There are some things you will never learn on your own. You only learn them in community. To grow and develop your potential, you must learn from other people.

For example, you can only learn forgiveness in relationships. You can’t learn that on your own. You can only learn loyalty in relationships. You can only learn love in relationships. You can’t learn kindness or faithfulness or graciousness or unselfishness without others.

In fact, the most important things you need to learn in life require that you be in relationship to other people. You can’t do it on your own. If you want to build your potential, you must learn from others.

Where is the best place to do that? In God’s family. You learn it by being connected to the body of Christ.

Ephesians 4:16 says, “He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow” (NLT).

This is why I’ve talked so much about small groups over the years—because I’ve seen it work: I’ve seen people join a small group who felt unconnected, who were unsure of their purpose, who needed direction in serving others, who just needed to be known. And being in community with others in God’s family made all the difference. Sharing their lives and being open about their struggles and cheering each other on in life made all the difference.

Why does sharing your life with others make a difference? Because you weren’t made for success. You were made for significance. And the best way to live a life of significance is in relationship with others, serving and sharing and growing and worshiping with them.

You need the people God has placed in your life. And they need you! God wired us to depend on each other and to learn from each other. When you’re connected to other people, it’s not just you who grows and benefits. You also use your gifts and experiences to help others fulfill their purpose.

We need each other!