Lovewell: A Theology - Day 7

Week 1 of 5     
End Statement #1 - Crosswalk will be a community of belonging.

INTRODUCTION
The following is a guide to help facilitate discussion. Feel free to add or subtract or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.

OPEN
Outside of your family, what is a space or a group that you truly felt like you belonged, and what was it about that space or group that fostered that feeling?

HEAD
Read Matthew 19:14, John 8:47, John 15:19, Colossians 2: 20, Genesis 2:18, John 8:35, Romans 12:5, and I Corinthians 12:15-16 together and share any wisdom, insights, or questions in response to the reading.

Think about and reflect on the theme of “belonging” throughout these verses. What stands out to you? What do you see as a common thread?

Jesus emphasized the importance of everyone belonging to God and His kingdom, even the children (the lowest members of importance in their society). Can you remember a time as a child you were ostracized by a group? What was that like?  How about the reverse; accepted without condition? (reference Matthew 19:14 and Mark 9:41)

How do you and I practice “listening to God” as mentioned in John 8:47?

How can loving like Jesus, with reckless abandon and without condition, cause you to be hated by the world?

We were made by community (Trinity) for community (each other/church). Do you think it’s healthy to be spiritual without community as many say these days?

HEART
So many churches, civic clubs, and other groups require you to adhere to a certain set of standards or beliefs before you can belong (including church when we tie baptism and membership together, saying you can’t fully belong until you’re baptized).  At Crosswalk, we want everyone to know that they can belong first, even if we believe different things.  Why do you think this emphasis on belonging is so important that it’s our first end statement?

Belonging often comes before trust, we have to help people sense belonging before they begin to trust us.  What are some ways to build that sense of belonging to newcomers in your group or church?

In Romans 12 and I Corinthians 12, it speaks to the body and how each part of the body is needed even though it functions differently. In a world so divided on so many different issues, how do we as the body of Christ set a better example and work together?

What does the knowledge that you could lose your job, your social status, your friend group, or even your family, and still belong to God, mean to you?

HANDS
Belonging is so important to God that from the moment His creation had to leave the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3, He’s been chasing after us, seeking to reconcile (2 Corinthians 5: 17-21) us to Him.  That journey took Him to the cross.  Who in your life and circle of influence appears disconnected or lonely?  Pray about an opportunity to invite that person to church one weekend or to join your discussion group.

LIVING WORDS for YOUR WEEK
“See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.2 Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.”
I John 3: 1-2