Grounded in Truth: Core Values for Relationships
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the importance of being grounded in core values, particularly within the context of marriage, family, and church life. We began by discussing the three critical areas where couples should align: religion, money, and parenting. These foundational aspects can significantly impact the harmony and success of a relationship. My wife, Hannah, and I found that while we were mostly on the same page, the arrival of children brought unexpected challenges and changes to our preconceived notions about parenting. However, our shared core values helped us navigate these differences without major conflicts.
We then transitioned to discussing the core values of our church, Grace, which include being grounded in truth, radical generosity, authentic love, countless second chances, and engaged in community. These values are not just words on a wall but are meant to guide our personal discipleship and collective mission to make disciples who make disciples. Today, we focused on the first core value: being grounded in truth. In a world where truth is often subjective and relative, we emphasized that our grounding should be in Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life.
Being grounded in truth means more than just adhering to specific doctrines or theological positions. It involves a deep, personal relationship with Jesus, who is the cornerstone of our faith. This relationship should influence every aspect of our lives, from our daily decisions to how we interact with others. We also discussed the importance of creating a culture of curiosity and accountability within our church community. This allows us to approach disagreements with a spirit of understanding and love, rather than conflict and division.
Finally, we reflected on the practical ways to stay connected to Jesus, such as through prayer, scripture reading, and community involvement. We concluded with a time of communion, inviting the Holy Spirit to convict us of areas where we may not be as grounded in the truth as we should be.
### Key Takeaways
1. Alignment in Key Areas: For couples, aligning on religion, money, and parenting is crucial. These foundational aspects can significantly impact the harmony and success of a relationship. While differences may arise, having a shared foundation in core values can help navigate these challenges without major conflicts. [01:21]
2. Core Values in Church: Our church's core values—grounded in truth, radical generosity, authentic love, countless second chances, and engaged in community—are not just words but guiding principles. These values help us in our personal discipleship and collective mission to make disciples who make disciples. [09:33]
3. Grounded in Truth: Being grounded in truth means having a deep, personal relationship with Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life. This relationship should influence every aspect of our lives, from our daily decisions to how we interact with others. [12:18]
4. Culture of Curiosity and Accountability: Creating a culture of curiosity and accountability within our church allows us to approach disagreements with a spirit of understanding and love. This helps us grow together in our faith, grounded in the truth of Jesus Christ. [19:06]
5. Practical Connection to Jesus: Staying connected to Jesus involves practical steps like prayer, scripture reading, and community involvement. This connection should be consistent and influence all aspects of our lives, ensuring that we remain grounded in the truth. [15:01]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:21] - Importance of Alignment in Marriage
[02:34] - Shared Core Values in Marriage
[03:56] - Prioritizing Faith, Marriage, and Parenting
[05:21] - Core Values in Personal and Professional Life
[06:41] - Discovering Church Core Values
[08:01] - Mission of Making Disciples
[09:33] - Introduction to Core Values
[10:50] - Grounded in Truth
[12:18] - Jesus as the Cornerstone
[13:36] - Evolving Faith and Understanding
[15:01] - Practical Ways to Stay Connected
[16:25] - Decision-Making Guided by Truth
[17:44] - Culture of Curiosity and Accountability
[19:06] - Handling Disagreements in Love
[20:34] - Example of Curiosity in Disagreements
[21:57] - Authentic Love and Accountability
[23:21] - Unity in Diversity
[25:00] - The Foundation of Jesus Christ
[26:35] - Self-Reflection and Communion
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 14:6 - "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"
2. John 15:4-5 - "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing."
3. Isaiah 28:16 - "Therefore the Lord God said, 'Look, I have laid a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation. The one who believes will be unshaken.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. According to John 14:6, what does Jesus claim about Himself? How does this relate to being grounded in truth?
2. In John 15:4-5, what analogy does Jesus use to describe our relationship with Him? What does this imply about our dependence on Him?
3. How does Isaiah 28:16 describe the foundation that God has laid? What characteristics are attributed to this cornerstone?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to be "grounded in truth" according to the sermon? How does this concept go beyond just adhering to specific doctrines? [10:50]
2. How can the analogy of the vine and branches in John 15:4-5 help us understand the importance of staying connected to Jesus in our daily lives? [15:01]
3. The sermon mentioned creating a culture of curiosity and accountability within the church. How can this culture help us approach disagreements with a spirit of understanding and love? [19:06]
4. Reflect on the core values of the church mentioned in the sermon. How do these values support the mission of making disciples who make disciples? [09:33]
#### Application Questions
1. Think about your own life. Are there areas where you and your spouse (or close relationships) need better alignment in terms of religion, money, or parenting? How can you work towards this alignment? [01:21]
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of being grounded in Jesus rather than just doctrines. How can you deepen your personal relationship with Jesus this week? What specific steps will you take? [12:18]
3. In what ways can you contribute to creating a culture of curiosity and accountability in your small group or church community? How can you approach disagreements with a spirit of understanding and love? [19:06]
4. Reflect on the practical ways mentioned in the sermon to stay connected to Jesus, such as prayer, scripture reading, and community involvement. Which of these practices do you need to focus on more, and how will you incorporate them into your daily routine? [15:01]
5. The sermon discussed the importance of core values in guiding our decisions. What are some core values you hold personally, and how do they influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? [05:21]
6. How can you ensure that your actions and decisions are consistently grounded in the truth of Jesus Christ, especially in challenging situations? Share a recent experience where you struggled with this and how you can improve. [16:25]
7. During the sermon, the pastor invited the Holy Spirit to convict us of areas where we may not be as grounded in the truth as we should be. Take a moment to reflect and share any areas in your life where you feel this conviction. How can your small group support you in becoming more grounded in those areas? [26:35]
Devotional
Day 1: Aligning in Key Areas for Harmony
In any relationship, particularly in marriage, aligning on core values such as religion, money, and parenting is crucial. These foundational aspects can significantly impact the harmony and success of a relationship. Differences are inevitable, but having a shared foundation in core values can help navigate these challenges without major conflicts. For instance, couples who share the same religious beliefs can find common ground in their faith, which can guide their decisions and actions. Similarly, agreeing on financial priorities and parenting styles can prevent misunderstandings and foster a more cohesive family unit.
When couples are aligned in these key areas, they are better equipped to face life's challenges together. This alignment doesn't mean that they will never disagree, but it does mean that they have a common framework for resolving conflicts. This shared foundation can be a source of strength and stability, helping couples to support each other and grow together. [01:21]
Bible Passage:
"Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?" (Amos 3:3, ESV)
Reflection:
Think about your own relationships. Are there areas where you and your partner or close friends need to align more closely? What steps can you take today to start building a stronger foundation in those areas?
Day 2: Core Values in Church Life
The core values of a church are not just words on a wall but guiding principles that shape the community's identity and mission. At Grace Church, these values include being grounded in truth, radical generosity, authentic love, countless second chances, and engaged in community. These values help individuals in their personal discipleship and the collective mission to make disciples who make disciples. When a church community embraces these values, it creates an environment where members can grow in their faith and support one another.
These core values are meant to be lived out in everyday actions and decisions. For example, being grounded in truth means seeking to understand and live by the teachings of Jesus. Radical generosity involves giving freely of one's time, resources, and love. Authentic love means caring for others genuinely and selflessly. Countless second chances reflect the grace and forgiveness that God extends to us, and being engaged in community means actively participating in the life of the church and supporting one another. [09:33]
Bible Passage:
"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:
Reflect on the core values of your church. How can you personally embody these values in your daily life? What is one specific action you can take this week to live out one of these values?
Day 3: Grounded in Truth
Being grounded in truth means having a deep, personal relationship with Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life. This relationship should influence every aspect of our lives, from our daily decisions to how we interact with others. In a world where truth is often seen as subjective and relative, grounding ourselves in the truth of Jesus provides a solid foundation for our faith and actions. This involves more than just adhering to specific doctrines or theological positions; it requires a genuine, ongoing relationship with Jesus.
This relationship with Jesus should be the cornerstone of our faith, guiding us in our decisions and interactions. It calls us to live with integrity, honesty, and love, reflecting the character of Christ in all that we do. By staying connected to Jesus through prayer, scripture reading, and community involvement, we can remain grounded in the truth and navigate the complexities of life with wisdom and grace. [12:18]
Bible Passage:
"Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." (John 17:17, ESV)
Reflection:
Consider your relationship with Jesus. Are there areas of your life where you are not fully grounded in His truth? What practical steps can you take today to deepen your connection with Him?
Day 4: Cultivating Curiosity and Accountability
Creating a culture of curiosity and accountability within a church community allows members to approach disagreements with a spirit of understanding and love. This helps the community grow together in faith, grounded in the truth of Jesus Christ. Curiosity involves being open to learning and understanding different perspectives, while accountability means holding each other to the standards of Christ-like behavior. Together, these qualities foster a supportive and nurturing environment where members can grow spiritually and relationally.
In such a culture, disagreements are seen as opportunities for growth rather than sources of conflict. Members are encouraged to ask questions, seek understanding, and support one another in their faith journeys. This approach helps to build a strong, united community that reflects the love and grace of Jesus. By embracing curiosity and accountability, the church can navigate differences with compassion and wisdom, strengthening the bonds of fellowship and mutual support. [19:06]
Bible Passage:
"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." (Galatians 6:1, ESV)
Reflection:
Think about a recent disagreement or conflict you experienced. How could approaching it with curiosity and accountability have changed the outcome? What steps can you take to foster these qualities in your interactions with others?
Day 5: Practical Connection to Jesus
Staying connected to Jesus involves practical steps like prayer, scripture reading, and community involvement. This connection should be consistent and influence all aspects of our lives, ensuring that we remain grounded in the truth. Regular prayer helps us to communicate with God and seek His guidance, while scripture reading allows us to understand His will and grow in our knowledge of Him. Community involvement provides support and encouragement, helping us to stay accountable and connected to other believers.
These practices are not just religious rituals but vital components of a vibrant, growing relationship with Jesus. They help us to stay focused on Him and align our lives with His teachings. By making these practices a regular part of our daily routine, we can ensure that our faith remains strong and that we are continually growing in our relationship with Jesus. [15:01]
Bible Passage:
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me." (John 15:4, ESV)
Reflection:
Reflect on your daily routine. Are there specific practices you can incorporate to stay more connected to Jesus? What changes can you make today to ensure that your relationship with Him is a priority?
Quotes
1. "When it comes to religion, money, and parenting. Those three things are absolutely essential to at least agree all the way, or almost all the way, if not all the way. There might be a little bit of room for disagreement, but for the most part, those are areas that are going to be crucially important. How involved are we going to be in church? What denomination, to what level are we going to serve and give of our finances? How are we going to structure our finances? What's going to be our mentality around our finances and how we're going to parent?" [01:21] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "What I think helped so much in being able to have these conversations and them not being big fights and arguments that blew things up and one was angry at the other is that we shared a common foundation. And I'm not just talking about our faith and the foundation of Jesus Christ. I'm talking about some core values and principles that we shared." [02:34] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Our first objective was to glorify God, right? We cared about our faith, that it was more than something we do on Sunday. We strive to honor him in any and every aspect in our life, personally and as a couple. That is priority number one. Priority number two is our marriage, right? It's not going to help our kids if our marriage isn't where it needs to be. And so our marriage needed to be priority number two." [03:56] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We are organized here in the organizational structure of a church to do that together as a community. And so this is the end game, the end goal of these core values, is to help us individually in our discipleship and help us as a church. And this is just language. There's nothing super holy or spiritual. Other churches might have other language that they use but this is common language for us to use here at Grace to stay on mission, to stay on task and focused on what God is calling us to." [09:33] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The reality, as he mentioned, is that truth is not something that's valued in our world today. We have one politician on one side saying this is the truth. And if the other side is saying something different, they're lying. And they say the same thing on the other side about that side, right? It goes back and forth. We live in a culture where whatever is true for you can be true for you. And whatever is true for me is true for me. And you just don't criticize my truth and I won't criticize your truth. And we can get along with that. And that works great, right? Nothing wrong with that at all. Except it just doesn't work." [10:50] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "It is important for us not to be grounded in our understanding of who Jesus is or our right doctrines or theology, but in Jesus himself. Here's a humbling thought that I have had to wrestle with and come to terms many, many times. My faith has changed since I was a freshman in Bible college, right? I don't believe anything wildly different, but it has changed. And my understanding of faith, of who God is, of who Jesus is, it has changed a lot since I was a freshman in high school." [13:36] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "The only way we can survive, the only way we get water and nutrients and we can thrive and produce fruit and survive. This world is if we stay connected and grounded in him. This looks like a lot of different things. This looks like prayer. This looks like scripture reading. This means like spending time away alone with God. This means coming to church and a community of believers. This can look like a lot of things. But what this is not is just coming to church once a week." [15:01] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Being grounded in truth is not something that we just do occasionally, but it impacts every single aspect of all that we do. Right? Being grounded in the truth guides the decisions that we make. This is true for you as an individual. This is true for us as a church. When our elders get together once a month and talk about the things of this church and what's going on and make decisions and all that kind of thing, most of the things that we talk about, they're not really mentioned in this book anywhere." [16:25] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "At the end of the day, we are going to disagree. You're going to have your opinions. I'm going to have my opinions. Other people are going to have their opinions. It could be similar. It could be completely different. What we are looking for, the beauty of the body of Christ, the beauty of the body of Christ, the beauty of the body of Christ, the beauty of the Christ is not uniformity. It is not the same. There is room in the body of Christ to differ." [23:21] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "We have this common foundation on Jesus Christ that we look to him. We stand on him, united on him, and who he is, son of God, creator and sustainer of the universe. And so my question for you this week as we think about this value is just asking ourselves this question, am I grounded in the truth? Not what I think the truth is, not what I believe the truth to be. Am I actually grounded in the truth?" [26:35] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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