Growing Together: The Power of Connection in Faith

Summary

### Summary

Good morning, Union Chapel. Today, we delved into the importance of connection and growth within our church community. Over the past 13 weeks, we've seen an influx of over 300 new attendees, which presents a unique opportunity for us to foster deeper connections. Our focus today is on the second part of our three-week series on our mission, vision, and values, specifically the "Grow" aspect of our UC3 framework: Know, Grow, Go.

We explored Ephesians 4:11-16, which emphasizes the roles within the church designed to equip believers for service and build up the body of Christ. This passage underscores the necessity of unity and maturity in faith, steering us away from spiritual infancy. Using the analogy of gardening, we discussed how plants need consistent care, water, and nutrients to thrive, much like how we need spiritual nourishment and community to grow in our faith.

A significant point raised was the concept of a "connection deficiency," where many of us lack meaningful relationships within the church. This deficiency can lead to delayed spiritual maturity and a lack of Christ-like character. To combat this, we must be intentional about connecting with others and engaging in small groups.

God designed us to grow, both individually and collectively. Spiritual growth is best achieved in small groups where genuine community, encouragement, and personalized care can flourish. Small groups provide a space to share life, support one another, and spur each other on towards love and good deeds. As we launch a new 14-week series, we challenge everyone to commit to being in a row (attending services) and in a circle (joining a small group), and to read the Sermon on the Mount daily.

### Key Takeaways

1. The Necessity of Connection: Many people suffer from a "connection deficiency," which hinders spiritual growth and maturity. True connection within the church community is essential for flourishing in faith and reflecting Christ-like character. [41:23]

2. God Designed Us to Grow: Spiritual growth is not optional but a divine design. Just as a child progresses from crawling to walking, we are called to move from spiritual infancy to maturity, continually growing in wisdom and Christ-like character. [45:25]

3. The Role of Small Groups: Small groups are vital for fostering genuine community, where we can know and be known by others. They provide a safe space to share life, support each other, and grow together in faith. [56:45]

4. Encouragement and Accountability: Small groups encourage spiritual growth by spurring one another on towards love and good deeds. This mutual encouragement and accountability are crucial for maintaining a vibrant and active faith. [59:31]

5. Personalized Care and Support: In small groups, we find personalized care and support, fulfilling the biblical mandate to carry each other's burdens. This deep level of care helps us navigate life's highs and lows with a supportive community. [01:02:38]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[35:36] - Introduction and Connection Invitation
[36:33] - Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:11-16
[37:36] - The Importance of Spiritual Growth
[38:30] - Gardening Analogy: Inspecting Our Spiritual Lives
[39:15] - The Impact of Deficiencies
[41:23] - Connection Deficiency Explained
[42:21] - Outcomes of Connection Deficiency
[43:18] - Two Points for Practical Application
[44:13] - Point 1: God Designed You to Grow
[45:25] - Spiritual Infancy vs. Maturity
[48:27] - Craving Spiritual Nourishment
[50:29] - Personal Story: The Importance of Staying Plugged In
[55:09] - Point 2: Spiritual Growth Happens Best in Small Groups
[56:45] - Small Groups Foster Genuine Community
[59:31] - Encouragement and Accountability in Small Groups
[01:02:38] - Personalized Care and Support in Small Groups
[01:04:06] - Rows and Circles: The Church's Dual Structure
[01:08:29] - How to Join or Host a Small Group
[01:10:02] - Prayer and Invitation to Connect
[01:16:11] - Benediction and Closing

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 4:11-16

### Observation Questions
1. What roles within the church are mentioned in Ephesians 4:11-16, and what is their purpose?
2. According to Ephesians 4:13, what are the goals for the body of Christ?
3. How does the analogy of gardening relate to our spiritual growth as discussed in the sermon? [38:30]
4. What is meant by "connection deficiency" as described in the sermon? [41:23]

### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is unity in faith and knowledge of the Son of God important for the church, according to Ephesians 4:13?
2. How does the concept of "connection deficiency" impact spiritual maturity and Christ-like character? [42:21]
3. In what ways do small groups foster genuine community and support spiritual growth? [56:45]
4. How does the analogy of a child progressing from crawling to walking illustrate spiritual growth? [45:25]

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current level of connection within the church. Do you feel you have a "connection deficiency"? If so, what steps can you take to address it? [41:23]
2. Think about a time when you experienced significant spiritual growth. What factors contributed to that growth, and how can you replicate those conditions now?
3. How can you be more intentional about fostering genuine community within your small group or church? [56:45]
4. What are some practical ways you can encourage and hold each other accountable in your small group? [59:31]
5. Identify a specific area in your life where you need personalized care and support. How can your small group help you in this area? [01:02:38]
6. How can you commit to being both "in a row" (attending services) and "in a circle" (joining a small group) over the next 14 weeks? [01:04:06]
7. What steps can you take to ensure you are consistently reading and reflecting on the Sermon on the Mount during the 14-week series? [01:05:30]

Devotional

### Day 1: The Necessity of Connection
Many people suffer from a "connection deficiency," which hinders spiritual growth and maturity. True connection within the church community is essential for flourishing in faith and reflecting Christ-like character. [41:23]

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to feel isolated even when surrounded by people. This "connection deficiency" can be particularly detrimental to our spiritual lives. Without meaningful relationships within the church, we may find ourselves struggling to grow in our faith and develop Christ-like character. The church is not just a place to attend services; it is a community where believers are meant to connect deeply with one another. These connections provide the support, encouragement, and accountability necessary for spiritual growth.

When we lack these meaningful relationships, our spiritual maturity can be delayed. We may find ourselves stuck in spiritual infancy, unable to move forward in our faith journey. To combat this, we must be intentional about building connections within our church community. This means stepping out of our comfort zones, engaging in small groups, and investing time in getting to know others. By doing so, we create an environment where we can flourish in our faith and reflect the character of Christ more fully.

Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV): "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

Reflection: Think of one person in your church community you haven't connected with deeply. How can you reach out to them this week to start building a meaningful relationship?

### Day 2: God Designed Us to Grow
Spiritual growth is not optional but a divine design. Just as a child progresses from crawling to walking, we are called to move from spiritual infancy to maturity, continually growing in wisdom and Christ-like character. [45:25]

God's design for us includes continuous growth in our spiritual lives. Just as a child naturally progresses from crawling to walking, we are called to move from spiritual infancy to maturity. This growth is not optional; it is a fundamental aspect of our faith journey. Spiritual growth involves developing wisdom, deepening our understanding of God's Word, and cultivating Christ-like character. It is a lifelong process that requires intentional effort and commitment.

Spiritual maturity is marked by stability in our faith, the ability to discern truth from falsehood, and a deeper relationship with God. It involves moving beyond basic teachings and embracing the fullness of God's wisdom. As we grow, we become more effective in our service to others and more reflective of Christ's love and character. This growth is best achieved within a supportive community where we can learn, be challenged, and encouraged by others.

Colossians 1:9-10 (ESV): "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Reflection: Identify one area of your spiritual life where you feel stagnant. What steps can you take this week to seek growth and maturity in that area?

### Day 3: The Role of Small Groups
Small groups are vital for fostering genuine community, where we can know and be known by others. They provide a safe space to share life, support each other, and grow together in faith. [56:45]

Small groups play a crucial role in the life of the church by fostering genuine community. In these smaller settings, individuals have the opportunity to know and be known by others. This level of intimacy is often difficult to achieve in larger gatherings. Small groups provide a safe space where people can share their lives, support one another, and grow together in their faith. They create an environment where authentic relationships can flourish, and where individuals can experience the love and care of a close-knit community.

In small groups, members can discuss their struggles, celebrate their victories, and pray for one another. This mutual support is essential for spiritual growth and emotional well-being. Small groups also offer opportunities for deeper study of God's Word, allowing members to ask questions, share insights, and apply biblical principles to their lives. By participating in a small group, individuals can experience the transformative power of community and grow in their relationship with God and others.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: Are you currently part of a small group? If not, what steps can you take to join one? If you are, how can you contribute more actively to the group's sense of community?

### Day 4: Encouragement and Accountability
Small groups encourage spiritual growth by spurring one another on towards love and good deeds. This mutual encouragement and accountability are crucial for maintaining a vibrant and active faith. [59:31]

One of the most significant benefits of small groups is the mutual encouragement and accountability they provide. In these settings, members can spur one another on towards love and good deeds. This encouragement is vital for maintaining a vibrant and active faith. When we are surrounded by others who are committed to growing in their faith, we are more likely to stay motivated and focused on our spiritual journey. Small groups create an environment where individuals can challenge each other to live out their faith in practical ways.

Accountability is another crucial aspect of small groups. When we have others who hold us accountable, we are more likely to stay on track and avoid spiritual complacency. Accountability partners can help us identify areas where we need to grow, provide constructive feedback, and offer support and encouragement. This mutual accountability helps us stay committed to our spiritual goals and fosters a sense of responsibility towards one another.

Galatians 6:1-2 (ESV): "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. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Reflection: Think of a specific area in your life where you need accountability. Who in your small group can you ask to help hold you accountable in this area?

### Day 5: Personalized Care and Support
In small groups, we find personalized care and support, fulfilling the biblical mandate to carry each other's burdens. This deep level of care helps us navigate life's highs and lows with a supportive community. [01:02:38]

Small groups offer a unique opportunity for personalized care and support. In these intimate settings, members can provide the kind of individualized attention that is often difficult to achieve in larger gatherings. This personalized care is essential for fulfilling the biblical mandate to carry each other's burdens. When we share our struggles and challenges with others, we allow them to come alongside us and offer support, encouragement, and prayer. This deep level of care helps us navigate life's highs and lows with a supportive community.

In small groups, members can offer practical help, emotional support, and spiritual guidance. Whether it's providing a meal for someone in need, offering a listening ear, or praying for a specific concern, small groups create an environment where individuals can experience the love and care of a close-knit community. This personalized support helps us feel valued and understood, and it strengthens our sense of belonging within the church.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV): "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did your small group or church community support you during that time? How can you offer similar support to someone else in your group?

Quotes

1. "Many people today are suffering from a connection deficiency. A connection deficiency. It's this idea that we're not plugged in and we're not connected. Now, you might see that and you may think, oh, man, that person wouldn't, they wouldn't have a connection deficiency. They're the life of the party. They're the extrovert that everybody wants to talk to. They're always at the water cooler and there's, you know, 20 people around them and they're talking about the weekend. But the reality is oftentimes what happens is we mask our connection deficiency with all those things." [41:23] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "God designed you to grow. Let me share something that I know for a fact. You will have both ups and downs in your life. You'll have seasons of joy and celebration, and you'll have seasons where it's just challenging, a hardship. Maybe it's a loss of a job, a sickness in your family, or a health crisis personally for you. And the reality is... There are some people here in our church who experience those highs and lows, and they are connected to a group of people that will pour into them, that will encourage them, that will support them, that will celebrate them, the good moments, and also help them in the challenging moments." [44:13] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "How many of us have come to a point in our life and we're an infant spiritually and now we've taken our first couple steps. We've popped up, we're on our feet, and then we stop. And then we go back and we settle for crawling. We settle for being an infant again, for being a baby again. When God's design is that we would be infants who would grow spiritually and then we would get to the point where we're walking and then we're running." [47:30] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "God wants us to mature. He wants us to grow in wisdom. He wants us to grow in understanding. He wants us to grow in Christ-like character, to actually look like Jesus in the things that we do. Why? Because life. Life. We need Jesus. We need Jesus in our lives to encounter the things that we go through every single day. And life with Jesus as the focal point, as the central element of your life, as your heartbeat, is how you were designed. But so many times we settle for infancy." [48:27] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Spiritual growth happens best in a small group. It does. It happens best in a small group. Now, some of you are sitting here today saying, why? Why is the church asking for something else of me? What we're doing, is displaying God's design for us as a family, as a church. So why small groups? For the person sitting here this morning or listening online who is away today, but is a regular part of our congregation, let me let you in on three brief reasons of why small groups are so significant and why God designed them as an essential piece." [55:09] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Friends, small groups foster genuine community. They do. They give you an opportunity to grow. Now, you may say, well, what is genuine community? What does that even mean? Well, friends, it is an opportunity to both know others and to be known by others. And for some of us, we go through life here at church and we're just fine only knowing the one person that we come in with. And as soon as we're done, or even at the closing song, we're beelining the door and headed to the car because we don't want to talk to anybody. But God did not design you that way." [56:45] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another all the more as you see the day approaching. Now, I brought this bag because I thought I might start getting hungry about this time. No, just kidding. Some of you have never in real life seen a spur. This is a spur. Some of you have only seen a spur on a cowboy show. People are jingling these as they're walking into the OK Corral, but this is a spur. This little piece right here, it motivates. It spurs on." [59:31] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "At Union Chapel, our goal is for every single person to do two things here. We want you to be in a row. This is a row. Look left, look right. This is a row. You're facing the stage. When we come together for corporate worship, we gather in this place, we stand, we sing songs of worship, not to the worship leaders, but to God as our audience, us proclaiming his goodness and worshiping him. And then we sit and we open up the word of God and we listen to one of our pastors proclaim God's goodness and proclaim the truth of the scriptures, the word of God." [01:02:38] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "God does not want you to go through life in either of those situations without having a circle of people. That you can share it with. And we believe that the church is a place to be here, to celebrate, to worship in a row, to circle up with your people. Maybe that's your family and another couple families that want to get together. And it's a small group of families of all ages. You all meet together. Maybe it's a men's group and it's just men. And you meet every other Monday morning at a restaurant here in town for coffee and conversation." [01:04:06] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "I also want you to realize that we've made it clear that God's plan is growth. And we've made it clear that God's plan for growth happens best in a small group. And so the question is, are you in a group? And if you're not, how can we help you get in a small group? We've got several that are already going, more that are being added, and we'll do anything we can to help you grow in this way." [01:08:29] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?