5 Ways To Tap Into The Power Of Community For The Best Spiritual Growth
Community is where spiritual growth thrives. Discover five practical ways to embrace the power of community and experience deeper transformation in your faith, relationships, and daily walk with God.
It’s hard to imagine life without community. Think about it: from childhood to adulthood, the best moments of growth happen within the context of relationships. This isn’t just a social reality—it’s a spiritual one. If you think about it, most of our spiritual growth happens in the company of others.
This is the heart of the Gospel: Jesus came to restore what was lost in the Garden of Eden—and he does so, in part, by restoring community. But to understand why this matters so much, we need to go back to the Tower of Babel, and in doing so, discover how the day of Pentecost turns the curse of Babel upside down.
But first, let's acknowledge that spiritual growth is a process—a habit. We are all shaped by the habits we practice, both the good and the bad. Scripture itself invites us into the discipline of habit, especially when it comes to meditation.
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. -Joshua 1:8
Meditation on God’s Word—daily, habitually—leads to transformation. Similarly, building habits of community is a crucial part of our spiritual growth.
The more we meditate on God’s Word, the more we make connections with other parts of scripture, which bring greater clarity about how God is working in our lives. And just as Scripture invites us into the habit of meditation, the New Testament invites us into the habit of community. It is in community that the truths we meditate on are most fully realized. At Pentecost, Jesus reversed the curse of Babel, making community a key source of spiritual growth. This isn't just a nice idea—it’s a powerful, transformative reality.
The Curse of Babel: Confusion and Isolation
In Genesis 11, humanity is united under one language and one goal: build a tower that reaches to the heavens. They wanted to make a name for themselves.
Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” -Genesis 11:4
In their attempt to self-glorify, they forgot the very reason they were created: to bring glory to God.
So, God intervenes.
He confuses their language, scattering them across the earth. What was once unity becomes confusion. What was once fellowship becomes isolation. And the curse of Babel wasn’t just about people being scattered—it’s about the curse of confusion and isolation that still affects us today.
Think about it: We live in a time of deep confusion. Is there a more confused generation than ours? We’re confused about truth, about morality, about right and wrong. It’s everywhere we look: politics, sexuality, even our sense of self. We’re more connected than ever through social media and technology, but we are more isolated than ever, too. The curse of Babel is still alive.
Jesus Reverses the Curse: Pentecost and the Power of Community
Here’s where it gets good. After Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension, the disciples came together with a single purpose: to seek God.
Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
-Acts 2:2-4
Importantly, the disciples don’t attempt to hold onto this glory of God’s presence for themselves. They go out and share it in the languages of the people gathered in Jerusalem for this annual feast. Peter preaches, and 3000 people respond to his message!
At Pentecost, Jesus flips the curse of Babel on its head. The Holy Spirit comes down and, in an instant, restores what Babel broke. People from all over the world, speaking different languages, suddenly understand the message of the Gospel in their own tongue. Clarity replaces the confusion from Babel, and inclusion replaces isolation.
This momentary transformation doesn’t end there either. Acts 2 goes on to describe how this new, fledgling church responded—with a commitment to building community.
Why? Because when we build community, something beautiful happens: spiritual growth.
Why Community is Key to Spiritual Growth
Community isn’t just a nice add-on to the Christian life—it’s the place where spiritual growth takes root. Most transformation happens in community. It’s where we wrestle with our doubts, celebrate our victories, and encourage one another to deepen our faith.
When I reflect on my own life and examine the lives of others who have experienced long-lasting spiritual transformation, I realize that it has almost always occurred within the context of small group communities—groups of 30 or fewer people, where genuine, authentic relationships can form. These small communities are where growth happens because they are intimate and relational, allowing for true discipleship and spiritual formation.
A short history of my transformation as a follower of Jesus
As a teenager, I experienced this transformation through hanging out, informally, with my future in-laws. A group of teenagers would descend on their 80-acre farm to do all the things we couldn’t do in the suburbs, but more than hanging out, we had a space where we could ask difficult questions, learn about God’s Word, and grow in my faith with a group of peers.
In college, our church hosted a group for college-aged people. Sometimes the group was well over fifty, but most weeks it hovered around 25 to 30. When we came together, we weren’t just studying together—we were sharing our struggles, praying for each other, and holding each other accountable. That kind of community is where the deepest type of growth takes place.
During the early years of our marriage, this group evolved into a different vibe and was led by a new leader, but it became a place of connection and accountability for my wife and me. As young newlyweds, navigating life and faith together in that small group setting was pivotal to the health of our marriage and our spiritual lives.
With young kids, Kia and I weren’t part of an organized small group, but we had good friends with kids the same ages as ours, and their friendship modeled for me what it looks like to live as followers of Jesus within a family context. They invited us into their home, shared their struggles, and walked with us through the challenges of raising children, all while keeping Jesus at the center of their relationships.
Over the last 15 years, the staff at Cross Points Church has been a powerful community where I’ve seen firsthand how living out the gospel in a team of leaders creates an environment of growth, accountability, and shared mission. Working alongside this team has shaped me in profound ways that no solo effort ever could.
Over the last two years, Kia and I have led a young adult group that has been a place where I’ve witnessed significant growth. The depth of connection, vulnerability, and support has been instrumental in my spiritual journey, and I’ve seen many others experience breakthroughs as they step into this tight-knit community.
Devotion to each other changes each of us
Each of these moments in community shaped my faith in ways that no sermon or individual pursuit of God could ever match. These small groups were where I learned, grew, and allowed God to refine me through relationships that genuinely cared about my growth, struggles, and success.
We see that this was also the pattern of members of the early church. For them, it wasn’t just about gathering together only for the sake of hanging out—it was much deeper than that.
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. -Acts 2:42-47
The early church was devoted to one another, teaching, fellowship, breaking bread together, and praying. Their devotion wasn’t just passive; it was active and intentional.
If we’re honest, this is something many of us miss today. Sure, we show up to church, maybe even listen to a podcast or watch a sermon online, but are we living in community? Are we truly engaging in relationships that challenge us and shape us spiritually?
When I reflect on my spiritual growth, I consistently find that the most transformative seasons have occurred in small groups. Teenagers in a youth group. College students in a small Bible study. Young adults in a circle of friends. These were the environments where I grew the most, and the same is true for countless others.
5 Practical Ways to Embrace the Discipline of Community
If you want to grow spiritually, you must take community seriously. But what does this look like in practice?
Join a Small Group: Find a place where you can be real with people—where you can ask tough questions, share struggles, and support one another. This is where transformation happens.
Make Fellowship a Priority: More than just a Sunday activity, fellowship is a lifestyle. It’s inviting others into your life. Whether it’s coffee with a friend, a meal with a group, or a spontaneous prayer time, make space for those around you.
Eat Together: Breaking bread together is a sacred act. It’s in those shared meals that we experience the deepest kind of fellowship. Jesus did it, the early church did it, and we should too. Don’t just eat with those who are like you. Invite someone new. Invite someone who might be feeling isolated.
Pray Together: Prayer binds us together in a way nothing else can. It’s in prayer that we intercede for each other, lift each other up, and encourage one another in our faith.
Lead a Group: If you’re in a season where you’re feeling equipped, step up and lead. Leading a group challenges your own growth and helps others grow as well. Plus, it keeps you accountable.
The Challenge of Community in Our World
I’m aware that community can be messy. It’s not always easy. We all have busy lives, difficult schedules, and different opinions. But that’s precisely why we need it. Community is a place to practice love, patience, forgiveness, and grace. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about growing together in the grace of God.
In a world where isolation is common, community is a radical act of rebellion. It’s God’s answer to Babel. And it’s the place where we are shaped more into the image of Christ.
Community: Not an Option
What does this all mean for you and me? It means that being part of a community is not optional if you want to grow spiritually. You can’t reach your full potential as God intended for you on your own. You need others—others who will sharpen you, challenge you, and encourage you.
Are you in community? Are you letting others into your life? Are you committed to a group where you can grow in your faith and help others grow as well?
If not, I encourage you to take the first step. Whether it’s joining a small group, inviting a couple of friends over for dinner, or just finding a few people to pray with regularly—start today.
Remember, spiritual growth happens in community. And just like the early church, it’s in community that we see the power of the Holy Spirit at work. When we come together under the lordship of Jesus, we reverse the curse of Babel—and we become the people God always intended us to be.
Conclusion
It’s time for us to embrace the discipline of community. It’s the environment where God wants to grow us, shape us, and use us to impact the world around us. So, let’s commit to being a part of something bigger than ourselves—something that is built not on our glory, but on God’s.
Are you ready to reverse the curse of Babel in your life? The first step is simple: join a community of believers who will walk with you and help you grow.