“But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7 (p.941)
Greek – Koinonia: sharing in common, with an outcome of contribution, a partaker or partner.
- We Really Do Need Each Other.
- Identify my need.
“Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.’” Genesis 2:18 (p.4)
“We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.” Romans 12:5b (p.866)
- Implement God’s plan.
“‘At last!’ the man exclaimed. ‘This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’” Genesis 2:23 (p.4)
“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25 (p.926)
- Invite others into the process.
“This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one” Genesis 2:24 (p.4)
“The eye can never say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you.’ The head can’t say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you.’” 1 Corinthians 12:21 (p.877)
Series Memory Verse: “Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:37-39 (p.753)
My Next Step This Week: ______ Recognizing that I am made in the image of God, I choose to live in fellowship with God and others. The application that I need to focus on this week is # __________. (1. Identify my need. 2. Implement God’s plan. 3. Invite others in the process.)
Discussion/Groups Guide: Belong – Part 1 “Made In His Image”
Life Groups use this guide in their discussion and study of the Weekend Talk. Use this also as a discussion guide with your family and friends.
Conversation Starters
- When you think of sports or school or work teams you have been on, which of them stand out? What made them memorable?
- What do you do when you feel lonely?
- When you know someone is lonely, what do you do?
- When have you felt lonely? When have you felt all alone? Is there a difference?
Quick Review
Looking back at your Weekend Talk Notes, was there anything you heard in the service that stood out to you, challenged you, or maybe even confused you?
Discussion Starters from the Weekend Talk
Refer to the Talk Notes and Bible verses from the Talk Notes.
Our One Thing: We Really Do Need Each Other.
- How have you seen this statement lived out?
- Do you agree with it?
- See 1 John 1:7 (p.941).
- What does it mean to live in the light?
- What benefits does John list for those who live in the light?
Series Memory Verse: Matthew 22:37-40 (p.753)
- Read through the Memory Verse together as a Group. Pray for each other as you memorize it throughout the series.
- Does it seem possible to be able to live out only one part of this two-part command?
One Voice Bible Story Background: Genesis 2:18-25 (p.4), God gives Eve to Adam
- What stands out to you about this passage in Genesis?
- Fellowship is the key point we’re making this week. How does ‘fellowship’ differ from just gathering among like-minded people?
Application: The problem we’re dealing with today is loneliness, disconnectedness, and self-centeredness. Dealing with our loneliness and our need for fellowship is simple, but not necessarily easy. The first step is:
- Identify my need. Genesis 2:18 (p.4); Romans 12:5b (p.866)
- Do you value fellowship? Do you need fellowship?
- What has happened in your life to make you more or less of an advocate for fellowship?
- In Romans 12:5b, what does it mean to “belong to each other?”
- How can you reach out to a lonely person? What if they don’t want you to reach out?
- Implement God’s plan. Genesis 2:3 (p.4); Hebrews 10:25 (p.926)
- How useful is a plan that is never implemented?
- How does Hebrews 10:25 relate to God’s Plan?
- When do you find it easy to live this out and most difficult to live it out?
- When have you experienced the Church truly operating as a family? How can you or your Group more intentionally live this out?
- Invite others into the process. Genesis 2:24 (p.4); 1 Corinthians 12:21 (p.877); Matthew 22:37-40 (p.753)
- Have you ever considered this Genesis account as having relevance for us as the Church to reach out and not keep God to ourselves?
- How can you do your part to help the whole body – The Church – live in a healthy way?
Digging Deeper
The Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible defines “fellowship” as, “The essence of the Christian life—fellowship with God and fellowship with other believers in Christ.”
We talked about the beginning of God’s demonstration of providing fellowship for mankind when He gave Eve to Adam. Today we extrapolated that initial desire for fellowship into how we are all related to one another in the Church, as well as how we can invite others into that fellowship.
Read through the passages listed below. Choose one or more of them to pray through. To do that, simply read the passage back to God and offer a brief prayer related to what comes to your mind based on that phrase or verse. Then move on to the next verse. If you don’t think of anything at a particular verse, just move on to the next one. Be sure you thank God for providing His Word to you so that you get, in a sense, His side of the conversation you are having with Him in prayer.
Genesis 5:22-24; Genesis 6:9; James 2:23; Psalm 16; Psalm 40; John 14:23; Matthew 28:20; Mark 14:22-25; 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10.
My Next Step This Week
____ Recognizing that I am made in the image of God, I choose to live in fellowship with God and others. The application that I need to focus on this week is # __________.(1: Identify my need. 2: Implement God’s plan. 3: Invite others in the process.)