Message Series: For Our Neighbors
Week 1 | Rediscover Together
Scripture: Jeremiah 29:4-14
Group Check in:
How is it with your soul?
Prayer Request? Praises?
How has God shown up in your life this week?
Overview:
What’s this message about? We can’t connect our neighbors with the hope of the gospel without rediscovering what it means to be together. Community has always been God’s plan for humanity, but the community God envisions goes beyond the standard bible studies that we usually think about when churches mention ‘community. Rather, it’s time to rediscover community that feels more like making family out of those who are not family. This rediscovery can’t be done alone; even the rediscovery has to be done together.
Part of what we hear from God, even in the hardest times, is to lean into each other. To work for each other’s good and the good of the people around us. We aren’t the first people to do Christian community. The church wasn’t invented in the last 30-40 years. Our people have been doing this work since the beginning because it’s how God designed us.
When we rediscover we must do it together. We do not need to reinvent a new way of doing church, but instead rediscover how the people in the Bible did church together. We have forgotten how to be together. It will take time and effort. There are no shortcuts.
Jeremiah 29:11 | HOPE | God spoke these words through Jeremiah while Jeremiah and his people were exiled.
Verse 12-14 | We must seek God TOGETHER & find God TOGETHER! This has always been the plan.
When we are together we find our identity. When we are isolated, we tend to have amnesia of our identity and where we come from.
Our mission is to open up. We must allow people outside of our church, outside of our circles, and outside of our groups, to come into knowing this hope of the gospel. It’s our mission to expand and allow others in and to rediscover together.
Discussion Questions:
What does community mean to you? What does it look like?
How will you and your group rediscover together? What are some ways you can start to rediscover this week together?
Read Jeremiah 29:4-7. How would you summarize the Lord's commands to the exiles? How does this apply to our own Babylon: our comminty and neighborhoods?
How can you, in your life: in your neighborhoods or at work, be a blessing to others? How can this become a priority for you instead of being so focused on God's prosperity for your own life? (Jeremiah 29:11)
Pray for our community...pray for your neighbors. This week ask God to show you how you can impact those in your neighborhood this week. Seek God together
Seek God together, and begin the process to rediscover our purpose to live in Christian community together. Remember, this isn't a new concept and it doesn't have to be reinvented. We just have to have the patience and give the time to discover the meaning of community again together.
Share with your Groups:
Save the Date: GROUPS BLOCK PARTY
Rediscover Together. If you're curious about the groups we offer adults come and join us on August 27TH after the 11AM service for the Groups Block Party! While you can't do life with everyone, groups provide a space where you can do life with someone. Come celebrate and enjoy lunch with us! There will be fun for all, so invite your family and neighbors. This is a great opportunity for you to meet group members and their leaders. You can even register while you're there. Come rediscover together with us!
REGISTRATION FOR ALL GROUPS OPENS AUG 20TH - SEPT 3RD
