Week 5

Look Back

How did your efforts to memorize Proverbs 3:5-6 turn out? How were you able to apply this personally, or help someone else apply it?

Connect

When is a time when someone or a group of people came alongside you in a challenging season? How did your relationship with that person change afterwards?

Look Up

Read Ecclesiastes 4:7-12

1. What does the author say is a major obstacle to building strong relationships in verses 7-8? What does the author say that the man was “devoted” to? How true is this today and what can be done to overcome this?
2. What are some of the other obstacles that separate people from one another today? What can you do to help make sure that people are not left “alone”?
3. How have the illustrations in verses 9-12 played out in your life? How has this helped you through a difficult time or impacted your desire to build relationships with other Christians?

Read Acts 2:42-47

1. What does it mean to be “devoted to the apostles teachings”? What things have to change, if any, for someone to do this?
2. Have you ever experienced “community” like what is described in these verses? If so, what things contributed to your building strong ties and relationships?
3. Which aspect of early Christian community described in these verses is the most challenging for people today? How can this be made less challenging?
4. How are the Salty values reflected in these verses? How are the values interconnected and what impact does this have on community?

Overall (Discovery Bible Study)

• What do these scriptures say about God?
• What do they say about people?
• How will I apply this to my life?

Look Ahead

You get out what you put in. Being in a community isn't always easy and takes effort. As we see in Acts 2, the disciples were devoted. Are you all in for group in this season? Is this the season you begin your journey to becoming a leader? Seek the Lord and see where He may lead you in this next season.

Notes

There really is no substitute for biblical community. We are created for community, we thrive better in community, and serve others in a way that much further than we can do on our own. This is a great week to review where you’ve been as a group, look at all God has done, and look ahead to where you are going. Leadership tip As you enter into this next season of ministry, take time to really focus on growing the relationships. Get out and have fun, go to dinner, go serve together. Just focus on everyone connecting more and deeper.