Connecting through Christ of Calvary!
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Connecting Believers – The Heart of the Local Church
Text: Hebrews 10:24-25
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Introduction
Introduction
Greet the congregation warmly and express excitement about God’s work in the church.
Share a brief personal story or observation about the power of meaningful relationships in your own life (e.g., a mentor, a friend, or a small group experience).
Pose a question: What makes a church more than just a building or a Sunday service?
Answer: God designed the local church to be a family—a place where believers connect personally, grow together, and live out their faith in community.
Thesis: The New Testament overwhelmingly shows that local churches are designed for connecting believers, and today, we’re launching CBC Small Groups to foster these vital relationships rooted in God’s Word.
FACT: The local church is very dear to the heart of Christ! He established it - Matthew 16:18
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
He loves it dearly.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
So why the local church? The most obvious reason is the propagation of the Gospel.
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
However, there is an additional purpose and one that is just as much a Biblical mandate as proclaiming the Gospel to the world. It is...
The Biblical Mandate for Connection
The Biblical Mandate for Connection
God’s design for the church goes beyond worship, growth, and service—it includes deep, personal connections among believers.
The New Testament uses “one another” commands over 50 times (outside the Gospels and Acts) to describe how believers should relate. These verses reveal God’s heart for community.
Key examples:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
We are interconnected, like parts of a body, each needing the others.
8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
Love binds us together, even through imperfections.
Hebrews 10:24–25 “24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” – We are called to “consider one another” and “exhort one another,” which requires intentional relationships.
Application: You can’t obey these commands in isolation. Worshipping and serving the Lord is vital, but so is connecting with other believers.
The Purpose of Connection in the Church
The Purpose of Connection in the Church
Why does God emphasize “one another” relationships? These connections fulfill specific purposes in our spiritual lives.
Love and Support:
Love and Support:
9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Relationships allow us to share joys, sorrows, and burdens, reflecting Christ’s love.
Encouragement and Growth:
Encouragement and Growth:
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
We grow spiritually when others challenge, encourage, and teach us.
Accountability and Unity:
Accountability and Unity:
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Close relationships help us stay accountable and maintain unity despite differences.
Illustration: Compare the church to a family dinner table—everyone has a seat, and the conversation strengthens bonds. Without connection, we’re just eating alone.
The Danger of Disconnection
The Danger of Disconnection
The New Testament warns against neglecting relationships or harming community.
15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
Disunity and isolation destroy the body.
11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
Gossip and judgment thrive when relationships are shallow.
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Drifting from community risks spiritual stagnation.
Real-world example: Share a story (anonymized or general) of someone who felt disconnected in a church and the impact it had, contrasted with the transformation of finding community.
Application: In a busy, digital world, it’s easy to attend church but stay disconnected. God calls us to go deeper.
CBC Small Groups: A Step Toward Connection
CBC Small Groups: A Step Toward Connection
Announce the launch of CBC Small Groups with enthusiasm!
Explain the vision:
Small groups are intentional gatherings where members study God’s Word, pray together, share life, and build lasting Christian relationships.
They’re designed to help you live out the “one another” commands—loving, encouraging, serving, and growing together.
Biblical basis:
10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Small groups let us use our gifts to bless others.
14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
Groups foster mutual teaching and growth.
Practical details:
Groups meet [insert frequency, e.g., weekly/biweekly] in homes, church, or online.
Each group focuses on Bible study, prayer, and fellowship.
Sign-ups begin today [insert location, e.g., foyer, website].
Testimonies: If possible, share a brief testimony from someone who’s experienced the blessing of a small group (or plan to highlight this in future services).
The Call to Connect
The Call to Connect
Challenge: Will you take a step to connect? Joining a small group is a practical way to obey God’s call to love, serve, and encourage one another.
Promise: As you invest in relationships, you’ll experience God’s grace through community and grow closer to Him.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
God’s love for us fuels our love for each other.
Invitation:
Invite the congregation to pray about joining a small group.
Encourage those hesitant to try one meeting—God often works through small steps of faith.
Close with a prayer for unity, courage, and the success of CBC Small Groups.
Conclusion
Recap: The local church is God’s design for connecting believers, as seen in the “one another” commands. CBC Small Groups will help us live this out.
End with a vision: Imagine a church where every member is known, loved, and growing together—a true family reflecting Christ’s love to the world.
3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;
Pastoral Prayer
Thank God for His design for the church as a family.
Ask for wisdom in launching CBC Small Groups.
Pray for members to step out in faith to connect and for relationships to flourish.
Lift up those feeling disconnected, that they’d find community.
Close in Jesus’ name, Amen.
