Message: You've Got to connect
Week of July 12, 2009

Thematic Focus
Learn the different ways you can be connected and why it's important.

Main Points
The Bible provides four metaphors for how we can be spiritually connected:
·  Like being built into a building.
    - Ephesians 2:20-22
·  Like being joined into a body.
    - Ephesians 4:25
    - Romans 12:4-5
    - Colossians 2:19
·  Like being attached to a vine.
    - John 15:4
    - Romans 8:16
·  Like being born into a family.
    - 1 timothy 3:15
    - Romans 15:6-7

Summary Points
·  A disconnected frame has no support.
·  A disconnected body part dies.
·  A disconnected branch can't bear fruit.
·  A disconnected family feels no love.

Scriptural Lens:
1 Corinthians 1:10
"I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought."

Pursuing clarity
Use the following structure to guide your personal reflection and/or discussion:

Opening Prayer
Take a moment to recognize Christ’s presence with you.

Opening Reflection
Think about the different ways you and the world are connected. Explain.

Scriptural Focus
Take time to read the suggested Scriptures.

Group Discussion
Use these questions to reflect further:

1. If you were to walk around a building you would notice things that are attached and things that are not. How would those things that are not attached fare in a natural disaster? Parallel this to life.
2. How should the idea of being connected to the body of Christ influence our view of other Christians?
3. Why is it impossible to grow when you are disconnected relationally?
4. What do you think it means to "live in" or "abide in" Christ? What happens to our lives when we are spiritually disconnected from God?
5. What kinds of things block a person from being fruitful or productive?
6. Through Christ we are "adopted" into the family of God. How does this impact our understanding of having a relationship to God? What does it say about His love?

Adjusting Focus
It matters to God that we are connected to one another. Take time to reflect upon your life and those you are connected to.

In times of trouble, who are those people you reach out to for support?

Are you spiritually connected to God? Have you acknowledged your need for Jesus' love, acceptance, and forgiveness?

What could you do to be more connected to Jesus and to other believers?

How can you learn to be more sensitive to the needs of others around you during this next week, month, and year?

Maintaining Focus
How is God's Spirit prompting you to grow on the faith journey? A step I will take to pursue a healthy life:

____________________________________________

Closing Prayer
Take time at the close of your time together to pray for God’s assistance in the journey. Depending on how comfortable group members feel, here are some ways you could pray:

· Write out a personal prayer.
· Have the group facilitator or a designated member of the group pray.
· Have members of the group get into a smaller group to pray for one another.
· Have several members of the group pray aloud and then conclude.

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