Foundations for the Future | Belonging

Use this curriculum to help you further engage with the sermon, the scriptures, and each other. Allow the Holy Spirit to bring things up to encourage and guide you so that you are always growing in your faith. If the Spirit leads you away from these questions and into conversation and prayer that encourages and points you to Jesus, go for it.

scripture

Read the following scriptures together: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27.

overview

The gift of God’s Word is that it is living and active (Hebrews 4:12) and when we allow it to, his Word will teach us and remind us of his truths. It seems that it is human nature to compare ourselves to others and count ourselves out, feeling like we don’t belong or fit into the Church body – wondering what our part is in it all. The good news is that we are not created or asked to be all the same; God has given each of us different talents and gifts so that we can all work together to do our part in our own local Church. If you are in Christ, you are in the Church and Paul names the Spirit of God as the indicator of our oneness. 

question 1

Do you feel a sense of belonging in our community, or are you still working on it?

discussion

Read together Ephesians 4:3-6. Humans have preferences and we need to fight the urge to count others out. The differences that exist among believers (i.e., age, ethnicity, personality, clothing style, socioeconomic status, etc.) ought not divide us. Every single person is unique and matters greatly to God – not just the people at the front of the church each week, and we are called to honor others and create unity not division. Unity will advance the Kingdom of God on earth. Division will harm it. People are watching us individually and corporately as a church and we will please God and bring more to Christ when we get it right. 

question 2

Do you have experience where God changed how you looked at other people in the church? How did you get to the place of accepting others who were different than yourself?

As disciples of Jesus, we are called to be active, not passive spectators, within the church community. First Corinthians 12 teaches us that we all have a part to play. We must trust in God's Word and believe what he says about us, taking initiative to get involved and to serve, even if we feel unqualified or reluctant. Contributing—no matter how small the task—brings belonging and joy, and every role is vital to building the Kingdom of God.  

question 3

If you currently serve in your community, share how the experience has formed you. If you don’t currently serve, are there obstacles you want to overcome that will release you to be able to serve? 

weekly application

If you have not found your place in the church, continue in prayer asking the Holy Spirit to lead you – that invitation from someone else or little nudge could be a starting point. If you are serving, thank God for how he created you and placed you in the body to make a difference.