BELONGING SERIES
As part of our year focus on “Membership” we are digging into God’s word in our “Belonging” series. We hope it’s a tremendous blessing for us in in the way we do life together. May people see that we are his disciples by the way we love one another (John 13:35).
Belonging to God: made in God’s image. Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-25.
Preacher: Mike Hastie (youtube)
There’s a dignity and worth in each of us that’s God given. We’re made to image Him in relationship with each other and with God as we take up the call to steward the world. That image still exists in us but it’s now marred by sin.
Belonging to God (II): being known by him. Psalm 139:1-14, 1 Cor 13:11-12
Preacher: Mike Hastie (youtube)
God knows us completely. We know ourselves less than we think and we know others even less. Yet in a community of grace where we are known by God we grow together in knowing ourselves and each other.
Belonging Among God’s people. John 13:1-17, 31-35
Preacher: Mike Hastie and Natalie Ray (youtube)
There are over 60 “one another” commands in scripture. Love one another being the chief command. Jesus modelled this perfectly. We picked two summarising categories relevant to us from sings+stings: be real (forbear, serve, forgive, teach/encourage, not grumble) and be hospitable.
Belonging and Culture. 1 Cor 9:19-23
Preacher: Mike Hastie. Intercultural reflection: Jeri Jones-Spark (youtube)
Culture = “The way we do things around here”. It helps us feel attached. But we ultimately belong to Christ and even choose discomfort for the sake of winning people to Christ. Some us of even felt uncomfortable after this one and partly because we need more equipping to connect with people of different cultural backgrounds. Clive will be running some training next term for us here.
Belonging and Friendship. John 15:9–17, Proverbs 18:13; 22:11; 17:9; 3:3–4
Preacher: Keith Condie (youtube)
Friendship deeply matters because God himself is relational, demonstrated supremely in Jesus calling his followers friends and laying down his life for them. Christian friendship involves intentionally connecting with and loving people beyond our natural circles, modeling the inclusive and sacrificial friendship of Jesus. Practical steps like reaching out, listening well, and growing in Christian character help us build genuine, welcoming, and enduring friendships within the church community.
Belonging and Believing. Luke 5:27-32
Preacher: Mike Hastie (youtube)
Jesus invites people to experience a kind of belonging as he holds out grace and eats with sinners. But true belonging to Jesus (team Jesus!) is for those who trust him and repent.
Belonging not of this world. 1 Pet 1:13-25
Preacher: Mike Hastie (youtube)
Belonging to Jesus is to not belong to the world. We are called to be holy, to be alert/sober minded and resist graciously.
Belonging and Family. Mark 3:31-35, Mark 10:28-30
Preacher: Mike Hastie and Natalie Ray (youtube)
In the Old Testament, family lineage and biological descent defined belonging to God's people, but Jesus radically redefined family around obedience to God rather than blood relationships. The New Testament community—the church—is God's true family, bound together by faith in Christ, where marriage remains honoured but singleness also significantly demonstrates our eternal identity in Christ.
When Belonging Hurts: Phil 4:1-3, Galatians 6:1-5
Preacher: Mike Hastie and Natalie Ray (youtube)
Belonging in church is meant to be beautiful but can also bring real pain, especially when hurt comes from within our own spiritual family. Scripture acknowledges this reality (Psalm 55; Philippians 4:2-3; Galatians 6:1-2), calling Christians to address conflict gently, forgive deeply—even without repentance—and actively share burdens in genuine community. Despite the messiness, the gospel equips us to restore relationships, pursue unity, and lean into the church family as the place God intended for growth, healing, and belonging.