Relational Connection In A Digital Age
Sermon Notes
Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.”
- 1 Samuel 14:6-8
“In that first attack Jonathan and his armor-bearer killed some twenty men in an area of about half an acre.”
- 1 Samuel 14:14
After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.
- 1 Samuel 18:1-3
David got up from the south side of the stone and bowed down before Jonathan three times, with his face to the ground. Then they kissed each other and wept together—but David wept the most.
Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.’” Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town.
- 1 Samuel 20:41-42
While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life. And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.”
- 1 Samuel 23:15-17
Table Group Resources
Mixer
What is something you thought was an “indicator of wealth” when you were a kid?
‘Neighborly’ - Daily Devotional
To get the Daily Devotionals delivered to you every morning, text ‘dailydevotional’ to 97000.
In the 10/11/22 entry, I Found God In The Superbowl, DJ Brennan talks about how we establish a passion for something once we find our connection to it. How is your passion for putting Jesus first in your life? DJ suggested that we look at how we fill the gap between spiritual connection and spiritual depth: What are you cutting out, or putting in, to give God the space to build that connection and passion with you?
In the 10/14/22 entry, Shake Off Your Shoulds, Kyle Moss reminds us that Jesus is a place of rest and he can help you overcome your guilt and anxieties about all the “shoulds” that occupy our minds. How does Jesus’ word in Matthew 11:28-30 help you reframe your thinking?
Sermon Questions
Scriptures: 1 Samuel 14:6-8, 1 Samuel 18: 1-3, 1 Samuel 20: 41-42, 1 Samuel 23: 15-17; John 15:12-13
What did you learn in this week’s message about Relational Connection?
Pastor Jared noted that, historically, people of past eras developed more meaningful relationships than they do today. What was different back then? Why did people create relational bonds then that we don’t today?
Similar to Pastor Jared’s story of the taco server, describe a “friendly” relationship you have with someone. What aspects of this type of relationship are convenient and comfortable? What is lacking in this relationship?
Describe Jonathan and David’s relationship with one another. Compare this to a similar friendship you have. Is your relationship based on a covenant mindset, or a consumer mindset? Describe this friendship.
What percentage of your relationships would you say are just “friendly”? Why are we content to stay in the realm of just “friendly” relationships? How does Go First leadership challenge you to be a Jonathan?
Going into the week, review your passions. Is there a person out there with a similar passion who is primed to become a friend of yours? Will you Go First and invite this person to join you in the important aspects of your lives?
Serve
Trunk or Treat is Saturday, Oct 29 this year, 4-6pm. We would LOVE IT if you, or your group, could lend us a hand to make this event a blast! We need people to provide the Trunks - decorate your trunk and pass out candy. Or volunteer with us for set up, run the event, and/or tear down. Follow these links:
Pray
Pray this week as final details are coming together for this year’s Serve Day on Nov 5th! Not only are we beautifying Kit Carson Park, but we are also showing some TLC to Grape Day and Grove Parks in Escondido, and to Meadowbrook Middle School in Poway. Pray now for all of the recipients of the benefits of these improvements - that they would experience the effect of God’s love of this world and of them. Pray for our Go First teams and how the LORD might use them in the midst of these projects as the public passes in and out of these areas. And pray for cooperative weather - that’s always a benefit!
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
Hebrews 6:10
