Jan. 15, 2023

Belong Again

Primary Text:  Proverbs 18:1 

Previous Teaching: Things to Forget

1)  Your Past Sin 

2)  Your Past Failures 

3)  Your Past Bitterness         

4)  Your Past Successes 

5)  Your Past Lies             

6)  Your Past Dreams 

7)  Your Past Control 

Galatians 2:20:  I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  

DQ 1) Do you daily surrender your life to the will of God?

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This Week’s Teaching

1)  Meant for Relationships 

Matthew 22:35-40:  One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"  Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." 

DQ 1) How would you describe your relationship with Jesus?  Is it healthy and vibrant, stagnant, damaged, or non-existent?

 DQ 2) Are your relationships with other people generally healthy?  Are there any relationships that need healing and restoration?

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2)  Dangers of Isolation 

Genesis 2:18:  The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone.  I will make a helper suitable for him." 

Proverbs 18:1 (NASB):  He who separates himself seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom. 

DQ 3) What is the difference between being alone and being isolated?

DQ 4) What are the spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical dangers of isolation? 

DQ 5) Has COVID caused greater isolation in your life?

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3)  Benefits of Relationships 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12:  Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up.  But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!...  Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. 

DQ 6) What are the spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical benefits of relationships?  

DQ 7) Relationships can be challenging, even draining, but why does God encourage us to remain engaged with people even in difficult relationships?

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