From 'We' to 'Me' to 'We' - Living As Disciples

From ‘We’ to ‘Me’ to ‘We’

Posted June 20, 2025

In Bible Studies, Culture, From the Heart

From ‘We’ to ‘Me’ to ‘We’: How Individualism Affects Our Reading of Scripture

It’s a common experience: a well-meaning Christian quotes a Bible verse like Jeremiah 29:11 as a personal promise from God—one that assures them of prosperity, purpose, and peace.

“‘For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the Lord. ‘I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope.'” (NET)

We see it on t-shirts, wall plaques, journal covers, bumper stickers, and greeting cards, many of which are personalized with an individual’s name. It’s a message that speaks strongly to many Christians. It’s understandable that they would find encouragement. Just the same, there’s something deeper going on beneath this popular verse.

Much of our modern Bible reading is shaped not just by spiritual hunger, but by the cultural waters in which we swim. One of the most powerful—and often invisible—influences on Western Christianity is individualism. The Bible, however, was written in a world that was deeply communal.

Let’s explore how this shift from a communal to an individualistic mindset has altered the way we read God’s Word, and how reclaiming a more collective lens can deepen our understanding of Scripture.

A Cultural Contrast

The world of the Bible—whether in Old Testament Israel or the early Church—was inherently communal. Scripture was written to and for communities: families, tribes, nations, churches. By contrast, modern Western culture places high value on the individual. Identity, success, purpose, and even truth are often defined personally rather than communally.

That individualistic mindset isn’t necessarily wrong—but when we bring it to Scripture, it can subtly color the meaning. It turns communal promises into personal affirmations and collective commands into private devotions.

A Tale of Two Lenses

Take, for example, some common assumptions we may not even notice:

Communal: “God is faithful to His people.”
Individual: “God will make my life go well.”
Communal: “We are called to follow Christ together.”
Individual: “My personal walk with God is all that matters.”
Communal: “This letter is written to the church.”
Individual: “This verse speaks to my private situation.”
Communal: “Our sin affects the whole community of Christ.”
Individual: “My choices are my own business.”

This interpretive shift is especially evident in how we handle certain well-known verses. Consider Jeremiah 29:11: “I know the plans I have for you…”

We often read that as, “God has a personal roadmap for my life.” But in context—and in the original Hebrew—the “you” is plural. God is speaking to His people that He sent into exile, not to individuals with private destinies.

Digging into the Context

To understand this passage rightly, we must consider the historical and biblical setting. Around 597–586 BC, during the Babylonian exile, King Nebuchadnezzar had conquered Jerusalem. The first wave of exiles—including King Jehoiachin, officials, and craftsmen—had already been deported to Babylon. Jeremiah, still in Jerusalem, wrote to these exiles on behalf of God.

The Israelites were experiencing the consequences of centuries of their disobedience, idolatry, and acting unjustly. And while false prophets were declaring a swift return home, God gave a very different message: “Settle down. Build houses. Plant gardens. Seek the welfare of Babylon. You’re going to be here for 70 years” (Jeremiah 29:7,10).

In verse 7, God tells them, “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” The Hebrew word that has been translated into English as “welfare” is shalom (Strong’s #7965), which signifies far more than just welfare. It also means peace—represented in wholeness, flourishing, and harmony. This word is deeply rooted in the covenant between God and His people.

Then comes the famous line in verse 11: “For I know the plans I have for you…” Understood in context, it is not an assurance of personal prosperity. It is instead a deeply communal promise made to a covenant people who are being disciplined, yet not forsaken.

God’s Covenant Faithfulness

Staying with the context, this passage in Jeremiah 29 isn’t about worldly success or temporal blessings. It’s about God’s enduring commitment to His people—chosen, disciplined, and ultimately restored. In verses 12–14, God calls them back to covenant faithfulness: “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me… You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

This promise hinges on repentance and return. It’s a call to renewed relationship, not simply a personal hope.

And while the context is ancient Israel, today Christians stand within God’s covenant through Christ. As 1 Peter 2:9 declares: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

The New Testament emphasizes this communal identity:

The Church is one body with many members (1 Corinthians 12:12–27).
We are to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2).
We are being built together into a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5).

Even our salvation, while deeply personal, is never private. Salvation in Christ brings us into a family, a people, a holy community.

Other Verses Misunderstood Individually

This individualistic lens has led to the misinterpretation of other Scriptures as well:

2 Chronicles 7:14 – “If my people who are called by my name…” This is a promise to Israel, not a personal guarantee for any nation or individual in modern times.
Romans 8:28 – “All things work together for good…” The “good” here is being conformed to the image of Christ—not comfort or success in an earthly or material way—and it applies to “those who love God,” collectively.
Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Once again when we look at the context, this passage is not about personal ambition or achievement, but about a faithful contentment in all circumstances within the context of Christian mission.

These few examples of individualized interpretations not only take the focus from “we” to “me” but also turn the focus to my temporary, fleshly wants and desires instead of the eternal redemptive plan of God.

Reclaiming the Bigger Story

The danger of an individualistic reading of Scripture is that it can reduce God’s grand redemptive story into a set of personal affirmations. It diminishes the beauty and power of Christian community and can lead to disappointment when individual expectations go unmet.

But there is hope. Rediscovering the communal nature of God’s Word invites us into something larger than ourselves. It reminds us that:

We are part of a people, a body, a kingdom.
God’s promises are often corporate, not individual.
Christian growth, worship, and mission are shared pursuits.

So the next time we read a beloved verse like Jeremiah 29:11, let’s pause and ask:

To whom is God speaking?
What is He really promising?
How does this passage call us to live as a faithful people in covenant with God?

Because the truth is, while God knows and loves each of us, the promise is bigger than “me.” It’s about a faithful God and His enduring covenant with “we,” — His people.

And that might just be the most hopeful news of all.

Spiritual Disciplines

Jemully Development