Small Group Resources

October 26 - November 1

Sermon Series: Core Longings

Week 6: Belonging

Ice Breaker, If Needed

Did you or someone close to you have a special toy or security blanket as a child? What
was its name? Why was it so loved?

Discussion Questions

1. What does it mean to belong? How does longing to belong relate to other core longings (significance, security, understanding, love, purpose) in this series? What are the differences between these longings? What is similar? Why has God created us with these longings? Read John 10:10. When core longings are rooted and nurtured by His daily presence in your life, what is the outcome? What happens when we look for belonging in wrong places?

2. You belong because of what Jesus has done.
● Read Romans 5:8 and Romans 8:38-39
● Contrast the security you have in a worldly family/group with the security you have as a member of God’s family.
● What do you do when you struggle to believe you belong in God’s family?
● What is the danger of isolation? Why is isolation a tool of the enemy?

3. You belong because you are valuable.
● Read Ephesians 2:1-5
● How does recognizing our need for a savior, repenting, and accepting His invitation to join His family forever solve our core longing to belong?
● How do you know you are valuable? Do you live your life as though you are valuable?

4. You belong to do good works.
● Read 1 Corinthians 12:15-26
● How do you know if you belong to the body of Christ? What joins you to the body? What keeps you there?
● How does belonging lead to a sense of Kingdom-furthering purpose?
● How is God working through you?

5. You belong because God’s love makes you worthy.
● Read Isaiah 43:1
● How does God see you? What does He know about you? What can you do with any doubt you cling to about belonging to His family?