Discussion 3: Christ-Like presence in the community (3%)

[Dave]

1. Describe what a humble, Christ-like presence of the church in communities means, and give
examples of how this could be applied in practice.

Humility is a biblical characteristic that can be defined as the capacity to be without pride,
arrogance, or egotism. Jesus Christ is by far the best example of One who humbly followed God
the Father’s plan.

You need to explain what power there is in establishing and developing a humble, Christlike presence in communities based on the above-mentioned statement.

• How does this virtue of humility build bridges in a community?

[Obedience017]

Serving others without expecting anything in return or influence is a sign of a humble leader, Christlike presence in communities. I always look Jesus for the true example of Humility , who put the needs of others above His own in order to draw people nearer to God. By encouraging transparency, empathy, and trust, humility creates bridges. It gives people a secure place to interact without fear and enables the church to reach out to people without passing judgement. The church demonstrates its genuine concern for the welfare of others rather than its own interests when it humbly listens to the needs of the community. Here are some instances of humility in action:

1. Serving without expecting anything in return, such as cleaning up the neighbourhood or volunteering at shelters without looking for recognition.
2. Hearing and appreciating the opinions of others — interacting with the community in meetings to learn about their issues.
3. Avoiding superiority: Working respectfully and understandingly with people from diverse origins or religions.
4. Compassion for the Marginalised: Offering shameless assistance to the underprivileged or people dealing with mental health issues.
5. Cooperating with other organisations: Showing that you are willing to share the load by addressing community issues with local groups. By establishing sincere connections and promoting harmony and reconciliation, humility enables the church to become a valued and essential component of the community.

[nelsonbradley@live.com]

A humble, Christ-like church serves others with love and without seeking praise or recognition, which follows Jesus’ example of compassion and service. Instead of imposing itself, it listens, learns, and walks alongside the community, building trust and unity.
Humility breaks down barriers and encourages healing by treating everyone equally and serving without expecting recognition.

A humble church builds bridges by:
1. Listening and learning, understanding community needs and partnering with local organizations to offer support.
2. Serving without seeking credit like providing meals and helping those in need without looking for praise.
3. Caring for the weak, neglected, and poor, supporting the homeless, visiting prisoners, tutoring students, and sheltering the vulnerable.

A truly humble church reflects Jesus’ love through action, transforming communities and drawing people closer to God.

[Collins Omondi]

A Christ-like presence in the community involves modeling Jesus’ teachings through actions, words, and attitudes, creating a loving and supportive environment where everyone feels welcomed and valued. This can be achieved by actively engaging in acts of service, showing compassion, and demonstrating the transformative power of faith in daily interactions.
Walking the Talk:
A Christ-like presence isn’t just about saying the right things; it’s about embodying the message of love and compassion in daily life. This can involve volunteering time, offering a helping hand to a neighbor, or simply listening with empathy to someone’s struggles.
Building Bridges:
Jesus was a bridge-builder, connecting with people from all walks of life. A Christ-like presence in the community means seeking out those who may feel marginalized or different, and extending a welcoming hand. It’s about creating an environment where everyone feels safe to be their authentic selves.
Serving with Humility:
Jesus taught the importance of humility and service. A Christ-like presence in the community means putting others’ needs before our own, and serving with a spirit of humility and selfless love.
Sharing the Good News:
A core aspect of a Christ-like presence is sharing the good news of Jesus with others. This can be done through personal testimonies, sharing scripture, or simply living a life that radiates the joy and hope found in faith.
Praying for Peace and Unity:
Jesus taught the importance of prayer and seeking God’s will. A Christ-like presence in the community can involve praying for the needs of the community, for peace and unity, and for the spread of God’s love.

[setinamapere@gmail.com]

The best example to use is that of the Apostle Paul, in the book of Philippians 2:1-11, he highlights that Unity within the body of Christ is signified by the expression of God’s love towards each other, accompanied by fellowship with the Spirit. Adopting the attitude of Christ Jesus, who emptied Himself by assuming the form of a servant, humbling Himself to the point of death.

Humility is not just giving the chair on the front row to someone you deem with high regard, Humility is understanding that without the Grace of God and His word of blessings over your life, you can only go so far. pride dangerously creeps in from the moment one forgets they made it far because God was with them. King Saul, King Uzziah, King Nebuchadnezzar, and Samson are currently the examples I can use that got too familiar and lost a sense of their identity in God.

We can best live it out in our communities by not discriminating against others because of how they look and what they don’t have, but by taking what they offer us, if it’s clean water with unclean hands, we should be appreciative of the offer rather than degrading them for their appearance. we can also invest in our relationships with people God has entrusted us with, in order to grow a healthy community. This would cause a huge understanding and create a secure and safe environment for the people around us, especially because it takes time for people to trust others.
We could also encourage the best in those we see potential in, which is what Jesus did for Peter. He was a jew, who was a classicist by upbringing, and Jesus always made him understand that all people are loved equally in the eyes of God, none is above the other. the sooner we understand that we are all on the same level in God’s eyes, the better we get to treat each other with utmost respect, regardless of status and standards.

However, Jesus is the perfect example of humility both as a person, and as a principle lived out with authenticity and genuineness, He ate what the disciples ate, washed their feet, dined with sinners and tax collectors, He did what most people saw as blasphemy which they regarded as the Messiah is someone of high esteem, class and status, when the disciples at some point had asked Jesus, why do you dine with sinners and tax collectors, Jesus made them understand that if everybody was righteous and free of sin, He wouldn’t have come because then there’s no purpose for Him.

As people for as long as we live in the flesh, we need God, and our relationship with God through His word, we are able to learn about the attributes His Spirit is meant to teach us, and solidify within us. and all of that can only happen when we understand the person of Christ and His love towards His people.

[Author]

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