The Compelling Community Study Guide

By Mark Dever, Jamie Dunlop

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A Companion Study Guide to The Compelling Community, Great for Individuals, Small Groups, and More

In The Compelling Community, pastors Mark Dever and Jamie Dunlop cast a captivating vision for authentic fellowship in the local church that goes beyond small groups, arguing that true fellowship is made up of two crucial ingredients: commitment (depth) and diversity (breadth). Theologically rooted yet extremely practical, The Compelling Community sets forth basic principles that will help churches become the compelling community that we all long for.

This companion study guide covers all 12 chapters of The Compelling Community, featuring the main idea of each chapter, a Bible passage to study, prayer prompts, and suggestions for further reading. With questions for reflection and discussion, The Compelling Community Study Guide will help spark conversation and encourage readers to reflect on biblical truth about authentic fellowship within the local church. 

Study Guide FAQ

  • Interactive: Includes questions and Bible verses for guided study and discussion
  • Accessible Resource for Churches: Helps pastors and congregations think deeply about community within the church
  • For Individuals and Groups Alike: Perfect for small groups, Bible studies, or individuals looking to learn more about what the Bible has to say about community
  • Companion Study Guide: Designed to be used alongside The Compelling Community by Mark Dever and Jamie Dunlop

Read Chapter 1


Authors:

Mark Dever

Mark Dever (PhD, Cambridge University) is the senior pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC, and president of 9Marks (9Marks.org). Dever has authored over a dozen books and speaks at conferences nationwide. He lives in Washington, DC, with his wife, Connie, and they have two adult children.

Jamie Dunlop

Jamie Dunlop serves as an associate pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church. He is the coauthor (with Mark Dever) of The Compelling Community and author of Budgeting for a Healthy Church. Jamie and his wife Joan have three school-aged children and live on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

Product Details

Category: Church Ministry
Bible Studies & Devotionals
Christian Living
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 80
Size: 5.5 in x 8.5 in
Weight: 4.34 ounces
ISBN-10: 1-4335-8828-5
ISBN-13: 978-1-4335-8828-0
ISBN-UPC: 9781433588280
Case Quantity: 168
Published: May 23, 2023

Table of Contents

How to Use This Study Guide 

Part 1: A Vision for Community
Chapter 1: Two Visions of Community
Chapter 2: A Community Given by God
Chapter 3: Community Runs Deep
Chapter 4: Community Goes Broad

Part 2: Fostering Community
Chapter 5: Preach to Equip Your Community
Chapter 6: Pray Together as a Community
Chapter 7: Build a Culture of Spiritually Intentional Relationships
Chapter 8: Structural Obstacles to Biblical Community

Part 3: Protecting Community
Chapter 9: Addressing Discontentment in the Church
Chapter 10: Addressing Sin in the Church

Part 4: Community at Work
Chapter 11: Evangelize as a Community
Chapter 12: Fracture Your Community (for the Community of Heaven)

Conclusion
Next Steps

Endorsements

“If you are ready to be refreshed as well as challenged, read this book. It is biblical and practical. Its clarity is powerful and very compelling. Thank you, Mark Dever and Jamie Dunlop, for loving the church of Jesus Christ!”
Ronnie Floyd, Former President, The Southern Baptist Convention; Senior Pastor, Cross Church, Springdale, Arkansas

The Compelling Community cannot have come at a better time. Its arguments are compelling. What we need today are not new methods for church growth, but a fresh yielding to the Holy Spirit so that he can take us back to the gospel-centered principles we see in the New Testament that catapulted the early church into the center stage of human history. Thank you, Mark and Jamie, for refreshing our spirits with these timeless truths.”
Conrad Mbewe, Pastor, Kabwata Baptist Church, Lusaka, Zambia; Founding Chancellor, African Christian University

The Compelling Community provides an alternative to running your church on the building blocks of specialization and segmentation. The book is well-timed. After all, many of us long to see the gospel build community along the lines of generalization and integration instead. Great stuff from two men who have given their lives to the welfare of the local church.”
David R. Helm, Senior Pastor, Christ Church Chicago; Chairman, The Charles Simeon Trust

“Many of us live in neighborhoods with an abundance of church congregations, yet those neighborhoods are flooded with crime, racism, lostness, and very few changed lives. Have you ever wondered why churches are not having more of an impact? This powerful and convicting book should challenge every church to do a self-examination to determine if their weekly gatherings are making an impact in their community through the power of the gospel!”
Fred Luter Jr., Pastor, Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, New Orleans, Louisiana

“Mark Dever and Jamie Dunlop remind us that the faithful local church is ever seeking to make a compelling case for Christ in community.”
Tony Carter, Pastor, East Point Church, East Point, Georgia