Do you have a strong community? Do you have people to help you, encourage you, live life with? While we have always needed community and often times took it for granted, 2020 definitely helped us see the importance of community in our lives. We realized how lonely we were not interacting with friends and extended family. We realized online church just wasn’t the same. We craved human interaction and touch.
Why is Community Important?
Why is being part of a community important? Yeah, it’s nice to have friends and all, but do you really need community? First of all, the Bible tells us that we should be living in community with others. Also, there are many benefits to interacting with others in our lives.
Living in community gives us a better sense of well-being as well as helps us live more contented lives. Community pushes us to be more than we could ever be on our own and gives us a feeling of purpose and belonging.
What Does the Bible Say about Community?
The Bible actually has quite a bit to say about community. Sometimes we think we don’t need others in our lives and that life is better without the drama that others bring. However, over and over we are told to love others, encourage others, help others, and build others up. How can you do that if you’re not interacting with others? You can’t.
Let’s look at some key Bible verses about community. This first one is definitely a reminder that we are to be meeting together and encouraging one another.
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV
” that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:25-27
I love how the early church interacted with each other. I feel like this would be the ultimate community and we should strive for this in our lives today. No, I don’t plan on moving in with the neighbors, but how can we use our resources to help others more? Who can we invite over to share a meal?
“And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Acts 2:44-47
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:” 1 Peter 4:8-10
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17
As followers of Christ, we certainly need others in our lives. Not only is it what God wants from us, but check out the following benefits of community.
The Importance of Community: Key Benefits
I’ve already talked a bit about why community is important, but there are quite a few other benefits of community in our lives. I think we often take community for granted, but speaking from experience, when you don’t have family around and you have an emergency, it’s amazing to be able to have people willing to help you out! I’ve even had help from people I didn’t know because they knew how important it was to show Christ’s love by helping those in need.
Living in community gives us:
- Connections with others. We don’t need to feel alone.
- Support when we need it.
- Safety and security.
- Positive influence. Well, this is the case if you’re in a positive community. This is why it’s important to have godly close friends.
- Ways to learn and grow from others.
- Opportunities to work together: to share strengths and overcome weaknesses.
- Love. We have opportunities to both give and receive love.
- Shared goals and faith. We can encourage and help each other in both personal goals and our faith walk.
- Togetherness. This is that sense of belonging.
- Sharing of resources.
The importance of community engagement
Living in community gives many personal benefits, but it’s also important to realize that community engagement helps the community as a whole. Communities grow and flourish as more of us become involved. Why is community engagement important?
- Gives more perspectives than your own. God made us each in a different way. We all see things differently and think differently. This gives more perspectives to an issue than just yours.
- Benefits and helps others in the community. As you engage, others are impacted.
- Supplies more creative and effective solutions to problems. Working together gives better solutions to problems that impact the group.
- Helps with problem-solving. Many different backgrounds and skill levels come together to help provide the best solutions to issues.
- Increases communication and decision-making skills.
- Increases trust within the community. When you are involved in your community, trust is built as others see how much you care.
As moms, unless we prioritize our relationship with God, it can easily fall by the wayside. Learn more about growing closer to God. As we grow closer to Him, we become a better wife and mother as well.
Community for Moms
As a stay-at-home mom, it’s especially important for you to build community in your life. If you’re not careful, especially if you’re an introvert, you will spend your days at home or running errands with your children. You won’t put yourself out there to make friends with those at your church or in your neighborhood. You will feel lonely and forgotten.
On the flip side, once you see that God desires community for you and that it will benefit you in so many ways, you begin to invest yourself. You are then encouraged, strengthened, and validated in your role as a mom. You have others to ask for advice or help you problem solve. You have help if you need it. You have friends to push you in your faith.
Here are some great ways to find a community as a mom. It can be hard, but it’s so worth it!
- MOPS. MOPS International (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) is a great way to connect with other moms in your area. As a young mom, I loved my time in MOPS.
- Join a Bible study such as one at your church or Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). Many churches have a women’s Bible study that you could join. A Bible study will give you fellowship and community as well as increase your knowledge of God and His Word.
- Consistently go to a neighborhood park or other community area. Don’t be afraid to strike up conversations with those who are also there. In time, you may find a great friend.
- Practice hospitality. Don’t be afraid to invite a neighbor over for coffee.
- Online communities. There are many Facebook Christian mom groups or even online Bible studies. An online Bible study will give you the chance to interact with others. Facebook groups also give this opportunity, but I wouldn’t use these to replace in person community. Mom groups especially can give a bit more help with certain issues or seasons of life, but real community is best.
Finding Community
Do you already have a community in your life? Do you have friends or family who will help you when you need it, encourage you in your walk with God, and come alongside you in your parenting? If not, use some of these suggestions to find like-minded moms and even older women to build relationships with. The Psalmist had it right when he said:
“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” Psalm 133:1
You may also find these helpful:
Get the Basics on Biblical Hospitality
15 Ways to Serve Others as a Family
