Week 1 – Created to Belong
We all have a desire to belong to something. It may be, we want to belong to a certain group of friends, be a part of a team, and of course, be part of a family. The feeling of being left out or isolated is difficult. In Ecclesiastes 4:6-9, we are told that ‘Two are better than one…’, basically that it’s not good to be alone and why we need others. Yet, where does that need to belong come from and why is it so powerful? As we explore our desire to belong, let’s look at what the Bible teaches about being created to belong.

Week 2 – The Power of Shared Purpose and a Biblical Framework
What an incredible blessing to know that we were created in God’s image and He wants us to belong to His family. Just as God saw that it wasn’t good for Adam to be alone, He also knows we need family and to belong. We were all born into some type of a family. For some, it was a nurturing one, but for others it was the opposite or fell somewhere in between. We don’t choose our biological family, but God gives us a choice about His family, our spiritual family. In our discussions, we’ll look at what the Bible teaches us about building and belonging to a spiritual family.

Week 3 – Invited to Connect
Once we give our lives to Christ, we become members of God’s family. He wants us to grow and thrive in our church with our spiritual family. In order to do this, He unites us together with common purpose. As we continue building our spiritual family, it is important to look at the purpose of community and how the Bible provides us with the foundation for successfully building a healthy spiritual community.

Week 4 – Equipped to Serve
Once you give your life to Christ and join a church, you might ask, what’s next? The decision to follow Jesus is so personal, yet it also provides the opportunity to belong, to connect to spiritual family, and become part of the community of the church. As believers and followers of Christ, it is not only imperative that we embrace new believers and members, but also know how to help them take their next step. So how are we to help others as we continue to grow? Through the Bible, Jesus teaches us four important principles to follow through His parable in Mark 4: a desire to connect, a heart to serve, a commitment to grow, and a willingness to lead.

Week 5 – Challenged to Grow
Being part of God’s family is such a blessing. As we read His Word and spend time in prayer, we draw closer to Him. That is our most important connection. Next, we are invited to connect with spiritual family. This connection happens in small groups. Once connected, the Bible provides us with the framework that will help equip us to serve.

Week 6 – Empowered to Lead
Giving our hearts to Christ is the most important thing we will ever do, and God has even more for us. He wants us to grow in all areas of our lives, but especially in our spiritual walk. As we are challenged to grow, God also wants us to be empowered to lead. Through growing in our faith and becoming empowered to lead, we are able to find true fulfillment.