Once, there was a man named Nehemiah. He was a Jewish exile living in Persia and held a prestigious position as cup bearer to the king, ensuring that every drink served was safe for the king’s consumption.

One of the Jewish brothers visited Nehemiah and reported that the walls of Jerusalem were broken, and its gates had been burned with fire.

Nehemiah was overwhelmed by the news and felt heartbroken. He mourned, fasted, and prayed to God for mercy. He asked God to allow him to return and assist his people. It was highly unlikely that the king would permit Nehemiah to go back to Jerusalem to rebuild its walls. The king needed him.

Nehemiah continued to pray, and an opportunity arose for him to make his request to the king. The king was pleased to send Nehemiah! God granted Nehemiah favor. A date was set, and arrangements were made to supply the timber and other materials needed.

The Jewish enemies opposed the rebuilding of the wall. They discouraged and threatened Nehemiah, spread false rumors about him, and attempted to halt the construction. Nevertheless, Nehemiah persevered, and the walls, with a circumference of 2.5 miles, were completed in just 52 days!

Nehemiah is the man credited with rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, but he clearly could not have done it alone. He rallied the community for this holy cause, which included the men of Israel, the men of Bethlehem, the priests, the Levites, the musicians, the gatekeepers, the temple servants, and the descendants of the servants of Solomon. Nehemiah led them effectively. Each family was assigned a specific section of the wall to rebuild. As all of God’s people worked together under Nehemiah’s leadership, they accomplished an incredible feat.

Like Nehemiah, we need one another. You can’t become more like Jesus in isolation. You NEED community.

Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,  not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

No church is perfect because people can be messy. Ideally, a Jesus-centered community provides support, encouragement, and a sense of belonging. It fosters spiritual growth and shared experiences. It’s a place where individuals can find strength and accountability in their spiritual journeys, creating a communal space for love and growth. 

Western Christians find practicing community challenging because of our tradition of individualism and aversion to authority. Community requires sacrificing some privacy and rights. It often involves adapting to different ways of doing things. Living life together entails becoming vulnerable at times, acknowledging our weaknesses and needs. It also involves addressing these needs and demonstrating strength on behalf of others when necessary. Communal life means being willing to submit to the family of God, particularly to those whom God has placed in positions of ordained office—Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers.

Spiritual formation within the community context requires sacrifice. However, Jesus sacrificed His life for us to be one, just as He and the Father are one.

But whatever the costs, we must learn to live in community. We must learn to deal with our differences in a biblical manner. We must work together on the mutual call to build God’s kingdom. We must live as the body of Christ, where every part of the community cares for every other part. We must rediscover what it means to live shared lives of generosity, mercy, friendship, and hospitality. Many of these virtues of the ancient church have been lost over time. It’s time to be awakened by the Holy Spirit.

Western spirituality often considers church community an optional complement to our personal relationship with Jesus. Many act as if God alone is sufficient and that other Christians are completely unnecessary. “Worshiping in your own way” has supplanted church gatherings. However, the Bible directs us otherwise.

In the creation account, God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground” (Genesis 1:26 NLT).

“Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us…” This is the first mention of the Trinity. We know there is one God. The “us” refers to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. One God, three persons. God Himself is a community.

The Trinity created Adam.

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him” (Genesis 2:18 NLT).

But Adam wasn’t alone; he had all the animals God had created, and God Himself walked with him. What else did Adam need? He needed human community.

God created us with a need for others.

So, God created Eve. Understanding the original language of the Bible is crucial. If you interpret the word “helper” through the lens of our current culture, you’ll think of an assistant or someone who provides help. This evokes an image of someone who is subservient, less than, or not equal. Like many other languages, one cannot directly translate a single word to another. It may require a phrase to convey the intended meaning. This also applies to the word “helper.”

“Helper” can be defined as:
One who stands eye to eye.
A complement that makes each other whole.
A counterpart.
An ally.

In our best situations, we need one another. 1 Corinthians 12:26-27 (NLT) says, “If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.”

We are all part of the body of Christ. This call for community extends beyond merely attending Sunday worship services for an hour and a half. It involves cultivating strong and supportive relationships with Jesus-minded friends, both inside and outside the church.

The early church nurtured deep relationships. As followers of the Jesus Way, they were often misunderstood, which encouraged them to stick together and remain united.

Acts 2:42-47 NIV
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Every day, these followers of Jesus met in the temple courts, but there was more. They gathered in small groups in homes and spent time together. They learned the apostles’ teachings, shared meals and Holy Communion, and prayed together.

Our schedules would need significant adjustments to meet every day. However, we could meet more than once a week if we prioritize it. Spiritual formation can take place in community groups or small groups. It’s not guaranteed if interactions remain surface-level.

Groups are life-giving when they embody depth, vulnerability, and commitment to spiritual transformation.

I feel blessed to meet with an accountability partner every Monday. Our meetings always begin by asking, “How is your soul?”

God desires us to become more like Jesus as we follow the Jesus Way. You can’t do it alone; you need community.