Everybody Wants A Village
Watch or listen to
the full sermon here.
Preached by Emily Woodard
Follow The Valley Church
We are living in a time of incredible connection—but many of us still feel alone. In our current series, Better Together, we are exploring the beauty of Biblical community and how intentional relationships transform our lives. At our core, everyone wants a village—a group of people who show up in good times and bad—but to have a village, we first need to be a villager.
The Apostle Paul gives us a perfect example in 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12, showing how to engage in meaningful, intentional community. Here are five practical ways to become a villager in your own life.
1. Keep Going
Paul and Silas faced opposition and hurt, yet they pressed on to share the Gospel with the Thessalonians. Life and relationships can be messy, and past wounds may make it tempting to withdraw. But when we keep going, even when it’s hard, we reflect God’s perseverance and provide the foundation for a strong community.
2. Look in the Mirror
Paul emphasizes that leaders in the early church pursued God’s approval over human approval and allowed God to examine their hearts. When we take inventory of our lives through prayer and self-reflection, we grow spiritually and emotionally. This allows us to contribute positively to our communities rather than just consume from them.
3. Treat People Well
Paul compared his approach to the Thessalonians to a nurse caring for her own children—gentle, sacrificial, and nurturing. Treating people with respect, kindness, and empathy is essential to building strong community. Every person you encounter is fearfully and wonderfully made by God, and showing them love strengthens the village around you.
4. Live Open-Handedly
Paul shared not only the Gospel but also his own life with the Thessalonians. Living open-handedly means investing time, energy, and resources in others, even when inconvenient. Sharing your life and showing genuine care can build relationships where trust and faith flourish.
5. Build People Up
Paul encouraged, comforted, and implored the Thessalonians to live worthy of God. Building people up involves encouragement, comfort, and pointing others toward Jesus. Helping others grow spiritually, emotionally, and relationally creates a strong, healthy community that reflects God’s love.
Final Thoughts
A village is only as strong as its villagers. Keeping these five principles in mind—keep going, look in the mirror, treat people well, live open-handedly, and build people up—helps us become active contributors to our communities. Everyone wants a village, but we must first be willing to be a villager.
Reflection Questions:
Which of these five ways to become a villager do you most need to apply in your life?
Are there relationships where you are consuming more than contributing?
How can you intentionally show love and care to someone in your community this week?