Best Recipe for Growing As a Christian During the Covid-19 Pandemic

So how’s this whole social distancing and “Stay Home and Stay Safe” thing working out for ya?

We’ve been at this for about a month and no one is sure when things will start getting back to “normal.”

Here’s the thing: whether we are living our “normal” lives or we are living under the Covid-19 pandemic what God expects from us hasn’t changed one bit. God still expects us to be growing and maturing as Christians. God still expects us to be making an impact for the good and for his kingdom purposes.

God’s will for our lives haven’t changed one bit.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the best recipe for disciples to grow was by prioritizing and committing to Worship, Community, and Service. These three habits of discipleship are still true even though our circumstances have changed.

So, here’s what I am challenging you to think about: How are you committed to and prioritizing Worship, Community, and Service?

Worship

• While worshiping in social isolation is not the same as worshiping as a corporate body, did you know that God absolutely considers this as worship?
• Worshiping God has more to do with our attitude and our preparation for worship than it does with other external factors. Come on. Admit it. There were times when you were present for worship in the sanctuary, but you were not at all mentally and spiritually present. That’s a problem whether we are meeting in person or by the internet
• Worship has to do with our attitude and preparation. What is absolutely clear is that God delights to bless us when we show up with the attitude of expectation to meet God. If that’s the case, God will absolutely bless us whether we are meeting at the sanctuary or in our homes

Community

• The way we have been practicing community is by small groups. The small groups continue to meet
• If you are not in a small group and would like to be in one for weekly gatherings by Zoom, let us know. We would be happy to include you in one of our many small groups that are meeting
• At the beginning, I encouraged you to make a list of three people to call every day to check in with them. More than ever, we need to be present in the lives of one another. While we can’t do that in person, we can still be present by using a tool everyone already has: our phones
• I know. Some of you are not comfortable calling people. But who doesn’t like receiving a hand written note or a card? So, if you’re uncomfortable with making a phone call, write a hand written note or a card to let someone know you are thinking of them
• Community. There are ways we can stay in touch even though we are in social distancing

Service

• If God is growing in us, God’s impact is growing through us. That’s how it works. This is true whether we are social distancing or whether we are back to “normal” life
• The reason why God grows us is so that God’s impact and influence grows in our world
• So, how do you see God at work in your life to impact the people around you?
• What are some things you can do to bless the lives of the people around you?

Wouldn’t it be fun and amazing when get back together as a congregation to hear about all the stories of how God used this time of social distancing to grow each of us in our faith journey?