I have heard some people say, "I don't need to go to church to be a Christian." Well, maybe that "can" be true, but I don't think it's possible to be an "obedient" Christian while intentionally being disconnected from any community of faith. Speaking to the importance of finding your part in the body of Christ, Paul writes, "20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." (I Cor. 12:20-27)
An excellent movie for kids (and adults willing to be encouraged by something animated) that illustrates this point is Disney's Dinosaur.
If you're looking for a great clip to show kids (or youth) about the need for community, here is one from the movie. This is near the end of the movie which basically contrasts two ways of life. The hero, Aladar, was raised by a bunch of lemurs who have taught him compassion and the importance of community, whereas the herd's leader lives by a strict "survival of the fittest" model. Oddly enough, it is his philosophy of individual strength over concern for others that is his eventually undoing.
Here's the clip:
So don't go it alone! It's just plain dumb...uh, and dangerous!
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