PUZZLING

Finding our fit or where we belong is often like a puzzle.

Each of us have unique shapes, unique connecting points.

And when we find ourselves connected in the right way to other people, we form relationships that benefit not only ourselves, but most importantly others around us.

On the Team!

As a young person, did you ever 'make the team?'

What emotions came with putting on the 'uniform' and knowing you BELONGED?

Three points:
We spend a lot of time in life wandering around looking for where we fit in.

When we find that place where we belong, we also find our purpose (more on that next week).

When we find our fit in community, we have a benefit to others.

Where do I fit?
That process often begins with us trying to understand our unique shape. You have to understand who you are- your identity- if you are going to find where you belong.

You have to identify your values, interests, goals.

When you know these, then you know where you fit. And, you also know where you don’t fit.

CAUTION!
if you’ve found your place among a group of people. Don’t be so insular that you make people feel excluded.

Set a place at your table and invite people to belong.

FIT and PURPOSE
When we find a place we 'fit' we often discover our purpose.

Join us next week as we welcome three guests who will help us understand what it means to find your purpose: Cheryl Hornung, founder of Caitlin's Smiles, Ross Willard, who started Recycle Bicycle, and author Floyd Stokes from American Literacy Corporation and 500 Men Reading program.

Family Belonging
What did you take-away from the experience of the Neumyer and Kiger families?

Belonging for Others
When the disciples of Jesus, within a community of faith, come together they are built into a force for good.

We’ve seen this play out at our reading program at Ray’s Place. People with similar skills and passion have come together in a way that benefits kids and their families.

Daniel – Answering the Three Big Questions

Each week in the series, we’ll be using the story of Daniel to inform our transformation. You are encouraged to read Daniel chapters 1-6. Use the questions to lead discussions about how you can answer the 3 Big Questions yourself.

Week 3 – Belonging: Power in Community

Read Daniel 3

Daniel 3:16-18 NIV
16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
Background: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego have been sticking together throughout their journey in Babylon. Along with Daniel, they have refused to be squeezed into the culture of the Babylonians. Now they stand together in humble defiance of King Nebuchadnezzar’s decree to bow before an idol.

Proverbs 13:20 Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
1. How does the relationship of the three Hebrews teach us the principle of this Proverb?
2. Have you ever found yourself with the ‘fools’ and experienced the damage of belonging to the wrong group?

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego chose to stand against the flow of the crowd. While everyone else bowed down, they maintained their integrity. They were committed to maintaining the prohibition of the Ten Commandments to not bow down before idols.
3. How easy is it to just ‘go with the flow?’
4. As we learned early on about Daniel and his friends, they ‘pre-decided’ how they would honor their faith even when it was challenged. How does ‘pre-deciding’ and having the accountability of friends help you to maintain your stand against the flow?

After coming through the fire, the three Hebrews’ experience brought about a promotion for them and inspired King Nebuchadnezzar to honor God.
5. Would we still be talking about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego’s stand if they had burned up in the fire?
6. How does standing with the right companions inspire other people to honor God?
7. How does the story of the fiery furnace inspire you to find the right people to belong with in life?

Take A Step
Each week we come together and declare our vision; but today I want to invite you to put that vision into action. Take a step in each of these ways this week:

We are a community of faith –
With whom from this community of faith will you reflect on what you learned today?

being transformed by God’s grace –
What will you do in response to what you learned today so that you will be transformed?

inspiring people to become disciples of Jesus –
How will you inspire someone by sharing something you learned today?