God wants to do greater things in our lives, but often what holds us back isn't God—it's us. We tend to limit God to only what we believe He can do. When we have small expectations, God might exceed them slightly. But when we believe God for bigger things, He'll not only meet those expectations but take us even further. God isn't content with just doing great things; He wants to do greater things in every area of our lives.
What Does It Mean to Lead People to Jesus?
The vision of the church includes embracing people, leading them to Jesus, equipping them, and making a lasting impact. While serving others is crucial for embracing people, if we only serve without leading people to a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ, we're failing as a church.
Leading people to Jesus requires more than just good intentions—it demands authentic community. You cannot disciple someone from behind a fence. Real discipleship happens when barriers come down and genuine relationships form.
Why Do We Build Fences in Our Lives?
Think about your life like a yard with a front and back section. Most of us are comfortable showing people our "front yard"—the well-manicured, presentable version of ourselves. This is what we post on social media, the image we want others to see.
But our "backyard" is where real life happens—the messy, imperfect, authentic parts of who we are. We naturally build invisible fences to keep people from seeing our struggles, our past, and our ongoing challenges.
The Problem with Spiritual Fences
In the Old Testament, physical barriers separated people from God's presence. The temple had fences around it, and even inside, a thick curtain prevented access to the Most Holy Place where God dwelled. Only the high priest could enter once a year.
When Jesus died, that curtain was torn, removing the barrier between us and God. Hebrews 10:19-22 tells us we can now "boldly enter heaven's most holy place because of the blood of Jesus." The fence between us and God has been permanently removed.
How Do We Rebuild Fences After God Tears Them Down?
Despite God removing the barriers, we're naturally good at building fences. We were born with a sinful nature that wants to hide from God and others. Even after accepting Christ, our instinct is to show God only our "good stuff" while keeping Him away from our messy areas.
When God tears down our fences, we feel vulnerable. Everyone can see our mess, our struggles, our imperfections. Our first instinct is to rebuild those barriers because we don't want people to see who we really are or what we're going through.
The Danger of Hiding Behind Fences
Many people want a "Wilson from Home Improvement" type of relationship with others—friendly from a distance but never truly vulnerable. We prefer to sneak in and out of church without forming real connections. But this approach prevents genuine community and discipleship from happening.
What Does Real Community Look Like?
The writer of Hebrews instructs us to "not neglect our meeting together" and to "think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works." This isn't just about Sunday morning attendance—it's about doing life together.
Real community requires planning and intentionality. We need to strategically consider how we can encourage one another, which means getting involved in each other's actual lives, not just surface-level interactions.
Biblical Examples of Fence-Free Community
The early church in Acts 2 provides a powerful example. After receiving the Holy Spirit, believers didn't just meet for worship—they shared everything they had, met in homes, ate meals together, and experienced life as a community. The result? "Each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved."
This happened because they lived without walls, sharing their testimonies and being vulnerable about what God had done in their lives. They understood that they were "overcomers by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony."
Why Vulnerability is Essential for Discipleship
You cannot lead someone to freedom if you're hiding what God has freed you from. James instructs us to "confess your faults to one another so you can pray for one another and be healed." This requires tearing down the fences that separate us from authentic relationships.
When we share our struggles and victories, we create opportunities for others to see God's transforming power. But this can only happen when we're willing to let people into our "backyard"—the real, messy parts of our lives.
The Role of Small Groups in Building Community
Small groups aren't just another church program—they're essential for creating the kind of community where discipleship can flourish. These groups provide safe spaces where fences can come down and real relationships can form.
Life shouldn't be limited to sitting in a church service once a week. True discipleship happens when we experience life together, share meals, meet each other's needs, and walk through challenges side by side.
Life Application
This week, challenge yourself to tear down one fence in your life. Instead of giving the standard "I'm good" response when someone asks how you're doing, be honest about a struggle you're facing. Look for opportunities to invite someone into your "backyard"—the real, imperfect parts of your life.
Consider joining a small group or, if you're already in one, commit to being more vulnerable and authentic. Remember, you cannot disciple someone from behind a fence, and you cannot be discipled while hiding behind barriers.
Ask yourself these questions:
- What fences am I maintaining in my relationships with God and others?
- How can I create opportunities for real community in my life this week?
- What part of my testimony am I hiding that could help someone else find freedom?
- Am I more concerned with appearing perfect or with building authentic relationships?
God wants to do greater things in your life, but it requires tearing down the fences that prevent real community. When we live authentically with one another, we create the environment where true discipleship can happen and people can be genuinely led to Jesus.
