How all church members can be like Jesus by caring for each other.
Jesus commands his disciples to love one another and promises that “by this everyone will know that you are my disciples” (John 13:35). But what does genuine care for those in our church family look like?
This warm, practical book by Dwayne Bond goes beyond specific pastoral-care roles and responsibilities, and explores how all church members can love and care for one another in the rhythms of ordinary life.
In response to Jesus’ great love for us and the example he set, readers will explore how to honour one another, serve one another and bear each other’s burdens, as they seek to walk together as a family in the midst of a divided culture. They will see that following Jesus' command to love one another deeply and practically will bring great joy as well as commending the gospel to those around them, as people see lives changed from the inside out.
This wonderful resource is not only a useful tool for church care teams but for every church member as each is encouraged to play his or her part in making people feel cared for and connected to the church family.
There are discussion questions with action steps at the end of every chapter, making this book ideal to read as a small group or even as a whole church. Bulk deals and free downloadable worksheets are available.
This is one of the books in the new Love Your Church series, which is being written by a collection of Bible teachers from Acts29. It is designed to inspire every church member to love their church in practical ways by casting a biblical vision of what it means to be a local community of God’s family. The series will explore what it means to belong, to welcome, to gather, to care, to serve and to honour one another, and to witness and send people out to spread the gospel. Choose the resources that cover the areas most helpful to your particular church-family needs.
Introduction
| Contributors | Dwayne R. Bond, Jonathan D. Holmes |
|---|---|
| ISBN | 9781784988722 |
| Format | Paperback |
| First published | April 2025 |
| Dimensions | 128mm x 198mm x 10mm |
| Weight | 0.16 kg |
| Language | English |
| Pages | 144 |
| Publisher | The Good Book Company |
Churches are meant to be visible communities of love, support, encouragement, and care—because we know the Savior who ‘cares for you’ (1 Peter 5:7). Dwayne Bond is one of the most caring men you could ever meet. He lives the biblical principles and practical examples that fill his excellent and needed book Care. Take this Christ-centered, edifying, and authentic book to heart because someone will need you soon.
This book is a must-read for church leaders and small groups! Dwayne Bond brilliantly unpacks why loving the church truly matters and how we can overcome the barriers that often keep us from caring for one another. Each chapter gives hopeful direction on how the church, with all its diversity, can become a loving family. This is a book rich with practical insights that will deepen our love for Christ and one another in powerful ways.
Pastor Dwayne Bond has crafted a beautiful blend of rich theologi- cal truth and practical church-based living. That blending in no way surprises me because for three decades I’ve watched Pastor Bond live out truth-in-love in the context of Christian community. I highly recommend Care for all those who care about living life together in the church.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this Love Your Church series. The series currently includes the following titles:
- Honor, Belong, Gather, Welcome, Serve, Send, Witness (Preorder)
These have been such encouraging and challenging books for churches and their members. This new addition is no exception.
The book is structured with eight chapters:
- Why loving the church matters
- What gets in the way of caring for one another
- Loved by a loving Savior
- One Anothering in action
- Unconditional love in a divided culture
- When multiethnic church becomes a loving family
- Out of the church and into the world
- Our future hope
Each chapter concludes with an Action Steps section. You will find simple, yet profound actions that Bond challenges his readers to accomplish as they move towards loving their church by learning and implementing care towards others. All of us have the capacity and ability to love and care for others. Walking through life together is discipleship. Discipleship is exactly what Christ did day in and day out while on this earth.
Essian also includes a small group discussion guide. For each chapter, there are questions that will create good fellowship and conversation among small groups.
This is a critical resource for any church member to read. Walking through life with others is how we show love, care, and joy for the the glory of Christ.
I received a copy of the book from The Good Book Company in exchange for an honest review.
