-- A Sense of Belonging --
Objectives:
Premise: We are insecure when we lack a sense of belonging. This affects our sense of self worth and limits us from being all God wants us to be So the objectives are;
Scripture Basis:
Ephesians 1:3-11, Phil 3:20
Additional Reference: "In His Image" pg 185-186. by Brand & Yancey.
The Backdoor:
Ask the following questions Record the feedback from the group - encourage each person to share
The Activity:
Take the "Fear of Rejection Test" (attached Appendix A) .. After most are complete ask the following questions , discuss and then show the following scoring key -
Most of us fear rejection in some manner or to some extent. So lets look to Gods word to help us identify what we can do about it. First lets look at some things that damage our sense of belonging and increase our fear of being rejected.
Students Teach Students:
Pass out the following scripture references and ask students to look them up and report out on what item they find which either damages our sense of belonging or improves it.
Things that damage our sense of belonging
| Item | .. the point | Scripture |
| Recognize that the World is teaching us everyday its model of acceptance | The world says that you
can only belong if you perform up to a certain standard
.. that is if you measure up. The world also says that
you have to protect yourself from others. You are the
only one who will lookout for you. Following the worlds model will lead to fruitlessness |
John 16:33 Matt 13:22 |
| Recognize that our parents gave us our first sense of belonging | Our parents give us our
first sense of belonging and acceptance as well as our
image of God.. However our parents are not perfect like
God.. Rejection by parents can lead to rejection of God
and a worldly search for significance Honor and obey your parents but learn to find your real identify in Christ. Seek Him and his will personally. |
|
| Recognize that our sinful nature interferes with our ability to accept and be accepted by others | Anger, strife, selfishness, blame and all the aspect s of our sinful nature work to increase rejection. They damage unity and reduce acceptance by others and ourselves. | |
| Recognize that Satan Lies | Satan has been lying to us since Adam. He wants us to believe that God does not mean what he says. He twists every truth so that we will come to hate ourselves and be rendered ineffective in the Body of Christ | John 8:44 |
| Recognize that our self image may cause us to push others away | When we don’t like ourselves we have difficulty accepting others. We strive to put others down to make us feel better about ourselves or perhaps we become so competitive that we push others away just trying to be good enough |
Things that can improve our sense of belonging
| Recognize Gods Love for us and that He has a plan for us | He loved us so much that he died for us and is now building a new home for us. | John 3:16 & 14:1-6 |
| Recognize that we (individually) have a great value to God | Jesus declared us his
friends as well as his brothers. We have been adopted as
Gods sons. God even values the birds and we have much more value than that. |
John 15:15, 20:17 Gal 4:6-7 Matt 6:25 |
| Recognize the role of the Holy Spirit in creating a sense of belonging | The Holy Spirit actually
lives within each of those in the Body of Christ. It is
He who binds us together. No matter where we might go the
Spirit provides a bond to other believers. He also give us the ability to overcome our sinful nature and its effects. |
Rom 8:9 Gal 5:22-25 |
| Acceptance by others in the body | God wants us to build each
other up and love each other Do you realize that by accepting others you are actually praising God. |
1 Cor 13:3-4 Rom 15:7 |
Read the Story of John Karmegan from page 185-186 of "In His Image".
Key Message:
Turn to the book of Ephesians and Read Eph 1:3-14
As a born again believer you belong! The body of Christ was chosen before time, it transcends distance, people, and problems . It will not only survive but it will be the tree that support life throughout the universe (Matt 13:32). As members we have been made totally acceptable to God through Christ, we have been empowered by Holy Spirit, we have been adopted as a son by God and given an inheritance. We are citizens of heaven (Phil 3:20) and are only temporarily in this world. We are already eternal beings (John 3:36) and all of creation is waiting eagerly for us to be revealed (Rom 8:19)... the next time you feel like you don’t belong think about this !
Closing Challenge:
Pass out and complete attached Acceptance Survey
Fear Of Rejection Test
Answer each question with a number from 1 to 5 where ;
1 - Always 2-Often 3-Sometimes 4-Seldom 5- Never
_____ Total your score
.
Fear Of Rejection Test
Answer each question with a number from 1 to 5 where ;
1 - Always 2-Often 3-Sometimes 4-Seldom 5- Never
_____ Total your score
ACCEPTANCE SURVEY
Instructions:
List 5 persons you live with , work with or have as friends in column 1. (Example: Brother, Girlfriend, Co-worker). Then score how accepting they are of you in Column 2 and how accepting you are of them in Column 3 - Use the scores A-D as described below on this. In the last column write what you can do to be less demanding.
A - Unconditionally Accepts
B - Conditionally Accepts Most of the time
C - Conditionally Accepts Sometimes
D - Does Not Accept
| 1. Person | 2. How Do they Accept Me? | 3. How do I accept Them? | 4. What can I do to put fewer demands for acceptance on them? |