Faith (Re)Formation Four Children at the Lord’s Supper Building Blocks 1. I Belong 2. I Know 3. I Hope 4. I am Called and Equipped

Belonging We were made for this 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.”

Belonging Broken Relationships Genesis 4:8 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. 9 Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

Belonging Do I belong? younger, older, newer different gender, income bracket, race, education, or denomination limitations or characteristics that stick out don’t feel welcome

Belonging Being known by God Psalm 139:1 You have searched me, LORD,     and you know me. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Belonging Putting the plan in play John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Belonging The closest relationship John 1:12  Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— Romans 8:14  For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God… 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

Belonging Deep dependence Mutual dependence John 15:4  Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. Mutual dependence 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

Belonging Beyond Belonging 2 Corinthians 5:14  For Christ’s love compels us, 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:

Belonging Breaking Barriers Building the Building Ephesians 2:14   For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier,…16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, Building the Building 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Belonging Surrender What is your only comfort in life and in death? That I am not my own but belong, body and soul, in life and in death, to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood…

Discussion of the Week Share about a time when you really felt you belonged. What contributed to that feeling?