MAIN POINT:

When you realize that you are part of something bigger, something more grand, a place where you belong…your ability to grow, to love, to be happy, and to discover who you are really begins.

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ICEBREAKER:

Can you think of a time when attended an event, joined a group, started a new job, went to a new school, or even a family event and felt like you just did not fit in? That can be a very painful experience. Is there a time when you did feel like you fit?

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INTRODUCTION:

The sense of belonging is human need just like the need for food and shelter. A sense of belonging will improve your motivation, your health, and your happiness. As Christians, the sooner we realize we belong to God and are part of God’s family, the sooner we can realize our purpose.

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ENCOUNTERING GOD THROUGH BIBLE STUDY:

Read Psalms 139:15-16.

1. How long as God known who we are?

Read John 4:4-26 and Luke 19:5-10.

2. We know that the woman was at the well at this particular time of the day because she would not run into other people of that community. How did Jesus respond to the woman who did not “fit in,” with the other members of her community?

3. What did she do after she spoke to Jesus?

4. What do the main characters (the woman at the well and Zacchaeus) have in common?

5. From both of these stories, what characteristics do we see about God? What do we know about God’s people?

Read Acts 17:26-28 and Matthew 12:49-50.

6. From these passages, what do we know about God and his desires for us? As children of God, where do we belong?

Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-31.

7. What can we learn about God’s family in this description? How do we react and interact as part of God’s family?

8. We all have a place and play an important role in God’s family. We all belong. Do you feel like you belong? If not, what is it that has kept you from feeling God’s grace and mercy?

9. If you can wrap you mind around the fact that you belong to something as wonderful as God’s family, have you started discovering your purpose?

10. Can you think of someone who needs to belong? In what ways can you demonstrate God’s love and/or grace this week?

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LEADER NOTES:

This series is designed to challenge Faith Promise to consider their relationships during the Christmas season. This Sunday we focused on belonging and how belonging relates to believing. Micah also discussed that the sooner you believe, the sooner you find your purpose. One of the very first steps in maturing as a Christian is to have a sense of belonging. This allows us to lower our defensive nature, to be vulnerable, and grow.

We are not an accident. God had a purpose for each of us before we were born.
It doesn’t matter where we are in life, our failures, our mistakes, or our brokenness. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost- Luke 19:10. God made everyone and wants us to seek him out. We are his children, and those who follow his will are his family members.

When we understand that we belong to God and his family, we begin to realize how that family functions. Our family is not one race or ethnicity. What makes us a unit is the acceptance of Jesus as our Savior. As a family we all have different purposes. Fulfilling those purposes is how we become the body of Christ. We celebrate when there are successes and we hurt when our family members hurt.

Our goal as God’s children is to bring his light to those who have not received the sense of belonging. We want everyone to become part of the body and to fulfill their purpose. The first step is to show them the love of Christ. Every day and in every moment, how can we love our fellow members of Christ and those who have yet to join the family?