Three excited football fans sit on a couch while three more cheer behind them, a picture of a typical Super Bowl Sunday viewing party. By Rawpixel.com/stock.adobe.com
Whether you’ll watch the Super Bowl for Mahomes vs. Purdy or how often the camera cuts to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce—or if you’re not going to watch at all—it’s hard to deny that one of the most important days in American culture is near. As you read this, you may even be subconsciously preparing for your Sunday Super Bowl Party.
The National Retail Federation informs us that “112.2 million people plan to throw or attend a party, and another 16.2 million plan to watch the game at a bar or restaurant. Total spending on food, drinks, apparel, decorations and other purchases for the day is expected to reach a record $17.3 billion, or $86.04 per person.”
Like it or not, Super Bowl Sunday is a driving force behind community in our society. There is something about spending time with friends and family, eating commemorative food, and pledging allegiance to a victory-seeking team that enthralls people of all demographics.
Ironically, these activities are not far off from practices held by the biblical local church.
Praise parties
Acts 2:46–47 describes how believers “broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.” The difference between these meetings and Super Bowl parties is simply the subject of praise.
Believers should be encouraged to convene and enjoy each other’s company. This principle is central to the idea of biblical community. And there is a unique connection that happens when people rally around each other to cheer for the same entity.
But what if we as believers implemented a habitual practice of holding parties with the purpose of praising God?
This might suspiciously sound like a Sunday worship service.
You would be correct, and we should dedicate the same (and, truthfully, greater) passion into Sunday worship as we do a party for our favorite sports team.
But worship extends beyond a Sunday service.
How are you cultivating community?
Worship can be cultivated in any meeting a Christian has with another believer.
After this year’s Super Bowl, let us keep on with intentionally cultivating community. Here are some things to keep in mind as we do so:
1. Meet together often.
Life is not a solo sport. Make time to spend with those you love. An example could be partaking in weekly dinners with your close circle of friends.
2. Enjoy each other’s company.
God created relationships for a purpose. He desires for Christians to actively love and support one another. So, these gatherings should be intended to have fun and bless one another.
3. Find an intentional way to praise God.
Worshiping God can be done when we meet with other believers. For instance, set aside time when you meet to talk about how God has worked in your life recently.
One of the most cherished images that we find in Scripture of what heaven will be like is believers gathering together (Revelation 7:9). But thankfully we don’t have to wait for eternity to start experiencing what that will be like.
This weekend is a great time to start.
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