Imagine a choir where each voice sings alone—disjointed, incomplete, lacking harmony. But when those voices unite, they create a beautiful chorus that stirs the soul. As we listen to a beautiful choir, we’ll dive into the powerful truth that God never intended for us to live this life alone. From the beginning, He designed us to thrive in community, where we support, sharpen, and spur one another on toward spiritual growth. Just as Jesus lived in community, journeying with His disciples, we too are called to walk alongside others in our pursuit of the way of Jesus. We’ll explore how every spiritual discipline has a communal aspect, and how experiencing Jesus’ life and teachings becomes richer and more profound when done together. The Toronto Mass Choir in our service is a living illustration of this truth: when we, the body of Christ, operate in unity, we create something beautiful, rich, and harmonous reflecting the deep love of Jesus. Are you ready to join the chorus and find your place in the community of faith? Come and discover how life is meant to be lived together.

Descriptions of Apprentices of Jesus

• Church / Temple
• Building
• Priesthood
• Flock
• Vineyard
• Kingdom
• Family
• Body
• Chosen People
• Holy Nation
• City
• Bride

Spiritual Lives & Discipleship

• In 2015, 41% of Christians considered their spiritual lives to be “entirely private”
• In 2021, 56% of Christians considered their spiritual lives to be “entirely private”
• In 2015, 38% of Christians said they preferred discipleship to be on their own
• What about in 2024? 

1 Corinthians 12:12 – The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:21 – The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”

Stats about Loneliness

• #1 health threat in the United States
• As deadly as smoking 15 cigarettes daily
• A survey by Statistics Canada in mid-2021 found that more than 40 per cent of Canadians feel lonely some or all of the time
• Before 1800, the word loneliness was not in regular use in the English language

“The Christian needs another Christian who speaks God’s Word to him…The Christ in his own heart is weaker than the Christ in the word of his brother; his own heart is uncertain, his brother’s is sure.” -Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 

1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 – Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. 

“Spiritual formation occurs primarily in the context of community. People who remain connected with their brothers and sisters in the local church almost invariably grow in self-understanding, and they mature in their ability to relate in healthy ways to God and to their fellow human beings. This is especially the case for those courageous Christians who stick it out through the often messy process of interpersonal discord and conflict resolution. Long-term interpersonal relationships are the crucible of genuine progress in the Christian life. People who stay also grow. People who leave do not grow…it is a simple but profound biblical reality that we both grow and thrive together or we do not grow much at all.” -Joseph Hellerman

Proverbs 27:17 – As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

"[Christ] works on us in all sorts of ways...but above all, He works on us through each other." –C.S. Lewis

Community Does Two Things

1. Exposes Us
2. Encourages Us

Acts 6:1 – But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.

Mark 10:43-44 – But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else.

Galatians 6:2 – Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

“You can’t live without sin, but you can live without secrets” –Tyler Station

James 5:16 – Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. 

Romans 8:15 –  So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”

1 Peter 2:5 – And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God

1 John 4:20-21 – For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

Ephesians 2:14-16 – For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us…He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.

Acts 4:32 – All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had.

Colossians 3:14 –  Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.