Learn from Each Other

Introduction (1m)

Babies learn from watching adults

Those with children/had children - know babies and young children learn from watching adults. If ever catch a child pretend talking on a phone, you know they are learning how things work by observing you. Some parents have a funny story of an inappropriate word their child has used, which they must have picked up from them!

When you show a toddler how to reach for toys, crawl on all fours, how to walk, then to jump, run and throw a ball - learns from watching how you do it.

We even learn to show love and affection by watching adults when we are children. When you hug, sing to, kiss, snuggle and show your feelings to your child, they begin to learn to do the same.

We are designed to connect!

The fact we learn from others is just another sign we are not designed to do life alone. Have a deep need to connect with others. Why? Designed by God to connect.

Explanation (2m)

Our plural God

Genesis 1:26 NLT

Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”

Who is “us”?

Our image. Like us. Not “royal we” or angels, but God himself. Not a typo:

Genesis 1:1 NLT

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

“In the beginning God” - Heb. Bereshith bara Elohim - God/Elohim is plural. In the beginning was the Relationship (Rohr). God plural created:

Genesis 1:2 NLT

The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

John 1:1 NLT

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.

“Us” clearly Trinity, though writer/hearers would not have realised this at time. Needed more divine revelation.

From the beginning of time, God is relational

First 4 words, from very creation, all three Persons involved. Even when only God existed, he was never alone. God himself is a picture of what life is about, community, relationship, joy, love.

God has always existed in a connected community. God is community. Dynamic flow of fellowship.

God designed us in his image to connect

Our desire for relationship/community is rooted in God himself. He designed: family, friendship, church, community, city, nation. All reflect the relational character of God.

God invites us to connect with him

Icon: Trinity - Andrei Rublev, Russian painter, 15th C

Three messengers who visited Abraham/Sarah to announce birth of future child = Trinity.

Scene involves three figures, three sides of the table, opening on fourth side - inviting viewer to connect with them, join their relationship. Draw near, sit at table, join in intimate conversation. To learn from them.

Notice hole at front of table. Art historians found traces of glue. Suggested mirror may have been glued to icon - emphasising we, the viewer, are invited to connect with God.

If not connected with God, now is the time to do it

God designed us in his image to connect with each other

Whole creation account = beautiful picture of collaborative way in which universe operates

Nothing made for itself alone. Everything contributes to whole. Structure and light/light bearers - sun, moon, stars; sky and water/birds and sea creatures, land and plants/animals and humans:

Genesis 2:18 NLT

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.”

Designed to connect!

God says loneliness is not good. Isolation not good. Created families, church, friendship, cities, nations all because not good to be alone.

Created for deep, meaningful relationships with other human beings

Application (2m)

Days gone by met people “Christians” who never went to church because Christian life was just them and Jesus

Didn’t need anyone else. Now just as likely to say no need to go to church because I can worship from home.

Misses the point. God created us to be in community with each other:

Mark 12:29–31 NLT

Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

Loving God, loving each other - not two options. Inextricably linked. Flow out of each other.

Part of the reason it’s important is because we learn from each other

More time we spend with each other, serve with each other, the more we develop deep, meaningful relationships and the more we learn from each other. Cannot grow living and vibrant Christian life by yourself. Connect. Spend quality time with others. Take time to learn about and be involved in each others lives. Pray for each other. Study Bible together. Laugh, cry together. Eat and drink together. Do life together. Learn from each other.