Dig Deeper - Sunday 21st September 2025

22 Sept

Sermon Reflection Questions - God’s Community, In the Community, For the Community: In the Community - Where We Are.

Jeremiah 29:4-7

Dig Deeper notes from Sunday 21st September service:

When we consider the question “What has God called me to do in life?” it is a unique and personal question to us as individuals. But God doesn’t call us to work individually, He calls us to be a community.

A community is defined as “the people living in one particular area or people who are considered as a unit because of their common interests, social group or nationality.”

When I think about St John’s, I see a community. We are all very different in some ways, and all very similar in other ways, we all live and lead different lives and yet we meet each week to worship and celebrate our God and Saviour and to undertake His mission to grow the Kingdom of God.

If we read Genesis 1:28 it says “God blessed them and said to them, be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.” God’s plan has always been for us to be part of a community of people, that teach and tell others of Him and His glory.

In Acts 17:24-27 we read: “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands…From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries in their lands. God did this so they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any of us.”

God created us, not to walk the earth alone and do things on our own or in our own strength. He created us at a particular time, for a particular moment so that we would come together as a nation. He created us so that we would seek him, and look to him in our lives. He is an active God and he wants us to be present in the community around us.

Through the teachings and direction of Jesus, He grew a community of followers that would then continue His great work of helping and healing. We are all called to be witnesses of Jesus. We are called to reach out to those around us; to share our own experiences and testimonies with others so they too can get to know Jesus. Here at St. Johns, we not only have the opportunity to serve in the Walmley community, but also the Langley development. This land will house a new community, and so as plans move forward, we should be praying for that community to flourish, and for the people God calls there to meet with Him in that space.

If we read Jeremiah 29:4-7, The Lord instructed the Israelites to build homes and a life there, in the midst of exile. To marry and have children, to seek peace and prosperity in the place that they were, regardless that it didn’t seem like it was their “forever” land. Even in that moment of uncertainty, and in a place where they thought they were banished to, God had a plan and a purpose for them. To those people of Israel, Babylon was not a place they wanted to be. But God used them in that place for good. We each have a purpose every day to represent who Jesus is and how faithful He is. Whether that is at home, in our work place, in our schools, in the street. God has sent us to this place to shine His light into the lives of other people.

So, what can we do as children of God here in this community of Walmley and Langley?

Firstly, we need to pray. We are in this place to serve God in His mission for the people in our local areas. We should be praying as a community for this community.

Secondly, we must be faithful to God, and demonstrate His power and love for us and the communities He has placed us in. To be the light for others to see.

Thirdly, we must be active participants within our own communities. We need to work the ground, to prepare the soil, to plant and nurture so that the fruit that is produced is great and large in volume.

Discussion & Application Questions:

· Have a think about the community that you live in. Where can you see God working and what areas need prayer for God to reveal Himself?

· Take some time to pray and ask God to reveal what He is calling you to do within your community.

Let’s pray:

Heavenly Father thank you for calling us to be part of the church community of St Johns and the community of Walmley, Langley and beyond. For calling us all individually and bringing us together. We pray for guidance and wisdom as we go out and help connect with others in these areas. We ask that you equip us and enable us to go out and fulfil that calling you have placed on our lives.

In Your mighty name,

Amen.