Day 5 – The Renewal of Community
Scripture:
Romans 15:1–2, 5–7 – “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up… May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”
Devotional Thought:
Renewal happens in community. Always has. Always will.
When the church gathers — not just on Sundays, but throughout the week — something sacred happens. The Spirit moves among us. Faith is strengthened. Healing begins. Hope is restored. The lonely find belonging, and the weary find rest.
But for that renewal to take root, we have to show up — not as spectators, but as participants. The church isn’t a show to attend; it’s a body to belong to. You’re not just called to come — you’re called to contribute.
Paul’s words remind us that maturity in faith looks like this:
Bearing others’ burdens.
Encouraging those who are weary.
Putting others’ good above our own comfort.
When we do that — when we live out genuine, sacrificial community — we reflect the heart of Jesus, who didn’t avoid the mess but entered it.
Community is where renewal happens because community is where love gets tested, refined, and made real.
God’s plan to renew His people has always been communal — through His Spirit in the Church, through believers discipling one another, through shared lives that point back to Him.
So, if you’ve been spiritually dry, disconnected, or stagnant… the solution may not be “more content.” It might be more community.
Reflection Questions:
- Am I contributing to the renewal of my community, or am I only consuming from it?
- Who can I encourage, serve, or disciple this week — someone I can help strengthen in faith?
- How is God calling me to grow deeper roots in my church community — through serving, leading, or simply showing up faithfully?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for placing me in Your body — the Church. Forgive me for the times I’ve treated community as optional or inconvenient. Renew my heart with love for Your people. Help me to bear burdens, to build others up, and to glorify You together in unity. Amen.
Daily Practice:
Before the week ends, do something that builds real connection:
Invite a family over for dinner.
Join a Bible study or serve on a team.
Offer prayer for someone face-to-face.
Let your presence become a vessel for renewal in someone else’s life.