What if you’re waiting for someone to find you? Does “someone please find me” feel a little more familiar?
We were made to be in community.
But many of us feel lonely. According to a recent Harvard study, “36% of all Americans—including 61% of young adults and 51% of mothers with young children—feel “serious loneliness.” Not surprisingly, loneliness appears to have increased substantially since the outbreak of the global pandemic” (Loneliness in America, Harvard)
Another study shows a link between loneliness and dementia.
God gives us a solution. He made us for fellowship—so much so that even the structure of our brain is affected when we are denied by the lack of connection with one another.
This is an invitation, a reminder, that you have been called out of the tomb and into the light by Jesus Christ!
Gather with a few friends or gather with a larger group, make some yummy snacks to share, and discuss what it means to be found and to find others.
RevGather Guide
Angenette's Teaching: How To Be Found
Table of Contents
In this teaching, Angenette shares four tips for pushing against loneliness and building deep, God-first community.
Teaching begins at 4:45.
Discussion Questions
Take 20-30 minutes to discuss the following questions. Everyone should have a piece of paper and a pen/pencil.
1. Which of these tips for “being found” is the most natural for you? Which is the most challenging?
2. Can you briefly share about a time in your life when you were found by someone else?
3. Can you briefly share about a time when you reached out to find someone else?
4. While still in your groups, take five minutes to list every person you’ll come in contact with this week.
– Do you sense an opportunity for a deeper connection with anyone on that list?
– Discuss with your group one action step you’ll take toward connection this week.
Be Still & Be Loved: The Longing (Psalm 63:1-5)
“You, God, are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
where there is no water.”
– Psalm 63:1, NIV
After a generous discussion time, meditate on God’s word as a group using this Revelation Wellness Podcast episode.
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you process your group discussion. What longings for friendship has Lord brought to your attention? Is there any correction for misaligned longings? Or an invitation for a new longing?
Prayer Prompts
Consider ending your time by praying about any of the topics that fit your needs:
– Lift up to God your feelings of despair, sadness, or hopelessness related to loneliness.
– Reflect on a time of recent loneliness and imagine God with you. What does He do? What does He say?
– Ask God for eyes to see others who crave friendship and deep relationships.
– Ask the Holy Spirit for the courage to reach out to an acquaintance who could be a friend.
– Pray or confess about the ways you are using your time.
– Thank Jesus that He is your friend who is closer than a brother.
– Pray for others who feel lonely and isolated.
– Ask God to bless your efforts at building relationships. Thank Him when you see the fruit of this holy work.
Gather Tech-Free
Download the RevGather guide for a (mostly) tech-free gathering with friends! Get all the content here, in addition to two exclusive recipes from Cooking with Lori and teaching notes!
