WHY IT MATTERS //
As members of Revive we are Committed to Jesus and Committed to one another. This commitment (also known as koinonia) is one of the pillars of our ReviveHOMES; It sets a foundation for us to grow and mature in community. Each unique ReviveHOME is a local expression of the same DNA that God has given us as a family of churches. Over the next weeks we will explore together our shared convictions, our identity and the Kingdom mission God has called us to accomplish in unity.
When Revive began God gave our leaders a specific scripture that helped them understand the mission of our movement: Isaiah 61:4. We believe that we are people called to be a part of the work that God is doing on the Earth to “Revive The Way”. The early believers were first called followers of the way, as Jesus himself said “I am the The Way…”. We believe we are called to return (and help others return) to the purity of following Jesus. We also believe that we are a movement to “bring church back home”. This statement carries 3 meanings to us:
To bring church back to its origin; the focus on the basic foundations of faith and practice embraced by the early church.
To bring spiritual health and discipleship back to the family unit and also to set the lonely into spiritual and practical family.
To bring church back to the place of intimacy by gathering in actual homes in a format that cultivates growth and mutual commitment.
WHAT IT’S TALKING ABOUT //
2. To bring spiritual health and discipleship back to the family unit and also to set the lonely into spiritual and practical family.
The family is the original community that we belong to. Healthy family experiences build health and stability in their members. Parents are responsible to train and disciple their children, however the benefit of spiritual community is invaluable as we also take up the role to serve and love one another’s families. The setting of spiritual family also creates space for those without naturally healthy environments to belong and grow together in deeply-committed relationships.
Psalm 127:3-4 NLT
3 Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him. 4 Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.
Proverbs 22:6 NLT
6 Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.
Ephesians 6:4 NLT
4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.
Psalm 68:6 NLT
6 God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
Romans 12:5 NLT
5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.