August 6

It can be so easy to get in a routine of not attending church, especially when you have a big life change, like having a baby (I'm in that season right now so I know this all too well), but you can't fully grow into your faith without being connected to one.

Reminder: The Bible, Simplified is the perfect way to learn the storyline of the Bible. Click here to learn more and buy a copy.

Three Thoughts

The purpose of church is three-fold: To worship God, to be equipped, and to bring others in. That's why showing up matters more than we might think. Collectively worshipping God stirs us toward love and being equipped to become more like Jesus can only fully happen in a church community. Skipping church costs us in many ways.

HEBREWS 10:24-25

You are part of the Body of Christ, which means when you're missing or not living up to your purpose, there's a limp in the body. Whatever you have been assigned, nobody else can do your part. We need you just as much as you need us.

1 CORINTHIANS 12:27

The first church didn't have buildings and budgets. They had teaching and meals and prayer and each other. If being a part of a community feels complicated to you, simplify it. Learn something together. Eat something together. Pray together. That's the formula of the past two thousand years and it still works today.

ACTS 2:42

Two Quotes

Theologian John Wesley on individual faith:

"The Bible knows nothing of solitary religion."

Teacher and author Jennie Allen on community:

"We have to become people who stay."

Prayer

Dear God, sometimes I make my faith too private. It's easier to stay home, easier to keep people at a distance, easier to handle things myself. But you designed me to need your people. Today I ask for the courage to show up for others with humility. Amen.

Question

What's the real reason you've been keeping the church at arm's length?

P.S. I just received an email from my editor with all of the edits for my next book, How to Be a Christian!! There are hundreds of edits for me to go through 😳 Now I spend the next 4-8 weeks reviewing his suggestions, rewriting sections, improving sentences, cutting stories, adding stories, etc. This is where the real work begins!