Better Together

From the Director, Early Learning Centre

On the Saturday, 1 April we welcomed prospective families to explore our Early Learning Centre for the first time at our inaugural ELC Open Day. We were blessed to host over 100 visitors to our centre, allowing them a chance to meet our talented team of Christian Educators, College Leaders and explore the variety of new, interactive learning spaces. It was wonderful to meet so many young families and see children enjoying the centre for their first time.

The Open Day was also an opportunity to showcase the whole College. Our Early Learning Centre is the first step in a complete Christian education pathway at Emmaus - right through to Year 12. Student leaders and musicians, across all sub schools were a wonderful representation of the larger College community, enriching our visitor experience by welcoming, handing out balloons and entertaining with their musical performances. This is an authentic representation of our community here at Emmaus.

Our centre is integrated into our College community in every possible way. Our children and their families enjoy the benefits of being included in the whole community, sharing our vision for their Children to thrive in every aspect of their character, in the knowledge of God’s love through Jesus Christ.

It is God’s desire that we live in community. He didn’t intend for us to live in isolation. He specifically designed us to crave—and thrive in—relationship with others. We’re our best selves when we’re experiencing life’s highs and lows with others. That means everyone needs community.

Here are some of the ways the Bible teaches us the importance of community:

1.Community is encouraging

Being in community gives us the chance to be around people at different stages of their faith journey and to bear their burdens alongside them (Galatians 6:2). This is fantastic, because everyone has something to teach and to learn! It creates the ideal environment to be a ‘Barnabas’ (friend), pursue a ‘Paul’ (teacher), or train a ‘Timothy’ (student). It is about lifting each other up, learning from one another, and being the friend each of us needs. That’s how Hebrews describes community:

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24–25 (NIV)

2. Community is fun

Community should never feel boring or forced. In fact, it should be the exact opposite. Psalm 133:1 (NIV) tells us, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” Yes, community has a higher purpose. But it should also be enjoyable!

3. Community attracts the Holy Spirit

The Bible says the Holy Spirit is present whenever believers gather together (Matthew 18:20). A great example of this was the early church of Acts, which made a habit of meeting together, eating together, and worshiping together.

4. Community fosters love

Paul held love above all else in his letter to the Corinthians. And he did the same with his letter to the Colossians: “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:13–14 NIV).

It can be hard for some of us to commit to community, especially if we’re guarded or prefer solitude. But community is God’s desire for us—and a sign of a mature faith. Because at the end of the day, when we grow in our relationships with others, we’re growing in relationship with Him!