Lesson 5: Transparency and Restoration in Community

This week's lie:

“If I admit I’ve done something wrong, people will think I’m not a Christian.” That’s the lie. Don’t believe it!

Here is the truth:

“We need fellowship and accountability in Christian community to stay right with God.”

Have you ever felt like your slip was showing, in a figurative sense? That is, people all around you are aware of something about you that you're not aware of? Sort of like the woman who exits the ladies' room with a piece of toilet paper stuck to her heel, trailing behind her?

In my house, PMS stands for "Petty Menstrual Syndrome." I can get incredibly stressed out right before that time of the month, but I always attribute my angst and short fuse to "too much to do," "too many people who need help," or "the blues." This last month the husband called my bluff. He told me all would be well in about two days. And he was exactly right! On my own, I never realized how much the "monthly curse" affects me emotionally. I needed someone else to help clarify the truth, to give me a new perspective. To help me to know that all would be well.

We all need that! In fact, it might surprise you to know that the Bible was written to be received in community, not just for the individual. God so often speaks to us as His collective body, but we're so tuned in to our individualistic American culture that we're tuned out to the beauty of what He wants to accomplish in us as His church, His bride.

Don't miss this week's lesson--my prayer is that you will walk away extremely relieved that you can a) get real about where you're at and be transparent with other believers and b) walking through life with "folks" or "community" can help protect you and help all of us to experience God's love in ways we never dreamed possible. See you Thursday!

James 5:13-16

“Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”