Often you will hear people from church talking about having a relationship with God. But what does it mean to have a relationship with God? What does it look like? How can we possibly relate to something that has no form, but is spirit? What about Jesus? For a lot of us, it can be a hard thing to understand, even if we claim to have a relationship with God. But for any relationship to be successful, one must be in tune with another. As always, the life of Jesus shows us much about what it means to have a relationship with God. He said that he came to give us life to the fullest (John 10:10). Some people think that a full life means an abundance of material things, but perhaps Jesus meant that fullness of life comes when we are in tune, or in relationship with God. Join us this Sunday afternoon at 16:00 (remember this is our new time) as we unfold these things in greater detail. It might just have an impact on the way you live life! This would be a great discussion to bring a friend. It’s always our desire to create a comfortable environment where these things can be discussed and it come in a way that fits our world today.
Discussion Questions:
- What do you believe about God’s involvement in our daily lives? Is God among us, or is he elsewhere?
- What images do you have of God? What or who has helped shape the images you have?
- What does it mean to be in relationship with God? Does it require that we must be in tune with him? Can we believe in God and be out of tune with him?
- Do you believe that if you live the life that Jesus taught us how to live – a life of truth, love, justice, compassion, forgiveness, and sacrifice - that you will have life to the fullest? Is this living in relationship with God?
For Personal Reflection During Your Week:
- Are you in tune, or in a relationship with God? It’s good to read large chunks of scripture at times to get a better picture of what is happening. But we must be intentional and take the time to do so. Challenge yourself this week to read the entire Gospel of John in the Bible. Reflect on how Jesus lived and consider the following:
- How can I live a more truthful life? Am I honest in my relationships with my spouse, friends, co-workers, students, etc.?
- How can I love others around me? Am I judgmental? Do I build people up or tear them down with my words and actions?
- How can I be compassionate to those around me that are hurting? Do I care enough about other people’s problems to do what I can to help them?
- What is unfair or unjust that is causing unnecessary suffering around me? What can I do about it to make this neighborhood, town, country, or world a better place to live in?
- Am I a forgiving person? Do I hold on to grudges that affect the various relationships in my life? Do I hold people’s wrongs against them?
- What can I sacrifice for the good of people around me and this world? Do I need to give my time and/or resources to make this world more like God intends it to be?
Imagine the kind of world we would live in if we all took the time to take a personal inventory of the way that Jesus taught us how to live. Not only would we personally be more in tune with God, but the world would be too. All these things you reflected on sound like the kind of world that many people seek to live in, but they simply don’t understand how, why, or for what purpose. Don’t think for a second that you don’t have the ability to make a difference in the world. When you live in tune with God, you are making a difference because good things will begin to happen in us and around us. Could this be what fullness of life is all about?
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