Wisdom, Transcendence, Belonging

As we look towards the next year and beyond, these three words are what we feel called to focus on. This series is meant to give vision to our church on how to grow in wisdom, transcendence, and belonging.

Biblical Belonging - February 2nd

As Christians, the New Testament says that we "belong" to Jesus and that we "belong" to the church. But what does it mean to really belong? So many believers settle for simply visiting or attending rather than belonging. In other words, so many people settle for less than what God wants for them. Why do we settle for less than God has for us and how can we move towards belonging?

Questions/Discussions:
1. Read I Cor. 12:12-20. What does this passage teach us about belonging?
2. How have you experienced belonging in this group?
3. Do you need to re-order anything in your life to be more present in small group? How do we make sure we're not too busy to find belonging with each other and the church?
4. To be fully loved by each other, we need to be fully known. How are you doing letting the group truly know you? Could our group create more space to practice being known? (ex. accountability time, prayer requests, share testimonies).
5. We are on the journey with this small group to belong, which is awesome! But how can we help other people experience belonging outside of small group?

Action Step: Identify where you are on the journey... (visiting - attending - connecting - belonging) and take the next step toward belonging.

Note: New series on the Gospel of John starts next week!!


Transcendence: Where's the Magic? - January 26th

The biblical world was filled with spiritual energy and activity, and our world isn't. Or at least, it doesn't seem to be. Why? Because we live in a secular age in which we've forgotten how to expect to experience a living God who shows up in our lives.

Questions/Discussions:
1. Read Acts 2:1-13, 2:43-3:10. What do you think about this scene in scripture? Why do you think we don’t experience miracles like this today?
2. When was the last time you experienced the living God, active in our world?
3. Read Mark 6:1-6. Do you expect the living God to show up in your life? Why or why not? Do you think you have missed experiencing God, because you haven’t thought to expect him?
4. Read Matthew 18:3. What does it mean to not be childish, but childlike?
5. Where do you want to expect God more in your life? (Everywhere duh, but is there a specific area you need to expect him more?)
6. Why is transcendence important to consider for our church? Dream about what it could mean if we all started to expect God more!

Action Step: Expect to experience a living God who shows up in your life.


Wisdom: (Not) Kicking Against the Goads - January 19th

We want to be a church that diligently seeks wisdom because we live in a foolish age. We're the smartest people to ever live, but we are very foolish because we've untethered ourselves from ancient sources of wisdom in the mistaken belief this is liberation, but it's madness. True wisdom is not being your own authority, but submitting yourself to the authority of God mediated through Scripture.

Questions/Discussions:
1. Read Acts 26:12-18. Are you kicking against the goads? Are you fighting against a calling on your life?
2. Austin said, "disobedience to God is the ultimate form of self-harm." Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?
3. Austin also said, "God wants your life to go well for you!" Do you believe this? Why or why not?
4. Are you hungry for God's wisdom? Is scripture your anchor or is the self your anchor? (more scripture to read and discuss: 2 Timothy 3:16, Matthew 4:4, Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
5. Do you have any challenges when approaching scripture you want to process with the group?

Action Step: Read a passage of Scripture a day.