Course 03 · Shared life with God’s people

Live in Community

Jesus does not only save individuals; he gathers a people. These five lessons explore a community shaped by love, the cross, covenant faithfulness, servant leadership and the contribution of every member.

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Connected to the love of God

Live a life of love

Big idea: Christian community begins in God’s love. Because he loved us first, we learn to love God and every neighbour with truth expressed in practical action.

A conversation for reflection

Solveig: Love can become a beautiful word that means very little if it never reaches everyday life.

Erling: Jesus gives the word a face. We learn love by looking at him—the One who gave himself for us while we were still sinners.

Solveig: And that changes how we see other people?

Erling: Yes. Every person bears God-given worth. We cannot claim to love God while despising the people he loves.

Read

Matthew 22:34–40 · John 13:1, 34–35 · Romans 5:5–8 · 1 Corinthians 13:1–7 · 1 John 3:16–18 · 1 John 4:7–21

God’s love is the source, pattern and power of Christian love. We do not create it through willpower. The Holy Spirit pours God’s love into our hearts, and we respond to the One who first loved us. Loving God involves the whole person—heart, mind, strength and daily choices. It becomes visible as worship, obedience and a desire to walk in his ways.

Love of God cannot be separated from love of neighbour. Our neighbour includes family, fellow believers, strangers and even enemies. Love seeks another person’s true good. It refuses contempt, dishonesty and exploitation. It helps, shares, welcomes, forgives, speaks truth and carries burdens. Love can also correct, protect and set boundaries; it never requires us to hide abuse or allow harm to continue.

Love grows through practice. Small acts of patience, hospitality and generosity form a life. In community, we learn both to give and to receive. The goal is not a polished appearance but a people through whom others can recognise the character of Jesus.

Reflect

Which quality from 1 Corinthians 13 most challenges you?
Who is easy—and difficult—for you to treat as a valued neighbour?

Together

Tell one another about a practical act of love you have received. What made it meaningful?

Live it out

Choose one person and express love in a concrete action this week—without expecting something in return.

Mark lesson completeAsk the Guide about Christian love ↗

Self-giving love and new life

Embrace the way of the cross

Big idea: The cross is both the centre of God’s saving work and the pattern of self-giving love that shapes the life of a disciple.

A conversation for reflection

Erling: At the cross, what looked like weakness and defeat became God’s wisdom and victory.

Solveig: We receive what Jesus accomplished before we speak about carrying our own cross.

Erling: Exactly. We do not save ourselves by sacrifice. But because we are united with Christ, self-centred ambition no longer has to rule us.

Solveig: Then carrying the cross means becoming free to love and serve.

Read

Luke 9:23–26 · Luke 14:25–33 · Romans 6:6–11 · Galatians 2:19–20 · Philippians 2:3–11 · 1 Peter 2:21–25

Jesus’ historical death and resurrection stand at the heart of the gospel. He carried our sin and reconciled us to God. Through faith and baptism, we are joined to him: the old self is counted as crucified, and Christ’s resurrection life becomes our new source. Grace comes first. We do not carry a cross to earn forgiveness.

Yet grace also teaches us a new way of living. To take up the cross is to surrender self-rule, reputation and selfish ambition to Jesus. It is the willingness to obey him when obedience is costly and to put another person’s good before our own advantage. This does not mean accepting abuse, erasing healthy personhood or allowing a powerful person to demand unquestioning submission. Jesus gave himself freely in love and entrusted his cause to the just Father.

The cross leads to resurrection life. When pride, rivalry and revenge lose their hold, the Spirit forms compassion, humility, forgiveness and courage. The way down with Jesus becomes the way into freedom and fruitful community.

Reflect

Where does self-protection keep you from loving well?
How can you distinguish Christlike sacrifice from unhealthy control?

Together

Discuss one ordinary situation where Philippians 2 could change the way you relate to others.

Live it out

Give up one demand to be noticed or to have your own way, and use that freedom to help another person flourish.

Mark lesson completeAsk the Guide about carrying the cross ↗

A living people centred on Jesus

Become the community Jesus builds

Big idea: The church is a living community called by Jesus to learn his ways, care for one another and share his good news with the world.

A conversation for reflection

Solveig: Church is often described as a building, an event or an organisation.

Erling: But the New Testament points first to a people Jesus calls together. He is the builder, the cornerstone and the head.

Solveig: What makes that people recognisably his?

Erling: They remain in the apostles’ teaching, shared life, the breaking of bread and prayer. They care for one another and invite others into life with Jesus.

Read

Matthew 16:13–19 · Matthew 28:18–20 · Acts 2:37–47 · Ephesians 2:19–22 · 1 Peter 2:4–10 · Colossians 1:15–20

Jesus builds his church on the revelation of who he is: the Messiah, the Son of the living God. The church belongs to him. It receives life, identity and direction from him and represents his kingdom in the world. It is not meant to become an inward-looking religious club, nor an institution built around one gifted personality.

The first Christian community devoted itself to teaching, fellowship, meals and prayer. It was a community of disciples—people still learning to obey Jesus. It was caring and outward-looking, sharing resources, welcoming new people and bearing witness to Christ. Small gatherings in homes can make room for honest relationships, participation and practical care, while remaining joined to the wider body of Christ.

The book describes the church as a covenant community: people who willingly commit themselves to faithful love under the new covenant in Jesus. Such commitment is mutual, transparent and shaped by grace. It must never be used to trap people, silence concerns or demand loyalty to leaders above Christ. A healthy covenant community helps people belong, grow, serve and become mature in Jesus.

Reflect

Which picture of the church—family, body, temple or people—helps you most?
Where do you experience real shared life rather than simply attending meetings?

Together

Compare your community with Acts 2:42. Celebrate one strength and name one area for growth.

Live it out

Invite someone into a simple meal, prayer or Bible conversation. Make space for them to contribute.

Mark lesson completeAsk the Guide about church and covenant ↗

Leaders who equip the whole body

Receive gifts that equip the church

Big idea: Jesus gives servant leaders to equip every believer, protect the community and help the whole body grow in love and mission.

A conversation for reflection

Erling: Leadership in the church begins with a gift from the risen Christ, not a hunger for position.

Solveig: How do we know whether a ministry gift is functioning well?

Erling: It equips other people. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers do not gather ministry around themselves; they help the saints serve.

Solveig: Character, teamwork and accountability must matter as much as gifting.

Read

Ephesians 2:19–22 · Ephesians 4:7–16 · Acts 13:1–3 · Acts 20:17, 28–35 · 1 Timothy 3:1–13 · 1 Peter 5:1–5

Ephesians names five equipping gifts: apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers. Apostles help lay foundations and extend the work into new places. Prophets strengthen people through God-centred insight. Evangelists communicate the good news and help others witness. Shepherds care for the flock, and teachers help people understand and practise Scripture. These ministries overlap and work best in relationship with one another.

Local elders provide mature, plural oversight. They lead by example, feed and protect the flock and watch over themselves as well as others. Deacons are recognised servants who carry practical responsibility with integrity. Titles do not make anyone important; faithful service and godly character do. No leader replaces Jesus, the head of the church, or the Spirit’s work in every believer.

Healthy leaders do not use fear, prophecy or claims of authority to control people. They welcome questions, share responsibility, act transparently and address abuse and wrongdoing. Their success is seen when others become secure in Christ, equipped to serve and able to discern God’s will.

Reflect

What is the purpose of the five gifts in Ephesians 4?
Which qualities make spiritual leadership trustworthy?

Together

Name people whose ministry has equipped you. Thank God for them and consider how you can encourage them.

Live it out

Ask a mature leader for one practical way you can grow and serve—not merely receive.

Mark lesson completeAsk the Guide about ministry gifts ↗

Every member has a part

Serve one another

Big idea: Every believer is needed. God gives different graces so the whole body can grow as each person serves others.

A conversation for reflection

Solveig: People can feel insignificant when their contribution is not public.

Erling: But a body needs hidden parts as much as visible ones. God gives each member a place.

Solveig: How do we discover that place?

Erling: Begin serving. Notice what brings life, what meets real needs and what trusted people recognise in you. Gifts grow through faithful use.

Read

Romans 12:3–13 · 1 Corinthians 12:4–27 · Ephesians 4:11–16 · Philippians 2:1–5 · 1 Peter 4:8–11

The church is one body with many members. Unity does not erase difference, and difference need not create competition. The eye cannot dismiss the hand, and the hand need not imitate the eye. Comparison produces either inferiority or pride. Grace teaches us to receive our place gratefully and honour what God has given others.

Your contribution may grow from natural ability, life experience, spiritual gifting or a need God puts before you. Ask: What do I do with joy and faith? What helps other people? What fruit and feedback do trustworthy believers see? Then practise, learn and accept correction. Leaders should develop people rather than exploit their labour for personal projects.

Christian service is fundamentally “one another” life: honour, welcome, encourage, forgive, teach, pray, share, carry burdens and show hospitality. Gifts are not possessions that prove status; they are expressions of God’s varied grace entrusted to us for others. The whole body grows when each part does its work in love.

Reflect

What gifts, experience or compassion has God placed in you?
Where have comparison or fear kept you from contributing?

Together

Let each person receive one specific, honest encouragement about a strength others recognise in them.

Live it out

Choose one “one another” command and practise it this week. Ask someone for feedback and keep learning.

Mark lesson completeAsk the Guide about finding your place ↗

Continue together

Community is a life we share

You have completed the course, but Christian community is learned through years of loving, forgiving, serving and following Jesus together. Take your next step with real people in a healthy local fellowship.

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Course source: Finn din plass 3: Lev fellesskap, Erling Thu (2004). Adapted for the Academy. The conversations are teaching dialogues created for this course, not transcripts.