Restoring Community Through Christ: Evaluating Our Relationships
Summary
### Summary
In the second week of our series "Find Your People," we delved into the concept of community and its restoration through Christ. We began by emphasizing the importance of engaging with the next generation, particularly college students, as part of our Jesus family. This series is inspired by Jenny Allen's book, which many of our D group leaders have read and shared insights from.
We explored the disruption of community that has existed since the beginning of time and how Christ's sacrifice has restored it. Colossians 1 was our focal scripture, highlighting that Christ is supreme over all creation and holds everything together. Through His blood on the cross, He reconciled everything to Himself, restoring our community with God and with each other.
We discussed the practical aspects of community, breaking it down into different levels of relationships: 150 general relationships, 50 acquaintances, 15 close friends (our village), and 2-5 intimate friends. The importance of evaluating our village and our close relationships was stressed, as these relationships reveal what we truly value and help us pursue our purpose.
Our purpose, as defined by the Westminster Catechism, is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. This purpose should be the driving force behind our relationships. We were reminded that deep, meaningful relationships are centered on a shared purpose outside of ourselves, which is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
We concluded by challenging everyone to evaluate their current relationships and community. Are they helping you pursue your purpose, or do you need to find new people who will? The call to action was clear: if your current community is not aligned with your purpose, it may be time to make a change. We also invited those who have not yet committed to Christ to take that step and consider baptism as a public declaration of their new purpose and identity in Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. Christ Restores Community: Christ's sacrifice on the cross has restored our broken community with God and with each other. Colossians 1 emphasizes that Christ is supreme over all creation and holds everything together. Through His blood, He reconciled everything to Himself, making peace and restoring community. [35:35]
2. Levels of Relationships: We have different levels of relationships, from 150 general connections to 2-5 intimate friends. Evaluating these relationships is crucial as they reveal what we truly value and help us pursue our purpose. Our closest relationships should be with those who help us glorify God and enjoy Him forever. [42:48]
3. Purpose of Community: Our ultimate purpose is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. This purpose should be the foundation of our relationships. Deep, meaningful relationships are centered on a shared purpose outside of ourselves, which is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. [46:52]
4. Evaluating Your Village: It's essential to evaluate your village and your 2-5 intimate friends. Are these relationships helping you pursue your purpose, or are they distracting you from it? If your current community is not aligned with your purpose, it may be time to make a change. [48:59]
5. Call to Action: If you realize that your current community is not helping you pursue your purpose, take action. This might mean finding new people who will support you in glorifying God and enjoying Him forever. For those who have not yet committed to Christ, consider taking that step and declaring your new purpose through baptism. [57:47]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[32:00] - Introduction and Book Giveaway
[34:04] - Football Season and Community
[35:35] - Restoration of Community
[36:46] - Prayer and Colossians 1
[38:09] - Christ's Supremacy and Creation
[39:40] - The Gospel and Community
[41:07] - Romans 12 and Community Restored
[42:11] - Relationship Capacity
[42:48] - Evaluating Your Village
[45:16] - Importance of Your Village
[46:52] - Purpose of Community
[48:59] - Evaluating Your Relationships
[50:35] - Personal Testimony and Village
[54:28] - Jesus' Call to Follow
[56:32] - Biblical Community Anywhere
[57:47] - Call to Action and Baptism
[01:00:29] - Building Blocks of Community
[01:01:00] - Knowing Your Purpose
[01:02:10] - Baptism and New Purpose
[01:03:05] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Colossians 1:15-20
- Romans 12:3-5
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Colossians 1:15-20, what roles and attributes are ascribed to Christ? How do these verses describe His relationship with creation?
2. In Romans 12:3-5, what analogy does Paul use to describe the church? How does this analogy help us understand our roles within the community?
3. The sermon mentioned different levels of relationships we can have. Can you list and describe these levels? ([42:48])
4. What is the ultimate purpose of our relationships according to the Westminster Catechism as discussed in the sermon? ([46:52])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding Christ's supremacy and His role in creation (Colossians 1:15-20) influence our view of community and relationships?
2. Romans 12:3-5 talks about the body of Christ having many parts with different functions. How does this concept apply to the idea of having a "village" or close-knit community? ([41:07])
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of evaluating our village and intimate friends. Why is it crucial to assess whether these relationships help us pursue our purpose? ([48:59])
4. The sermon mentioned that deep, meaningful relationships are centered on a shared purpose outside of ourselves. How does this align with the biblical concept of community? ([53:21])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current relationships. Are they helping you pursue your purpose of glorifying God and enjoying Him forever? If not, what changes might you need to make? ([48:59])
2. Think about your "village" and your 2-5 intimate friends. How do these relationships reflect what you truly value? Are there any adjustments you need to make to align these relationships with your purpose? ([45:48])
3. The sermon challenged us to consider if our purpose has changed because of our people. Have you experienced a shift in your purpose due to your community? How can you realign your relationships to support your God-given purpose? ([57:06])
4. The sermon mentioned that deep relationships are centered on a shared purpose outside of ourselves. How can you foster such relationships within your small group or church community? ([53:21])
5. For those who have not yet committed to Christ, the sermon invited them to consider baptism as a public declaration of their new purpose and identity in Christ. If you haven't taken this step, what is holding you back? How can you take a step towards this commitment? ([01:02:10])
6. Evaluate your involvement in your church community. Are you actively participating in ways that help you and others pursue the purpose of glorifying God and enjoying Him forever? What specific actions can you take to deepen your engagement? ([56:32])
7. The sermon mentioned the importance of moving beyond shallow small talk to build intimate biblical community. What practical steps can you take to engage in deeper, more meaningful conversations with your friends and fellow believers? ([55:40])
Devotional
Day 1: Christ Restores Community
Christ's sacrifice on the cross has restored our broken community with God and with each other. Colossians 1 emphasizes that Christ is supreme over all creation and holds everything together. Through His blood, He reconciled everything to Himself, making peace and restoring community. This restoration is not just a spiritual concept but a practical reality that affects our daily lives and relationships.
When we understand that Christ has reconciled us to God, it changes how we interact with others. We are no longer isolated individuals but part of a larger, restored community. This means that our relationships should reflect the peace and reconciliation that Christ has brought into our lives. We are called to be peacemakers and to actively work towards restoring broken relationships in our own lives and communities. [35:35]
Colossians 1:19-20 (ESV): "For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross."
Reflection: Think of a relationship in your life that needs reconciliation. How can you take a step towards restoring that relationship today, reflecting the peace that Christ has brought into your life?
Day 2: Levels of Relationships
We have different levels of relationships, from 150 general connections to 2-5 intimate friends. Evaluating these relationships is crucial as they reveal what we truly value and help us pursue our purpose. Our closest relationships should be with those who help us glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
Understanding the different levels of relationships helps us prioritize our time and energy. Not every relationship will be equally deep or significant, and that's okay. What matters is that our closest relationships, our "village," are with people who support and encourage us in our walk with God. These are the people who will help us stay focused on our purpose and hold us accountable. [42:48]
Proverbs 27:17 (ESV): "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."
Reflection: Who are the 2-5 people in your life that you consider your closest friends? Are these relationships helping you pursue your purpose of glorifying God and enjoying Him forever? If not, what changes can you make?
Day 3: Purpose of Community
Our ultimate purpose is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. This purpose should be the foundation of our relationships. Deep, meaningful relationships are centered on a shared purpose outside of ourselves, which is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
When our relationships are built on this shared purpose, they become more than just social connections; they become spiritual partnerships. These relationships help us grow in our faith and keep us accountable to our purpose. They remind us that our lives are not just about us but about glorifying God in everything we do. [46:52]
1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV): "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
Reflection: Reflect on your current relationships. Are they centered on the shared purpose of glorifying God and enjoying Him forever? How can you deepen these relationships to make them more spiritually meaningful?
Day 4: Evaluating Your Village
It's essential to evaluate your village and your 2-5 intimate friends. Are these relationships helping you pursue your purpose, or are they distracting you from it? If your current community is not aligned with your purpose, it may be time to make a change.
Evaluating your relationships is not about judging others but about being intentional with your time and energy. It's about surrounding yourself with people who will help you grow in your faith and support you in your purpose. This might mean making difficult decisions about who you spend your time with, but it's crucial for your spiritual growth. [48:59]
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: Take a moment to evaluate your closest relationships. Are they helping you pursue your purpose of glorifying God and enjoying Him forever? If not, what changes do you need to make?
Day 5: Call to Action
If you realize that your current community is not helping you pursue your purpose, take action. This might mean finding new people who will support you in glorifying God and enjoying Him forever. For those who have not yet committed to Christ, consider taking that step and declaring your new purpose through baptism.
Taking action might be challenging, but it's necessary for your spiritual growth. Surrounding yourself with a community that supports your purpose will help you stay focused and grow in your faith. If you haven't committed to Christ yet, now is the time to take that step and publicly declare your new purpose and identity in Him. [57:47]
Acts 2:38 (ESV): "And Peter said to them, 'Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'"
Reflection: Is your current community helping you pursue your purpose of glorifying God and enjoying Him forever? If not, what steps can you take today to find a community that will support you in this purpose? If you haven't committed to Christ yet, what is holding you back from taking that step?
Quotes
1. "Today, the good news is we're going to talk about the restoration of community and how we can kind of be a little bit of the kingdom of heaven here on this earth, this side of eternity, as we restore community the way that Christ intended it to be. But we are created for community. Turn to your neighbor. Tell them we're created for community. And it was undone. It was undone. And we've been struggling. We've been struggling internally ever since." [35:35] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Christ is also the head of the church. Who's the church? Help me out. We are. We are. It's not this building. It's not this place. This is just a building that the church gathers in to come together and minister together, to be challenged together, to walk out life together, to be in community together. And it says that Christ is the head of the church, which is his body." [38:09] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Community was broken both between us and the Father and with each other. It wasn't an accident. It wasn't an oh oops I didn't see that coming, that's not who our God is. Christ is supreme over all creation. He holds all of creation together. And Christ in his goodness saw fit to come and live this life that we were not able to live in perfect community with God the Father and in perfect community with imperfect people." [39:40] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Your village is who helps you to pursue your purpose. Now, our purpose, the Westminster Catechism says is what? The chief end of man. Does any of y'all know this? As to what? To glorify God. And we always skip this second part. And I think this is the beauty of community with the Father, to glorify God and what? And enjoy him forever. That's our purpose y'all, to glorify God and enjoy him forever." [46:52] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Deep connecting intimate relationships are centered on shared purpose outside of yourself and when yourself is the center of your relationships that might be why you feel so lonely even though you're surrounded by people and surrounded by busyness. So again I would ask us what's our shared purpose church to glorify God and enjoy him forever so we've got two options to avoid this loneliness pandemic we can either change our purpose or we can change our people." [53:21] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "In order to build intimate biblical community, we have to move beyond shallow small talk and we have to engage in conversations and actions that align with the beauty of the gospel. Jesus shows us that true intimacy is found when we connect with other friends, other followers of Christ on a deeper level, going beyond the surface, united in common purpose glorify God, enjoy him forever." [55:40] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "If you're a follower of Jesus, then you have a built-in mission, no matter your job, your neighborhood, your hobby, your club, your school, to share the love of God. And you have a village, a team to pursue that mission with. And she says that village, that team is the local church." [56:32] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Has your purpose changed because of your people, because of your village, because of your two to five? Christian, I'm talking to you. Has your purpose changed because of your people? Or is your purpose being elevated and lifted up to glorify God and enjoy him forever? Is it growing deeper and richer and more intimate because of your people, because of your village, because of your two to five?" [57:47] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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