In our ongoing series, "Blueprints," we are focusing on developing everyday rhythms for spiritual maturity and intentional discipleship at home. This week, we delved into the second pillar: church engagement. We began with a touching story about Tammy Harris, who found her birth mother through a series of providential events, illustrating our innate desire for connection and family. This longing for relationships is a reflection of how God created us—not to be alone but to be in community.
We explored the concept of church engagement through the lens of Ephesians 2:19-22, where Paul speaks about Gentiles no longer being strangers but citizens and members of God's family. This passage emphasizes that following Jesus is a "we" life, not a "me" life. We are part of a larger community, a nation, and a family, and we are the building blocks of God's holy temple. This collective identity calls us to be intentional about our engagement with the church.
We discussed practical steps for church engagement, starting with big group worship and small group involvement. These are the foundational on-ramps for deeper church engagement. We also touched on other ways to engage, such as serving in various ministries, participating in church activities, and staying on mission by living out the vision of our church. The key is to be intentional and to write down and calendar these commitments.
I shared a personal story about how church engagement profoundly impacted my life, emphasizing that being present and engaged in church activities can be life-changing. The Spirit of God often moves in these settings, leading to spiritual growth and transformation.
