Building community is a wonderful topic for your class any time of the year. Being a part of a group allows our students to feel connected and gives  them a sense of belonging.

Watch this inspirational film with your students. It will really resonate with anyone who loves sport, likes to see people overcome adversity or values team spirit.

Discuss what defines a community with your students.

Then ask your students what they think defines a Christian community.

Experiencing a Christian community might mean living a life based on the love of Jesus with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Community might be a source of strength and connection, a place to serve and love others and an opportunity for praise and worship.

Perhaps begin a Bible study of Acts with your students.

“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had” (Acts 4:32).

Maybe reading some of Paul’s letters will help the students to understand the importance of community.

Look at these Bible verses and ask your students to write their own guidelines for living successfully in community with other believers.

“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought” (1 Corinthians 1:10).

“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble” (1 Peter 3:8).

“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others” (Romans 12:4-5).

“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).

“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited” (Romans 12:16).

“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:11).

How could any of these verses help us at school?

Which ones might be important for our school?

Think, discuss and reflect with your class. Start small – work on your own class community. See where it takes you! Enjoy the journey.