Community // Circle are Better Than Rows

COMMUNITY // CIRCLES ARE BETTER THAN ROWS

“Your friends determine the quality and direction of your life.” -Andy Stanley

Circles are better than rows

Mark 2:1-4 NIV

1 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on.

Mark 2:4 NIV

4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on.

In Circles We Carry Each Others Mats

Hebrews 13:16 NIV

16 And do not forget to do good and to SHARE with others, for with such SACRIFICES God is pleased.

In Circles We Do The Hard Work

Galatians 6:2 NIV

2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Romans 12:10 ESV

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

John 15:13 NIV

13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

In Circles We Bring Others Closer To Jesus

“Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.” -Helen Keller

Mark 2:5 NIV

5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Mark 2:5-12 NIV

5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

4. In Circles Opposition Can’t Overtake You

Questions:

1. What have been your experiences in regards to doing life together with other Believers in a more personal way?

2.When you meditate on that phrase “circles are better than rows”, what thoughts come to mind? How does it resonate with you?

3.What are ways that you can begin today to move from the row into a circle?