Being born in 1956, I really got to see and experience a small part of the “hippie” movement of the 60’s as a very young child.

I was reflecting back on this time of my life and found myself being filled with images of my first real experiences with those who celebrated free drugs, free sex and free STD’s!

It was the summer of 1971 and I was just getting ready to start my sophomore year at Las Cruces High School when my dad took our family on our very first summer vacation. I remember piling into the back of my dad’s pickup along with my sisters. It was the first time we had actually taken a trip further than Alamogordo, Deming, El Paso or Hatch!

My dad decided that all of us needed to get to know our beautiful state better, so he planned this exciting trip to Northern New Mexico. We got to visit places like Taos, Espanola, the Rio Grand Gorge and of course, Albuquerque and Santa Fe, our state capital.

I found myself amused and intrigued with the people we encountered living on the Old Town Plazas in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. I studied them intently to see what they said and did, what they ate, how they dressed, even the music they played. And of course, I was even overtaken by the smell of their funny shaped cigarettes!

Little did I know that right in our backyard, not far from our house in San Pablo, was a cluster of these hippies living together in an old ranch house. I would often drive by their house as slow as I could, without tipping over on my motorcycle, just to get a glimpse of them. One day I began to count all the adults and kids who were just hanging out and I was taken back by how many people were living there. At least seventy people were living on the grounds of this old ranch house.

As I began to ask questions about these different folks I found out that they were living together in what was called a “commune”. I was told that the money they earned, the house they lived in, the food they brought home and anything else belonging to them, was ALL community property. (I’ll leave the rest to your imagination!)

Later, I heard from a friend of mine who happened to be involved in another commune in Radium Springs, who was their pastor. This commune was different though. Yes, they were still considered hippies, but they were also known as “Jesus Freaks”. However, they did not share “all things”. They were born again followers of Christ that came to know Him through this Jesus movement.

After seeing how these two communes were so different, yet similar in function, I have to tell you that I was (and STILL am) intrigued by the possibility of a people living together and sharing all things that they had in common. After all, these people functioned in much the same way that our extended family did. I guess that is why I have such a great love for Acts 2:42-47. Please take a moment to read this passage of scripture as it will help you understand where this story is going.

After reading that passage, here are two questions to ask about it:

What is unique to this community?

What are some things to be common of every community that follows Jesus?

Read the following scriptures and answer the questions:

1. Genesis 2:15-25. In what ways is marriage supposed to be an environment for experiencing community?
2. Matthew 18:15-20. What role does community play in church discipline?
3. Acts 20:17-38. What elements of community do you see demonstrated between Paul and Ephesian elders?
4. Philippians 2:1-5. How does Paul describe the bond of Christian community?
5. 1 Corinthians 13. There are two distinct lists here: what love does and what love does not do. How can you be more loving in your community?

Taking It Deeper:

Reflect on how these verses inform us as to what TRUE biblical community looks like:

·      Mark 9:50  Be at peace with one another.

·      John 13:14  Wash one another’s feet.

·      John 13:34-35; 15:12,17  Love one another

·      Romans 13:8  Owe no one anything, expect to love one another.

·      Romans 12:10  Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

·      Romans 12:16  Live in harmony with one another.

·      Romans 14:13 Let us not pass judgment on one another any longer.

·      Romans 15:7  Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you.

·      Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20, 2 Corithians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26 Greet one another with a holy kiss.

·      1 Corinthains 11:33 Wait for one another when you come together to eat.

·      1 Corinthians 12:25 Members may have the same care for one another.

·      Galatians 5:13 Through love, serve one another.

·      Galatians 6:2  Bear one another’s burdens.

·      Galatains 5:15  If you bite and devour one another, watch out that you’re not consumed by one another.

·      Galatians 5:26 Let us not become conceited, provoking ... [and] envying one another.

·      Ephesians 4:32  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another.

·      Ephesians 5:19  Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.

·      Ephesians 5:21  Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

·      Colossians 3:9  Do not lie to one another.

·      Colossians 3:16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly ... admonishing one another.

·      1 Thessalonians 3:12  May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another.

·      1 Thessalonians 4:18; 5:11 Hebrews 10:25 Encourage one another.

Questions excerpted from Disciple-Getting Your Identity From Jesus by Bill Clem