THREE THINGS TO KNOW
DON’T MISS THIS. GROUPS START SOON! As an existing group, you understand the power of fellowship and following Jesus together. Take time to pray for the new groups that are forming and for people who need to take that step to join in authentic community. Is there someone in your life who might benefit from what your group has experienced? Consider extending an invitation for them to join you or connect with a new group that’s launching. See all group options HERE.
GROUP VALUES. This month, our focus is on PRAYER. Prayer becomes even more powerful when we gather in fellowship and bring our requests and our gratitude before God together. Consider how your group can grow in prayer this month—whether through dedicated prayer times, sharing specific requests, or learning new ways to communicate with our heavenly Father.
GROW AS A LEADER. As groups resume this fall, remember that your role as a leader is to create space for AUTHENTIC FELLOWSHIP to happen. This means being vulnerable first, asking follow-up questions that help people go deeper and ensuring everyone has an opportunity to share their stories and experiences. Fellowship requires intention—it won’t just happen when people gather together.
DISCUSSION GUIDE
Welcome to the fourth week of our sermon series, COURAGEOUS CHURCH. This week, we explore what true fellowship means and why it’s essential for every believer.
ICEBREAKER
What’s the most memorable church potluck or group meal you’ve ever attended, and what made it special?
THIS WEEK’S TEXT
Have someone read Acts 2:42-47 aloud.
We’ve been in this passage now for a few weeks. What words or phrases stand out to you this week?
Where did the early believers meet and how often?
What was the result of their fellowship?
THIS WEEK’S SERMON
Pastor Aaron Buer continued our COURAGEOUS CHURCH series by exploring the essential role of fellowship in the Christian life. As a group, recall some of the sermon’s big ideas and main points.
Our culture often promotes individualism and self-reliance, yet people are lonelier than ever before. How do you see this tension playing out in the world around us?
Pastor Aaron defined fellowship as following Jesus together, the intersection of our spiritual connection with God and our relational connection with other believers. What makes this different from regular friendship or just spending time with people?
Why do you think fellowship can only truly be experienced between believers who are following Jesus together?
Pastor Aaron said that we were not created for just “me and God.” We were created for “we and God.” How does this challenge ideas about faith only being a personal relationship with God?
Pastor Aaron explained that we were created in God’s image, and since God exists in fellowship as the Trinity, we were made for fellowship too. How does understanding that fellowship is part of God’s very nature change how you understand your need for community with other believers?
The early church met together both in the temple courts (large gatherings) and in homes (small groups). We need both environments. How do you engage in fellowship in both the large and small environments? How can you grow in engaging with either or both?
Share about a time when you experienced true fellowship—whether serving in church, in your family relationships, your marriage or a friendship. What made that experience of following Jesus together so meaningful or special?
WRAP UP
This week, we learned that fellowship is essential because we were created in God’s image for relationship with God and other believers, and that it requires both large and small group environments. What is one practical step you can take this week to pursue deeper fellowship—either by being more intentional in existing relationships with believers or growing in fellowship in our small group?