loneliness has such a deep impact on us?

  2. Have you ever experienced isolation or loneliness that affected your mental, emotional, or spiritual health? What helped you through it?

  3. How does knowing God is relational (Trinity) help us understand our need for community?

Scripture:

  • Genesis 1:26 – “Let us make man in our image…”

  • Proverbs 18:1 – “Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire…”

PART 2: Barriers to Community (20 mins)

Summary:

Despite our longing for connection, we often avoid community. Why? Because of cultural conditioning, digital distraction, busyness, transience, and fear rooted in the fall.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Which of these barriers do you most resonate with: busyness, digital distraction, transience, low emotional awareness, or something else?

  2. How has individualism shaped your view of friendship and community?

  3. How can we resist the cultural norms that isolate us?

Scripture:

  • Galatians 6:2 – “Bear one another’s burdens…”

  • 1 Peter 5:8 – “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion…”

  • Genesis 3 – The origin of shame, hiding, and blame

PART 3: Jesus Redeems Community (25 mins)

Summary:

Jesus creates a new people — unified not by background, preferences, or politics, but by His blood. The church is not just a gathering; it's a new humanity, a family formed by the cross.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What stood out to you about how Jesus unifies people from all backgrounds (Ephesians 2)?

  2. In what ways have you experienced unity with other believers despite differences?

  3. Why is Christian community worth investing in, even when it’s hard or slow?

Scripture:

  • Ephesians 2:13-22 – Jesus has made us one… a new humanity… citizens together.

  • 1 Peter 1:18-19 – We were bought with the precious blood of Christ.

  • Romans 12:4-8 – We all have different gifts, but we are one body.

PART 4: Living It Out (20 mins)

Summary:

Christian community is an active, Spirit-led process. It’s marked by vulnerability, mutual support, contribution, and submission to God's Word.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Which of these community values are strongest in your life right now? Which one needs growth?

    • Submitting to God’s Word

    • Welcoming the weak

    • Contributing with your gifts

    • Vulnerability with others

  2. What would it look like for you to take one next step toward deeper community?

  3. How can we be a community that pushes past comfort to become family?

Scripture:

  • Romans 15:1,7 – Welcome others as Christ welcomed you.

  • James 5:16 – Confess your sins to one another…

  • 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – Scripture trains us for every good work.

  • 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – Love in action.

Application & Next Steps (5-10 mins)

Reflect & Respond:

  • Is God inviting you to open up to someone in this group?

  • Is there a way you can serve or contribute in the community/church?

  • Do you need to forgive someone or take a risk to trust again?

Closing Prayer (5 mins)

Pray for the Spirit to bind your group in love, unity, and purpose. Ask for courage to step into deeper community.

Citylight Bennington
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Values Series