Woven Together: The Tapestry of Belonging

Part 2: BELONG to the community, to the family of God

Introduction:

Perhaps one of the greatest needs we feel as humans is the desire to belong to a community. From a young age we want to belong to our family and feel like we belong with our friends. As we get older and develop more of a sense of self we want to have friends around us that we feel like we belong to. As you become a teenager and find yourself different from your parents part of that process is finding a place where you belong. And then as you grow older as you become an adult as you live and get betrayed by others or go through hard things want you want to find a place to belong.

In today's extraordinarily connected generation we suffer from a lack of belonging. We suffer from loneliness. There's nothing that entertainers online can do that will fill the void of loneliness in your life. No matter how many likes and follows and interactions you get on Facebook it won't fill the need you have for community.

Every single person who has come to the church looking for money or struggling down on their luck suffers from a breakdown in community.

The greatest vices and addictions we have it has been proven can be counteracted with strong community.

The people we spend time with builders up or tear us down. They can give us strength or they can weaken us. Community is extraordinarily powerful.

Think about it when you watch a documentary about another country. I recently watched a documentary called our man in Japan where the TV presenter James May travels through India it's not Japan it's India and so many people across the continent live in extremely different ways than I'm used to they believe different things they look different and most of who they are is defined or the community they are surrounded by.

But do you know what is extraordinarily good about the church as a community? Our shared faith in Jesus Christ means that you and I have ready access to community. I was at Starbucks yesterday running errands for Ashley and I saw a guy studying his Bible and I walked over to him and simply asked him what he was reading and what he was studying. I didn't know him from Adam but I knew we were both likely Christians.

In the early church they were carrying on and starting something that had never been done before. Jesus was gone and they needed to figure out how to face a time that was more different than any of them had ever experienced. A new message a new way of living a new reality they needed community.

So today we're going to take a look at what the early church looked like what their lives were defined by and what their community was like that allowed them to change a world that didn't want change. Much like our world today.

Share a compelling narrative or a personal story about someone finding their place in a community. Discuss the innate human desire to belong and how the church fulfills that need.

Exposition:

1. A Divine Design for Community:

Acts 2:42-47 - Dive into the early church's practices: teaching, fellowship, communion, and prayer.

Acts 2:42–47 ESV

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Do you see?

They invested in heavily in spending time together.

They invested heavily in reminding themselves what Jesus taught.

They ate together often.

They shared generously with each other.

This is community

This is why we do small groups a more than just sitting in church on Sunday.

This is why we make groupme available to everyone to connect with and encourage each other.

This is why we have regular potlucks and more!

Ephesians 2:19-22 - Explore how believers are no longer strangers but are members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

Ephesians 2:19–22 ESV

19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

2. Characteristics of a Christian Community:

Romans 12:4-5 - Compare the church to a body with many members that belong to each other, emphasizing interdependence.

Romans 12:4–5 ESV

4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

1 Peter 2:9-10 - Discuss the identity of the church as a chosen people and a royal priesthood, meant to declare God’s praises.

1 Peter 2:9–10 ESV

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

3. The Role of Love in Belonging:

The one thing he asked us to do!

John 13:34-35 - Jesus' new commandment to love one another as a defining trait of His followers.

John 13:34–35 ESV

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

1 John 4:7-12 - The manifestation of God's love among us and the call to love each other.

1 John 4:7–12 ESV

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

Application:

Offer reflection questions for self-examination regarding one's sense of belonging in the church.

Personal Connection:

"When I walk into my church, do I feel like I'm coming home?"

"Do I know the names of my fellow church members, and do they know mine?"

Participation:

"How am I currently contributing to the life of the church?"

"Are there gifts or talents I have that I haven't yet shared with my church family?"

Fellowship:

"When was the last time I shared a meal or a meaningful conversation with someone from church outside of regular services?"

"Do I participate in small groups or church activities where I can form deeper relationships?"

Support:

"In times of need, do I turn to my church community for support, and do I offer support to others?"

"Can I identify individuals in my church who have been through similar experiences as me, and how can we support each other?"

Growth:

"How has being part of this church community helped me grow spiritually?"

"What steps can I take to deepen my sense of belonging and grow in faith alongside my church family?"

Inclusivity:

"Do I actively work to make others feel welcome in our church, especially new members or visitors?"

"Are there people in the church who might feel excluded or marginalized that I can reach out to?"

Mission:

"How well do I understand the mission and vision of our church, and how am I contributing to it?"

"Do I invite others to join our church community, and do I share the love of Christ with those outside the church?"

Conclusion:

Summarize the transformative power of a community living in harmony and love.

Reiterate that belonging to the church community means being an active part of the body of Christ, contributing to its growth and unity.

Close with a call to commit to deepening the sense of community within the church.

Benediction:

A scripture blessing that emphasizes unity and mutual support, such as 1 Thessalonians 5:11 or Hebrews 10:24-25 .

Hebrews 10:24–25 ESV

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 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.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV

11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.