Embracing Community: God's Call to Connection

 

Summary

God is a God of new beginnings, and today is a fresh start. Let go of yesterday, for God's mercy is new every morning. Today, we focus on finding God in people. As we explore the early chapters of Genesis, we see a recurring theme: God creates, and it is good. Light, sky, earth, and creatures—all are good. Yet, in Genesis 2, God declares something "not good": human aloneness. This isn't just about marriage; it's about the fundamental need for community. Even Jesus, who lived a perfect life, was single, showing that a flourishing life is possible without marriage. The term "good" in Genesis is functional, indicating that everything was created to fulfill God's purpose. Humans were made to be part of a community, to contribute to God's cosmic project. Alone, we cannot achieve this.

The invitation today is to move toward people. Consider what barriers prevent you from connecting with others. Social media often distracts us from real-life connections, as illustrated by Tish Harrison Warren's story of missing her daughter's performance due to a Twitter distraction. This highlights the importance of being present with those we love. Social media can create a false sense of connection, leading to loneliness and isolation. The Surgeon General has noted that loneliness is a growing issue, even among the wealthy. True wealth is found in relationships, not material possessions.

Take practical steps to connect with others. Spend 15 minutes reaching out to someone, whether through a call, text, or face-to-face conversation. Introduce yourself to neighbors or reconnect with someone from your past. Genuine curiosity and engagement can bridge divides and foster community. Remember, it is not good to be alone. Take one step toward someone today and embrace the community God has placed around you.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Mercy and New Beginnings: Every day is a new opportunity to experience God's mercy and grace. Let go of past mistakes and embrace the fresh start God offers each morning. This mindset allows us to find God in the people and moments of our daily lives. [00:45]

2. The Importance of Community: Genesis teaches us that it is not good for humans to be alone. We are created for community, to be part of God's cosmic project. This need for connection goes beyond marriage and speaks to our fundamental human nature. [01:59]

3. The Distraction of Social Media: Social media can distract us from meaningful connections. Tish Harrison Warren's story reminds us to be present with those we love, as moments missed cannot be reclaimed. Prioritize real-life interactions over digital ones. [04:14]

4. Loneliness in a Wealthy Society: Despite material wealth, many experience relational poverty. The Surgeon General highlights the loneliness epidemic, emphasizing that true fulfillment comes from relationships, not possessions. [09:45]

5. Practical Steps to Connect: Take intentional steps to connect with others. Spend time reaching out to someone, whether through a call, text, or face-to-face conversation. Building community requires effort, but it is essential for fulfilling God's purpose for our lives. [10:03]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - God's New Beginnings
- [00:58] - Finding God in People
- [01:14] - The Goodness of Creation
- [01:47] - Not Good to Be Alone
- [02:13] - Beyond Marriage
- [02:43] - Functional Goodness
- [03:09] - The Call to Community
- [03:40] - Social Media Distractions
- [04:14] - Missing Important Moments
- [05:17] - The Impact of Social Media
- [07:20] - The Loneliness Epidemic
- [09:45] - Relational Poverty
- [10:03] - Steps to Connect
- [11:33] - Embracing Community

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Genesis 2:18 - "The Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.'"
- Lamentations 3:22-23 - "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Observation Questions:
1. In Genesis 2:18, what does God declare as "not good," and how does this contrast with the rest of creation? [01:47]
2. How does the sermon describe the term "good" in the context of Genesis, and what does it imply about God's creation? [02:43]
3. What example does the sermon provide to illustrate the distraction of social media, and what was the consequence of this distraction? [04:26]
4. According to the sermon, what is the Surgeon General's observation about loneliness in society? [09:45]

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might God have declared human aloneness as "not good," even though Adam was in the presence of God? What does this suggest about the nature of human relationships? [03:09]
2. How does the sermon suggest that social media impacts our ability to connect with others, and what are the potential consequences of this impact? [05:17]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that material wealth can lead to relational poverty, and how does this relate to the concept of true wealth? [08:02]
4. How does the sermon interpret the idea of "new beginnings" in relation to God's mercy, and what does this mean for our daily lives? [00:45]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your daily routine. Are there specific moments where you can intentionally seek out community and connection with others? How can you make this a priority? [10:03]
2. Consider your use of social media. Are there specific steps you can take to minimize its distraction and focus more on real-life interactions? What might those steps look like? [04:14]
3. Think about a time when you felt lonely despite being surrounded by people or material wealth. What steps can you take to build deeper, more meaningful relationships? [09:45]
4. Identify one person in your life you haven't connected with in a while. What practical steps can you take this week to reach out and reconnect with them? [10:18]
5. Reflect on the barriers that prevent you from moving toward people. What are they, and how can you begin to overcome them? [03:24]
6. How can you incorporate the idea of "new beginnings" into your daily life, especially in your interactions with others? What changes might this require in your mindset or behavior? [00:45]
7. Consider joining or starting a community activity, like the neighborhood gathering mentioned in the sermon. What steps can you take to make this happen in your own community? [10:46]

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace Daily Renewal with God's Mercy
Every day is an opportunity to experience God's mercy and grace anew. The past, with its mistakes and regrets, does not define you. Instead, each morning offers a fresh start, a chance to let go of what was and embrace what can be. This mindset allows you to find God in the people and moments of your daily life, recognizing His presence in the ordinary and the extraordinary. By focusing on the present, you open yourself to the transformative power of God's love and mercy, which are new every morning. [00:45]

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23, ESV)

Reflection: What past mistake or regret do you need to release today to fully embrace the new mercies God offers you?


Day 2: Created for Community, Not Isolation
Genesis reveals that it is not good for humans to be alone. This truth speaks to our fundamental need for community, which goes beyond marriage to encompass all forms of human connection. We are created to be part of God's cosmic project, contributing to His purpose through our relationships with others. Even Jesus, who lived a perfect life, demonstrated that a flourishing life is possible without marriage, emphasizing the importance of community in fulfilling God's design for humanity. [01:59]

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life can you reach out to today to strengthen your sense of community and support?


Day 3: Prioritize Presence Over Digital Distractions
Social media often distracts us from meaningful, real-life connections. The story of missing important moments due to digital distractions serves as a reminder to be present with those we love. While social media can create a false sense of connection, it often leads to loneliness and isolation. Prioritizing real-life interactions over digital ones allows us to build deeper, more authentic relationships, fostering a sense of belonging and community. [04:14]

"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to minimize digital distractions and be more present with those around you?


Day 4: True Wealth Lies in Relationships, Not Possessions
Despite material wealth, many experience relational poverty. The loneliness epidemic, highlighted by the Surgeon General, underscores the truth that true fulfillment comes from relationships, not possessions. In a society that often equates success with material wealth, it is essential to remember that genuine wealth is found in the depth and quality of our relationships with others. [09:45]

"Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it." (Proverbs 15:17, ESV)

Reflection: How can you invest in your relationships today to cultivate true wealth and fulfillment?


Day 5: Take Intentional Steps to Build Community
Building community requires intentional effort. By taking practical steps to connect with others, such as reaching out through a call, text, or face-to-face conversation, you can foster a sense of belonging and support. Genuine curiosity and engagement can bridge divides and create meaningful connections, fulfilling God's purpose for your life. Remember, it is not good to be alone, and embracing the community around you is essential for a flourishing life. [10:03]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: Who is one person you can reach out to today to strengthen your community and encourage one another in love and good works?

Quotes


God is a god of new beginnings so take a deep breath let go of yesterday because God forgives our sins as far as the East is from the West receive this day because his Mercy is our new every morning and that includes this morning lift up your hearts I'm gonna find God in every moment and particularly today we're going to find them in people the word for today is people begin to think about the people in your life that you will see today [00:28:49]

as God creates it's good separates light from the darkness makes light he sees light that's good the day that's good the sky that's good the Earth dry land that's good um plants flowers trees that's good great creatures in the sea the birds above it's good when it gets done with it all it's very good until we come to the second chapter and that quite remarkable statement where God says not good up until this moment the Hebrew word is told good good good good good good good all together very good and then not good for human beings to be alone [01:14:00]

very often this is misunderstood because there is Adam and Eva's coming and we'll talk about that more people interpret this simply in terms of marriage and sometimes even think that to be married is a more normal State than to be not married or that it's a Superior State in spite of the fact that the greatest life that has ever been lived was lived by Jesus who of course was single so it is possible to have a flourishing life quite apart from that [01:59:00]

but human beings were created to fulfill God's project to be a part of his Cosmic efforts and to create a beautiful community that could flourish throughout the Earth and one person cannot do that by themselves so not good not good not good you will notice even though Adam was existing in the presence of God it was still not good we need each other we cannot do what God is calling us to do by ourselves [03:09:00]

there's an article by Tish Harrison Warren recently in the New York Times for her with social media the first time I truly admitted something was a rhyme I used to social media was the day of my daughter's first grade Christmas performance in 2019. she had been anticipating the show for weeks practicing her song again and again I raised my work schedule to be there was running a little late but I could make it if I heard as I was getting ready to leave a Twitter conversation was on my mind [03:40:00]

I entered the auditorium at my daughter's school moments after her class had finished their songs I missed it well my daughter realized I hadn't seen her sing her face fell she didn't cry or blame me but she was clearly and justly disappointed I was too there are only so many kids Christmas performances we get in this life when their little voices are all full of innocence and joy when their tiny fingers wave at you from the stage when they still desperately want you there not good being alone [04:34:00]

Jonathan height finds that more than two-thirds of us believe that the impact of social media overall on our relational lives on our levels of Civility problems of depression and anxiety particularly among young women create more difficulties than they do today move towards people if that means moving away from the screen for a little while do that it is not good to be alone because we were made for Community with each other [05:17:00]

it is so not good for people to be alone that the Surgeon General has been writing about this he writes we have become a lonely Nation it's time to fix that this is just a few days ago a patient of mine he says one shared with me in a most unusual way he had worked for years in the food industry with a modest salary and a humble lifestyle then he won the lottery overnight his life changed he quit his job moved to a large house gated community yet as he sat across from me he sadly declared winning the lottery was one of the worst things that ever happened to me [07:20:00]

wealthy but alone wealthy but alone not good not good this once vivacious social man no longer knew his neighbors lost touch with his former co-workers soon developed blood pressure and diabetes certain General rights I thought about his story in 2017 when I found myself struggling with loneliness my first stint as Surgeon General had ended I was suddenly disconnected from the colleagues with whom I had spent most of my waking hours [08:09:00]

loneliness like depression with which it can be Associated can ship away and erode your sense of who you are at any one moment about one out of every two Americans is experiencing measurable levels of loneliness as our society has grown increasingly wealthily financially affluent we have grown relationally impoverished so today move towards the people in your life today not alone spend 15 minutes reaching out to the people in your life so that you can connect [09:45:00]

spend 15 minutes today whatever else you do calling texting talking face to face letting somebody know that you love them that you care about them you can introduce yourself to your neighbors there may be some that you don't know this very day in a couple of hours Nance and I are going to go up onto there's a cul-de-sac kind of a circular area and once a week all the Neighbors in our neighborhood bring lawn chairs out there and sit and talk with each other neighbors used to do that kind of thing it's not good to be alone [10:03:00]

sit down with somebody that you don't know real well or maybe somebody that you disagree with and talk with them about what do they think be genuinely curious about that if there is somebody from the history of your life to whom you owe it that give him a call write him a letter you can do this today remember not good to be alone one step towards somebody end of teaching beginning of your day with God and the people that he made and loves [11:33:00]

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Transcript
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