This 4 week study was written to help Christians explore the importance of connections. We were designed to connect—with God, with other believers, with the church and with the world around us. When we neglect these connections, we miss out on so many things. We slow down our own spiritual growth, and beyond that, we miss out on being able to work alongside God as He brings His light to the world.
This week we look at how we connect with other believers.
This week we look at how we connect with other believers.
Connecting with Others
BIG IDEA: The quality of our faith is revealed through our relationships with those God puts in our path.
Key Passage: Romans 12:9-16
Love in Action
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
We can all agree that we do not live life in a vacuum. Life happens in the midst of our relationships. Last week we explored the importance of our relationship with God. This week we will be looking at how the relationships we have with those around us highlight our connection to Him.
God presents us with as many different relationship possibilities—they are as varied as there are people in this world. We may connect in brief moments or in ways that last a lifetime. These relationships may be ones we seek or they may be thrust upon us. They may bring joy or they may bring pain. But whatever the outcome, they are a mirror and a window into the depth of our connection with God.
Name some of the daily relationships that occur in your life.
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
To me, the thought of others looking at the relationships in my life and judging my relationship with God is scary. I’m not sure the view through that particular window is always a pretty sight.
In the big picture, why does it matter how our relationships with others are handled?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
As I began to consider the importance of the relationships in my life, I thought of circles. I have various circles of connections—from those that are close and personal—to those that are fleeting and impersonal. But often they intersect in ways that I didn’t expect.
There are three circles of connections we will look at this week - Close Personal Relationships, Acquaintances, and Momentary Intersections.
I. The Circle of Close Personal Relationships
We spent time during week one on the fact that God needs to be our foundational relationship. So I’m going to move into the next circle, that of our closest friends and family. Many of those closest to us are there because we invited them into this relationship. But there are others who can try to claim that position because of family ties.
How do you decide who to let into your inner circle of connection?
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
I believe the Bible has a foundational basis for these close connections.
Read Proverbs 13:20
Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm
and
I Corinthians 15:33
and
I Corinthians 15:33
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
From these verses what can we imply is important in the relationships of those closest to us?
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
We need to make sure that those closest to us share our common beliefs. There are very few exceptions to this. The Bible does give us insight into how to handle a relationship where we are unequally yoked with an unbeliever, but if we find one of our close relationships falls into this category, it’s even more important that we make the effort to surround ourselves with those who can strengthen and encourage our relationship with God.
The Bible has three examples of the types of close connection that every believer needs. We each need a Paul, a Barnabas, and a Timothy in our lives. Beyond that, we each need to fulfill the roles of Paul, Barnabas, and Timothy in lives of those around us.
A Paul connection is made with someone who is ahead of us on the journey. This would be a person that we can approach for godly counsel. When searching for these connections in my life, I look for those who are already where I want to be.
Read II Timothy 2:2
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
Share the story of someone who has been a Paul in your life.
_______________________________________________
Share the story of someone who has been a Paul in your life.
_______________________________________________
A Barnabas connection is made with someone who is a companion on our journey. This is a person who is generally equal to us and can provide us with the encouragement and companionship we need as we face life together.
Read Acts 4:36
Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”),
Share the story of someone who has been a Barnabas in your life.
________________________________________________
Share the story of someone who has been a Barnabas in your life.
________________________________________________
A Timothy connection is made with those who could be classified as behind us on the journey. They are not less in value, just have less experience. These aren’t relationships that I actively seek out, but they are relationships for which I try to be ready. In the lives of these people, I am effectively fulfilling that Paul connection.
It’s hard for me to consider myself as a Paul in someones life. It seems presumptuous and egotistical to think of myself in that way. But just because it’s difficult doesn’t mean it’s something I get to avoid.
Read II Timothy 1:2-6
To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
Share the story of someone who has been a Timothy in your life.
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
II. The Circle of Acquaintances
The next sphere of connections in our lives is those of acquaintances. These are people that we come into contact with on a regular basis, but aren’t necessarily people we interact with deeply. But make no mistake, just because our connections with these folks don’t run as deep, they are just as important.
These people often include those who believe differently, behave differently, and generally approach life from another direction. And sometimes our influence in the lives of these people are the most profound. One of the things that distinguishes these relationships is the fact that we may never know what our impact has on them.
When we show godly love in the connections around us, we are practicing God’s word and obeying His command to love others.
Read Isaiah 55:11
so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
What happens when God sends out His word (when we obey and follow through on His commands)?
________________________________________________________
Share a time in your life when God used a casual connection to impact your life.
_______________________________________________________
Share a time when someone told you how something you did as a casual connection impacted his/her life.
_______________________________________________________
What happens when God sends out His word (when we obey and follow through on His commands)?
________________________________________________________
Share a time in your life when God used a casual connection to impact your life.
_______________________________________________________
Share a time when someone told you how something you did as a casual connection impacted his/her life.
_______________________________________________________
III. The Circle of Momentary Intersections
There is still one more circle of connections. I think of these as momentary intersections. These could be as casual as someone I pass as I drive, to someone I see in line at a store. We never know where these momentary connections can lead or how they can impact us. And almost always, we won’t know how our actions affect those we encounter. But, by looking at how others impact us in these God moments, we can guess how far-reaching our actions truly are.
Read Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Share a time that someone impacted your life during a momentary intersection.
____________________________________________________________
Sunday's Lesson
Share a time that someone impacted your life during a momentary intersection.
____________________________________________________________
Connecting with Others
Why is it so important that we connect with others?
- Because it is our act of love and because God loved us first.
- The quality of our faith is revealed through our relationships with those God puts in our path. The relationships in my life reflect my relationship with God.
- Because God commanded that we love others - the two greatest commandments given were to Love God and Love Others.
- In Galatians 5:6 it says that if we are followers of Christ, then all that matters is our faith that makes us love others. It shows we love God.
- In John 3:11 we are told that we have heard this from the beginning: to love one another.
- Because it is practice for eternity.
- Because it is a witness to the world.
When we connect with others we love them as God commands.
Love in Action
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
God presents us with as many different relationship possibilities—they are as varied as there are people in this world. We may connect in brief moments or in ways that last a lifetime. These relationships may be ones we seek or they may be thrust upon us. They may bring joy or they may bring pain. But whatever the outcome, they are a mirror and a window into the depth of our connection with God.
Our lesson looks at relationships/connections as CIRCLES.
There are various circles of connections—those that are close and personal—to those that are fleeting and impersonal. But often they intersect in ways that we don’t expect.
What are your circles of relationships like?
Jesus had an inner circle of three: Peter, James, and John
I. The Circle of Close Personal Relationships
We spent time during week one on the fact that God needs to be our foundational relationship. So I’m going to move into the next circle, that of our closest friends and family. Many of those closest to us are there because we invited them into this relationship. But there are others who can try to claim that position because of family ties.
How do you decide who to let into your inner circle of connection?
Bible has a foundational basis for these close connections.
Proverbs 13:20 and I Corinthians 15:33:
Proverbs 13:20 Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
I Corinthians 15:33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
From these verses what can we imply is important in the relationships of those closest to us?
- Wisdom
- Someone who encourages our relationship with God
- Good Character
We need to make sure that those closest to us share our common beliefs. There are very few exceptions to this. The Bible does give us insight into how to handle a relationship where we are unequally yoked with an unbeliever, but if we find one of our close relationships falls into this category, it’s even more important that we make the effort to surround ourselves with those who can strengthen and encourage our relationship with God.
The Bible has three examples of the types of close connection that every believer needs. We each need a Paul, a Barnabas, and a Timothy in our lives. Beyond that, we each need to fulfill the roles of Paul, Barnabas, and Timothy in lives of those around us.
A Paul connection is made with someone who is ahead of us on the journey. This would be a person that we can approach for godly counsel. When searching for these connections in my life, I look for those who are already where I want to be.
II Timothy 2:2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
Someone who has been a Paul in your life. ______________
A Barnabas connection is made with someone who is a companion on our journey. This is a person who is generally equal to us and can provide us with the encouragement and companionship we need as we face life together.
Acts 4:36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”),
Someone who has been a Barnabas in your life. ______________
A Timothy connection is made with those who could be classified as behind us on the journey. They are not less in value, just have less experience. These aren’t relationships that I actively seek out, but they are relationships for which I try to be ready. In the lives of these people, I am effectively fulfilling that Paul connection.
It’s hard for me to consider myself as a Paul in someone else’s life. It seems presumptuous and egotistical to think of myself in that way. But just because it’s difficult doesn’t mean it’s something I get to avoid.
II Timothy 1:2-6
To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
Someone who has been a Timothy in your life. ____________
II. The Circle of Acquaintances
The next sphere of connections in our lives is those of acquaintances. These are people that we come into contact with on a regular basis, but aren’t necessarily people we interact with deeply. But make no mistake; just because our connections with these folks don’t run as deep, they are just as important.
These people often include those who believe differently, behave differently, and generally approach life from another direction. And sometimes our influence in the lives of these people are the most profound. One of the things that distinguishes these relationships is the fact that we may never know what our impact has on them.
When we show godly love in the connections around us, we are practicing God’s word and obeying His command to love others.
Isaiah 55:11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
What happens when we obey and follow through on God’s commands?
Think of a time in your life when God used a casual connection to impact your life.
Think of a time when someone told you how something you did as a casual connection impacted his/her life.
III. The Circle of Momentary Intersections
There is still one more circle of connections. I think of these as momentary intersections. These could be as casual as someone I pass as I drive, to someone I see in line at a store. We never know where these momentary connections can lead or how they can impact us. And almost always, we won’t know how our actions affect those we encounter. But, by looking at how others impact us in these God moments, we can guess how far-reaching our actions truly are.
Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Think of a time that someone impacted your life during a momentary intersection.
Bottom Line:
Connections with others truly are a barometer of our own relations with God—whether we like it or not. We cannot run from the connections He puts in our path, but must remain diligent to show His love and care to every person we encounter.
Today I encourage you to join me as I ask God to show me the connections He has for me, and how I can glorify Him within those relationships. I’ll be looking for ways to bless those I come into contact with on a daily basis.
Hope to see you on Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
