In our individualistic culture, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that Christianity is primarily a personal journey between “me and Jesus.” However, the words of Nikolaus Zinzendorf remind us, “there can be no Christianity without community.” The Moravian community profoundly embraced this concept, which flourished in intentional relationships and communal spiritual discipline, resulting in global evangelism. Let’s explore how this model, rooted in the example of Jesus in the Gospels, shaped the first-century church and how we can practically engage with other Christians in worshiping God together.
1. Embracing Intentional Relationships and Communal Spiritual Discipline
The Moravian community provides a powerful example of the transformative power of intentional relationships and communal spiritual discipline. Living in close-knit communities fostered an environment that supported one another in their faith journey. These relationships were not superficial but grounded in genuine love, accountability, and support. Through regular communal practices such as prayer, Scripture reading, and worship, the Moravians experienced spiritual growth and unity.
2. Modeling After Jesus’ Ministry
Dave Earley notes that even Jesus, the Son of God, prioritized community in His ministry. Jesus spent significant time developing the spiritual discipline of the apostles, teaching and nurturing them into strong, devoted followers (Mark 3:13-14). This discipleship model laid the foundation for the early Christian community and emphasized the importance of being actively involved in a worshipping community to grow in faith (Spiritual Formation Is, 158).
3. The First Century Church: A Model of Community Worship
The first-century church exemplified a beautiful display of genuine community worship. They shared life together, sharing their resources and supporting each other’s needs (Acts 2:44-45). They regularly gathered to read the Scriptures, pray, and engage in fellowship (Acts 2:42). This close-knit community knew one another deeply, practiced love and service towards each other, actively listened, shared meals, and worshiped together by merely being in each other’s presence. (Hammett, Biblical Foundations for Baptist Church, 221) The Holy Spirit used this intimate fellowship to mold them into the image of Christ.
4. Moving Beyond “It’s About My Relationship with Jesus”
We must embrace active involvement in a worshipping Christian community to break free from the notion that Christianity is solely about individual faith. Here are some practical ways to engage with other Christians in worshiping God together:
Join a Local Church: Regularly attend a local church where you can build meaningful relationships with fellow believers, participate in corporate worship, and grow together through communal spiritual disciplines (John 17:20-21).
Join a Small Group: Participate in a small group Bible study or prayer group within your church. These gatherings offer a deeper level of connection and support as you study God’s Word together. J. I. Packer states, “how can God’s one family, locally and denominationally separated, be enabled to look like one family?… By wisdom in structuring and small groups within congregations.” (The Church in Christian Thought, 1996)
Serve Together: Engage in service projects or outreach programs as a community. Serving alongside others creates a bond and fosters a sense of purpose in advancing God’s Kingdom together (1 Cor 12:21).
Practice Hospitality: Invite others into your home for meals, prayer, or fellowship. Hospitality cultivates an atmosphere of openness and love within the community.
Pray for One Another: Regularly intercede in prayer for your fellow believers. Praying for each other’s needs strengthens the sense of unity and support. “Praying for and with one another is what separates a Christ-centered small group from a civic club.” Dempsey, Spiritual Formation Is, 168).
Christianity is not just about “me and Jesus”; it’s about being part of a worshipping community that reflects the model of Christ and the early church. It is a community that “spurs one another on to love and good works” (Heb 10:24-25). The Moravian community teaches us the power of intentional relationships and communal spiritual discipline in achieving global evangelism. By actively engaging with other Christians in worshiping God together, we deepen our faith, grow in Christlikeness, and demonstrate the transformative impact of true Christian community to the world around us.
Josh Cehulik 