The Power of Plausible Community
OPENING PRAYER:
Father, thank You for the people praying this same prayer today, near and far. Bind our hearts together even from a distance. Amen.
“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals, and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity —all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” Acts 2:42-47 (NLT)
REFLECT:
Why does the gospel—so compelling and life-changing to us—often sound like an implausible fairy tale to others? The answer may lie in what scholars call "plausibility structures"—the invisible framework that determines what people find believable. In Acts 2, the early church created a new plausibility structure for the gospel through their shared life. They didn't just proclaim Christ individually; they embodied Him collectively. And the result was extraordinary: "Each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved." (Acts 2:47)
Research consistently shows that community has the greatest influence on what we find believable. The beliefs of our trusted friends and family profoundly shape what seems plausible. This means that when a room is filled with trusted friends—many of whom believe in Jesus—the gospel no longer feels alien. It becomes believable. Potentially even irresistible.
Most Christians live in two separate worlds—Christian friends and non-Christian friends—and these worlds rarely overlap. What if we intentionally merged them? What if we created environments where our Christian and non-Christian friends could meet, connect, and build genuine relationships?
God designed evangelism to be communal. Jesus sent His disciples out in pairs. Paul always traveled with companions. Each of us reflects a unique aspect of God's image, but none of us reflects it completely. Together, we present a fuller, more compelling picture of God's character and love.
A key principle: if you want your non-Christian friends to come to your gatherings, first go to theirs. Attend their birthday parties, their children's concerts, their events. Build relational capital. Then when you invite them to a barbecue, game night, or church event, it won't feel awkward—it will feel natural.
APPLY:
PRAY FOR YOUR ONE
- 1. Ask God to show you how your community of faith could be a bridge for your One—a plausibility structure that makes the gospel believable.
- 2. Pray about one specific way you could invite your One into your world—not a church event yet, but a gathering of people who love Jesus and who your One might genuinely connect with.
- 3. Ask God to help your church community—the people gathered right now in this prayer group—to be so authentically loving that outsiders are drawn to investigate.
CLOSING PRAYER:
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
God, thank You for the gift of community. Help me build genuine friendships that cross the lines between my Christian and non-Christian worlds. Use our life together as a church family to make Your love believable to those who are watching. Draw many to Yourself as we live devoted to You and to each other. In Jesus' name, amen.
PRAYER REQUEST:
Share your prayer request and pray for others.