Belonging
Who Is PCI? – part 3
Who are we? We are:
Broken: broken hearts (painful), broken ways (sinful), and a broken spirit (good and needed!)
Beloved: In spite of our rebellious ways, we are wondrously loved by God. We live as “loved.”
Belonging: We’ve been bought and brought out of darkness into God’s family! We are wanted!
Building: God is using us to build “disciples,” marriages, families, and people’s lives.
Bridging: God is using what He’s doing in us to make a difference around the world.
DAY 1
1. “Eimi” is the Greek word for “belong.” It’s root is, “I am.”
It’s not just we belong, like belonging to a club: “My name is on the roster. I know a few people there.” The Greek concept is we “belong” in the sense of “that’s who we are!” We “belong” like the strands of cloth that make up your shirt. The strand is the fabric. The strands are the shirt.
* What does this distinction say to you, that you are a member of God’s family, that you belong?
John 17:6 “I (Jesus) have revealed you (God) to those (believers) whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.
2. In John 17, Jesus prays for His disciples then, and His disciples for all time. “Those” and “they” in verse 6 refers to you!
a. In the underlined phrase, what two things did Jesus say about you?
b. To whom does Jesus say you belong?
1 Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
3. Paul says, “You are not your own; you were bought at a price.”
a. What price do you think was paid for you?
b. What security does it give you that you are not your own?
DAY 2
Do you remember the 5 “B”s? See if you can fill in the blanks:
Fill in the blanks: 1. Bro_____; 2. Belo______; 3. Belon_____; 4. Bui______; 5 Brid____.
(See the bottom of today’s notes for the answers .
Romans 12:4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
1. Find our key word for the week in Romans 12:4-5. Underline it. (If you forgot it, look back at the title on Page 1).
2. Paul compares the church to a body. What observations does he make about the human body?
3. Paul then applies these truths about the human body to the church body. What does he teach us?
Romans 12:6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
4. Paul elaborates on how we are different, like the members of a human body are different. In this passage, what different spiritual gifts does he mention?
5. Which one of these gifts could you have?
6. Are there people who come to mind that have some of the gifts, above? Jot down names and gifts…
7. It’s not just that we function together with our gifts. We belong to each other; our gifts are to be used for the good of one another. What strikes you about this?
Key: Broken; Beloved; Belonging; Building; Bridging.
DAY 3
1. B___________ . 2. B____________ . 3. B____________ . 4. B____________ . 5. B______________ .
(If you need help, look at yesterday’s notes, bottom of the page)
John 1:12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God–
1. We make a big deal out of being saved because it is a big deal! In addition, what benefit does John say we also receive?
2. What does it mean to you that you are a part of God’s family?
2 Corinthians 6:18 “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
3. As part of God’s family, what family members does Paul say you have?
* No matter what kind of father you had growing up, God wants to be your Heavenly Father, right here on earth. What strikes you that God Himself is your father?
Romans 8:15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
4. God the Holy Spirit makes us sons of God! It is something we’d never be able to do on our own! The second sentence describes the kind of relationship we can have with God our Father. “Abba” is a term that means, “daddy” or “papa.” It’s the word a toddler would use with his own dad.
a. What meaning does this add to the type of relationship God wants to have with you?
b. How does this expand the kind of relationship you can have with God?
5. Take a few moments and talk to God out loud, with the same kind of freedom you would if you were sitting down with an earthly father who related to you like “Abba, Father.
DAY 4
Galatians 4:4 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5 to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.
1. What two reasons does Paul give for Jesus coming into our world, on the day we call Christmas?
Galatians 4:6 Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.
2. In verse 7, Paul gives a progression of three identities for us: where we started, and what He is doing in us. List the three items.
3. When Paul said we once were a slave, he is talking about a different kind of “slavery” than what we think of.
John 8:34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.”
* What kind of “slave” is Jesus (and Paul) talking about?
* What do you think being a “slave to sin” entails?
4. In Gal. 4:7 the second identity is “son.” When does someone become a “son” of God? (Look back at Gal. 4:6 for clarification).
5. The third identity is “heir.” When you think of an “heir” what things come to mind?
6. What do you think it means to be an “heir” in God’s family?
Romans 8:16 … it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
7. Paul says we are “fellow heirs” with whom?
8. What does that say about how God thinks of you?
DAY 5
1. Belonging to one another in God’s family is not easy! Though we are saved by grace through faith, the sinful nature is mortally wounded, but not yet dead; not til heaven. The following “Heart Attitudes” help summarize how we are to relate and belong to one another at PCI.
For each verse below, underline at least one word that strikes you about “Belonging:”
Put the Success of Others above Your Own
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4
Authentic Life
If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:7-8
Clear Up Relationships
If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in from of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24
Invest Your Time and Talent
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10
Follow Spiritual Leadership
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. Hebrews 13:17
Invest Your Treasure
Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Correction: Give and Receive it
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Galatians 6:1
2. Which heart attitude is your strongest?
3. Which heart attitude needs your attention?
4. What can you do this week to move in a good direction with that particular heart attitude?