Connect.Belong.Grow
SESSION 1: Community – The Need to Belong
Although we have more ways to connect than ever before with technology, many of us still feel lonely and lack real community. This shows us that God's plan in the Bible is to build community and have meaningful CONTACT with one another. We need to create and take opportunities to connect.Pray beforehand that the Holy Spirit will encourage people to want to make more meaningful connections throughout this series and feel the need to belong.
Read
Genesis 2:18
Psalm 68:6
Discussion
- Why do you think it’s harder to find genuine connection and community today?
- How does technology (smartphones, social media, internet access) help connection, and how does it hinder connection?
- Why do you think that God says it is “not good to be alone”?
- How can church provide that sense of “family” for people?
- What opportunities are there for you to get better connected at church? How can you take those opportunities?
Challenge
The "Reach Out" Challenge: This week, connect with one person at church whom you don't know well. This could be as simple as saying hello and having a quick chat after the service and perhaps inviting them for a coffee, or even offering a small act of service.
Guided Prayer
Youth Alpha kicked off last Friday! Let’s pray for:
- Open Hearts: Pray for openness to Jesus among friends of youth, those on the fringe of church, and Heathside school kids. Specifically, pray for awareness of Alpha and for the outreach on Heathside Green next week to draw many to explore faith.
- Invite 100: Pray for the youth ministry's "Invite 100" vision – that many new young people will encounter God and find a sense of belonging within the group.
- Salvations: Pray for people to accept Jesus during Alpha and for lasting spiritual growth.
SESSION 2: Connection: Big Church / Small Church
Smaller church meetings are where you feel known and connected, and bigger meetings are where you feel inspired. We need to plug into both sides and know how to engage with both sides.Pray for the Holy Spirit to soften people’s hearts to see why we need both a big and a small church.
Read
Acts 20:20
Acts 2:46
Genesis 3:7-11
Discussion
- What key ideas or distinctions about "Big Church" and "Small Church" stood out to you from the teaching? What examples from the Bible or Jesus' ministry highlighted this for you?
- Ps. Steve mentioned that different needs are met in different sized gatherings. What are some of your own needs that are better met in larger church settings, and what needs are better met in smaller ones?
- Why do you think Ps Steve emphasised that “the Church has always had these two sides?” How does the example of Paul's ministry (Acts 20:20) and the Early Church (Acts 2:46) illustrate the value of both public and personal connection?
- Reflecting on Jesus' interactions with different group sizes (from close friends to large crowds), what do you think was the unique purpose and impact of each type of gathering in His ministry? How might this apply to our church today?
- Why do you think smaller groups, in particular, "call us into vulnerability?” How does the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 illustrate the impact of a lack of vulnerability?
- In what area of your church experience (Big Church or Small Church) do you feel more connected? Is there an area where you feel less engaged or less vulnerable? What is one step you could take this week to lean into greater connection or vulnerability in that area?7 - Consider this: as the Church gets bigger, it needs to get smaller. How can you personally contribute to fostering deeper connections and vulnerability within our smaller group settings? What might that look like practically for you?
Challenge
Intentional Engagement: This week, step slightly outside your comfort zone to engage more in either a large or small church setting. In the large gathering, consider introducing yourself or participating actively. In your small group, aim to share more vulnerably. Reflect on how this intentional engagement impacts your connection and inspiration.
SESSION 3: Contribution – Meaningful Friendships
The role of the leaders is not to do the ministry but to equip people to do the ministry. Pray for the Holy Spirit to challenge us to build each other up the way God intended us to.
Read
Romans 12:5
Ephesians 4:25
Discussion
- Equippers is a "whole group of friends challenging/championing one another.“ How does this contrast with the idea of leaders doing all the ministry?
- Ephesians 4:11-16 introduces the concept of "mutual ministry." What stands out to you about the different roles mentioned and how they contribute to the body building itself up?
- Regarding the “one another” passages, were there any specific commands (positive or negative) that particularly struck you?
- Why are the commands to "love one another" and "encourage one another" so important for Christians, demonstrating God's love to others? What are some simple ways we can incorporate these practices into our daily lives?
- Think about the Church like a human body, where every part has a job. How does everyone doing their part connect to us, helping each other in friendships and the Church? What happens if some parts of the body don't do their job?
- Think about your close friendships within the church. In what ways do you actively "contribute" to these relationships, both giving and receiving support and encouraging, and challenging one another? Is there an area where you could be more intentional in your contribution?
Challenge
Consider one or two of the "one another" commands that you feel particularly challenged by or inspired to grow in. What is one small, practical step you could take this week to more intentionally live out that command in your interactions with others in the church?
SESSION 4: Coming Together – Connection and Growth
“Equippers is a whole group of friends challenging or championing one another to go higher in Christ.” The two characteristics of eGroups are being friends, and going higher. We need both.Pray for the Holy Spirit to help us connect more deeply and learn how to grow together as we go on this journey of discipleship.
Read
John 15:15
Discussion
- How do the terms "fellowship and discipleship" or "connection and growth" resonate with your own experience in small groups?
- How do the terms "fellowship and discipleship" or "connection and growth" resonate with your own experience in small groups?
- Reflecting on the story of the paralysed man in Luke 5, what does it teach us about the role of friends in helping us encounter Jesus and in supporting us through difficult times? Can you think of a time you were either carrying a friend or being carried by friends?
- Discipleship is a journey of "being with Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and doing what Jesus did." How do you see your small group experience contributing to these aspects of your discipleship? In what areas do you feel you are growing, and where do you desire more growth?
- Why do you think the sacrifice of “laying down our preferences” for the sake of connection and growth is essential for a healthy small group dynamic, and for our overall spiritual growth together?
Challenge
Intentional Connection: This week, make a deliberate effort to connect with one or two members of our group outside of our regular meeting time. This could be a quick text, a phone call, grabbing coffee, or offering help with something.
SESSION 5: Communicating: Skills for Social & Personal Connection
Church is not a place where everyone knows everyone, but where everyone is known by someone.Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal practical ways we can apply the principles of healthy communication to strengthen our connections both within, and outside of our small group.
Read
James 1:19
Proverbs 18:13
Ephesians 4:16
Discussion
- Ps Steve described four "spaces" where we connect: public, social, personal, and intimate, and a healthy community mixes well in all areas, with more casual connections happening than deep, intimate ones. Why do you think that kind of balance is important in church? What do you think might happen if it gets too lopsided one way or the other?
- Thinking about those four spaces, is there one where you feel really comfortable, and perhaps others where you feel a little less so?
- What's one small thing you could try this week to stretch yourself a little in that less familiar space?
- How do we develop our group so there is a positive social connection, but we are also able to move to a closer, more personal connection?
- How can we get better at listening to each other and hearing what is behind what is said?
Challenge
Space-Aware Communication: This week, focus on your communication in one of the four "spaces" (public, social, personal, intimate). Choose a small way to stretch yourself in that space – like welcoming someone new in public, initiating a conversation socially, asking deeper questions personally. Notice how it affects your connection and share your insights next time.
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