Main idea

Most of us are following God with everything we have and still feel stuck. We’ve prayed, we’ve read the Word, we’ve tried to hear His voice. But what if the thing that’s been missing this whole time has nothing to do with trying harder?

Scripture

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

⁹ Two are better than one,
    because they have a good return for their labor:
¹⁰ If either of them falls down,
    one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
    and has no one to help them up.
¹¹ Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
    But how can one keep warm alone?
¹² Though one may be overpowered,
    two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

1 Samuel 23:16

¹⁶ And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.

Genesis 2:18

The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.

Acts 16:1

Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek.

Philippians 2:20

I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare.”

1 Timothy 1:2 To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Discussion Questions

1. Be honest is there anyone in your life right now who knows your Monday self, not just your Sunday self?
2. What’s one thing keeping you from letting someone in? We said “personal faith” and “private faith” are not the same thing.
3. Where have you confused the two in your own life? Who is your Jonathan someone who shows up in your forest and strengthens your hand in God?
4. If you don’t have one, what’s one step you could take this week to find that person? Timothy didn’t wait until he was spiritually ready to join Paul he joined Paul to become ready.
5. What community, group, or relationship have you been putting off until you feel “ready enough”? The resurrection didn’t just defeat death it defeated isolation. How does knowing that Jesus absorbed the ultimate loneliness on the cross change the way you think about community?