BLESSED 2: What it is

Maybe we get that our “stuff” isn’t what determines God’s blessing in our life. And maybe we even understand that what God is doing in us and through us is more important than any “thing.” But what about the idea that God’s most extravagant blessings can be found in the ordinary, everyday—and maybe even the annoying—people that we find ourselves surrounded by? What if we counted our blessings not by “what” we have but by “who” we have; by those ordinary and extraordinary relationships that God weaves into our lives? We just might find that we are more blessed than we ever imagined!

This week, Mike Couvion used Acts 2:42-47 to describe the importance of relationships. He also used the Cheers theme to reinforce his point. If possible, play the Cheers theme and ask the following as an icebreaker:

Is there a team, club, class or group of people "where everybody knows your name"? What qualities made this group a true community?

Depending on what’s going on in your student’s lives, they may either love or hate this idea that relationships are life’s greatest riches. That is the beauty of small group—there’s no one-size fits all question (or answer) for all of your students. So, take some time before small group to pick and choose the questions that would be best for your group. You may even want to think of an example from your own life to illustrate a time when a particular relationship became your greatest asset.

Bottom Line: Life’s greatest riches are found when we begin to view everything in life as an excuse for relationships.

Scripture References: Philippians 1:3-5, Philippians 1:7; Philippians 4:1

Create meaningful conversation. Adjust questions as needed, and don’t feel like you need to answer all of them.

1. Considering what we just heard about what a blessing it is to have Christ-centered relationships with all people, what were some things that came to your mind as you compared that to your own relationships?

2. Do you think the relationships you have are perfectly good the way they are? If not, what would you want to change? How might you be able to do that?

3. Why do you think we should aim to find depth in our relationships with others?

4. Why do you find this particularly challenging at times? How do you think we can help each other work past these difficulties?

5.     Do you think the way you treat the people around you has an effect on how they feel—not only about you but about themselves? Why or why not?

6. Is there a particular relationship you have now or have had in the past that was incredibly good? What made it so valuable to you?

7. As part of the body of Christ, how do you think we are supposed to approach relationships of any kind, not just the ones we have with other Christians?

8. Think of one individual in your family or your community that you have spent very little time getting to know or become closer with. Go ahead and actually picture them in your mind. Without giving names, how you do think you could approach this relationship differently so that is better reflects what Paul had in mind?

9. Where do you feel like you are doing well in viewing community as your greatest blessing? Where do you feel like you could do better?

10. How has what we discussed tonight reshaped your understanding of blessings?

NEXT STEP: This week, send your students a text asking them to think of one person in their life that they can share last week’s chosen Beatitude with—whether by simply talking about it with that person or actually putting that Beatitude into action. For example, if they choose “Merciful,” encourage them to show kindness or forgiveness to their chosen person.

Announcements: This week's Shift will a movie night showing Ghostbusters! See you there!