Marks of a Christ-Formed Community
"Becoming the People God Desires, Together"
by Raimer Rojas
by Raimer Rojas
We are called to step fully into each other’s stories. We rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. True community enters into the highs and lows together.
"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." - Romans 12:15
"If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." - 1 Corinthians 12:26
"God... comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Correction is not about shame, but transformation. In love and humility, we speak the truth to each other because we long to see Christ formed in one another.
"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17
"If someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently." - Galatians 6:1
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. " - Hebrews 10:24-25
We commit for the long haul. Real growth requires consistency—being seen over time, through victories and failures, with grace and truth.
"Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay." - Ruth 1:16
"Not giving up meeting together... but encouraging one another." - Hebrews 10:25
"Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself." - 1 Samuel 18:3
We create a culture where confession is normal and forgiveness flows freely. Healing begins where honesty lives.
"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out." - Acts 3:19
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins." - 1 John 1:9
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." - Ephesians 4:32
5. Working Through, Not Walking Away
We don’t flee conflict—we face it with grace. We work through misunderstandings, trusting that maturity is forged in the tension, not in avoiding it.
"If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you." - Matthew 18:15
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." - Ephesians 4:2-3
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." - Proverbs 15:1
We press on to become more like Jesus in all things. Growth is not optional—it’s the fruit of abiding together in Christ.
"Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature." - Ephesians 4:13
"Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.” - Colossians 1:28-29 ESV
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. " - Romans 8:28-29
We grow by watching and sharing each other’s lives. Through obedience, failure, and restoration, our lives become testimonies that disciple others.
"And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others." - 2 Timothy 2:2
"In everything set them an example by doing what is good." - Titus 2:7
"We were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well." - 1 Thessalonians 2:8
Every believer carries part of God's healing for others. Healing flows not just through leaders, but through the shared ministry of the whole body.
"Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." - James 5:14-16
"...But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. " - 1 Corinthians 12:24b-26
"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:2
As we walk together over time, we learn to see clearly. We call out what is true, discern what is false, and recognize what is budding into life—even before it blossoms.
"Solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." - Hebrews 5:14
"Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God." - 1 John 4:1
"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. " - Philippians 1:9-11
No masks. No pretending. Just people learning to walk in the light—where grace covers, humility leads, and truth frees.
"What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." - Micah 6:8
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." - Proverbs 11:2
"Each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor." - Ephesians 4:25
We don’t just cheer each other on—we get under the weight. In prayer, provision, or presence, we come alongside and carry what’s too heavy to carry alone.
"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:2
"We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak." - Romans 15:1
"Encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone." - 1 Thessalonians 5:14
Healing is often held back by silence and secrecy. We cultivate a culture of vulnerability where confession leads to freedom, not shame.
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." - James 5:16
"Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy." - Proverbs 28:13
"...if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." -1 John 1:7
This isn’t casual community—it’s covenantal commitment. We honor one another with patience, presence, and pursuit.
"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." - Romans 12:10
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." - John 13:34-35
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." - 1 Peter 4:8
Growth requires truth, but truth must be soaked in love. We learn to have hard conversations in a spirit of grace and mutual building-up.
"Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ." - Ephesians 4:15
"Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses." - Proverbs 27:6
"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." - Colossians 4:6
God’s family isn’t just serious—it’s joy-filled. We celebrate God’s faithfulness, mark milestones together, and enjoy the journey with laughter, appreciation and praise.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" - Philippians 4:4
"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." - Psalm 118:24
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him." - Romans 15:13
We honor how God moves uniquely through each member. No gift is too small, no role insignificant. We make room, learn from, and celebrate each one.
"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit... Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." - 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
"We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us." - Romans 12:6
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others." - 1 Peter 4:10
When storms come, we don’t scatter—we stand together. We anchor each other in truth, prayer, and endurance through seasons of suffering.
"Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day... So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen." - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." - James 1:2-4
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9
It’s not about who’s right or in charge—it’s about yielding, listening, and honoring Christ through mutual surrender.
"Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." - Ephesians 5:21
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition... but in humility value others above yourselves." - Philippians 2:3-4
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." - Romans 12:16
We steward not just our individual resources, but our collective ones—for the care of the body and the mission beyond, both locally and in faraway places.
"All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need." - Acts 2:44-45
"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. - 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
"Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share." - 1 Timothy 6:18
20. Practicing Presence (Slowing Down Together)
In a fast-paced world, the Church must learn to slow down—to linger with God and with one another. Presence is one of the most healing gifts we give.
"Be still, and know that I am God." - Psalm 46:10
"[Mary] sat at the Lord’s feet listening... Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." - Luke 10:39,42
"In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength." - Isaiah 30:15