Big Idea: You were created for more than sitting and listening or standing and singing.

The Church is…part of a community, called out from sin and into transparent relationships for the purpose of making Jesus famous in their city.

I. “The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people.”   
Philemon 1-2 
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother: To Philemon our dear friend and coworker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your home.

II. An intimate relationship with God can be enhanced through small groups. 
Hebrews 10:23-25
Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful. And let us watch out for one another to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.

III. “The more genuine and the deeper our community becomes, the more will everything else between us recede, the more clearly and purely will Jesus Christ and his work become the one and only thing that is vital between us. We have one another only through Christ, but through Christ, we do have one another, wholly, and for all eternity.”
From Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Life Together
Acts 2:42-47 
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Next Steps: 

Believe: I want to become part of God’s family today. 
Become: I will join a group this week. 
Be Sent: I will invite someone to my group this week. 


Group Discussion Questions: 

What does intimacy mean to you, and how do you express it in your relationships?
When did you last share intimate details about your life in a church service context?
When was the last time someone from church directly challenged you about your faith or lifestyle?
How do you build and maintain emotional intimacy with church people?
How comfortable are you with vulnerability in your relationships, and how do you navigate it?
In what ways do you affirm intimacy with other church people?
Pray for God to help you go deeper with a small group this week.