Welcome to the first part of This New Life!
Today, we’re going to be talking about the question ‘Where do I belong?‘ Maybe that’s a question you’ve asked yourself in the past. Maybe you’ve experienced the feeling of belonging and being totally at home somewhere, or maybe you’ve never quite felt like you fit in. Whatever your background, you’ll find the Bible has lots to say about belonging.
We’re going to kick off this topic with a video called Welcome Home.
You have a new identity in Jesus. You belong in the Church. And there’s a place for you in God’s plans.
Questions to discuss in your group
In the video, Rich talked about how some people feel a change when they invite Jesus into their lives, while others do not. Either way, we can all be confident that Jesus answers us and shows up!
How would you describe the moment when you asked Jesus into your life?
What’s been your experience of being part of a church? You might never have set foot in a church building, or you might have spent your whole life part of a church community.
‘But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.’ Luke 15:20
What does it really mean to belong in God’s family? Julie’s story is a great example of what it can look like.
Questions to think about
What does ‘belonging’ mean to you?
Rich talked about how we need the Church, and the Church needs us. What gifts can you bring to church life? If you’re not sure, ask someone who knows you well!
What next?
We don’t just want This New Life to be somewhere to talk and think but never have it make a difference to our lives. So each session will have an idea of how you can put this into practice. The main question, really, is always what do you think you need to do in response to this?
Do you need to talk to someone about what it means to belong in God’s family?
Do you need to say yes to an invitation to be part of church life?
Do you need to ask a friend to help you figure out what gifts and talents you bring to the church?
Going deeper
Every week, we’ll have some ideas of extra things you can do to explore this topic deeper. You don’t have to do any of these: they are completely optional!
Read Chapter 15 of Luke’s Gospel. In this chapter, Jesus tells three stories about lost people or things being found. Each one tells us something about the way God pursues us and values us. When you’ve read the chapter, take some time to think about how God values you and wants you to belong in his family.
This New Life 