Nobody Stands Alone - Alone in a Crowd

Series: Nobody Stands Alone
Alone in a Crowd by John Burke - September 7, 2008

What do we want Gateway to be? More importantly, what does God want Gateway to be? This week John focused on at least one aspect of the answer: a community. We weren’t created to be alone (As John pointed out, Adam alone was the first and only thing that God said was “not good” in the Genesis story of creation). Given how most of us have some deep need or desire for some sort of connection, doesn’t that sort of make sense?

1. John started the message with an example of a time when he was at another church and was just standing by himself in the coffee area with no one to talk to and feeling pretty alone. Have you ever experienced anything like that – even if completely different circumstances? Think back about one of your own experiences… maybe in the last week or month... or maybe something really horrible/memorable from earlier years. What were the circumstances? Can you describe your feelings at the time? Take some time to share about your “all alone” experience. (10 minutes)

2. Next, in the experience you described above… what happened? Did you bolt? Did someone “rescue” you? Maybe you took the initiative and made a connection? Describe some of the solutions to those “all alone” experiences. So, how did that work for you? Talk about whether there are some solutions that seem to be more “successful” than others. (10 minutes)

3. We know from Genesis that God thinks it’s not good for humans to be alone, so there must be some reasons we need “community”. Discuss that. What are some of the reasons it is good to be connected in genuine, open relationships? (10 minutes)

4. So, if community is so good, why is it that it can be so rare? Talk about different reasons it is hard for us to stay in community/relationships. (While you’re discussing this one, take a look at Genesis 3 – some key passages are below – and see if that gives you any other ideas about why we have trouble being in relationships.) (10 minutes)

5. At the end of the message, John talked about the Soul Revolution that Gateway will be starting in October. The Soul Revolution commitment is to “check in” with God every hour for two months. The series is based on the previous 60/60 challenge from about three years ago. See whether there is anyone in the group who took the challenge then - or at least tried to. If so, take some time for those who are willing to talk about their own experience. Did it make any difference in your spiritual life/relationship with God? If so, how? If not, describe that too. What were challenges to staying with it and how did you handle those? If no one tried 60/60 before – or if time allows, talk about some of the LIKELY issues/challenges people might face in committing to the Soul Revolution challenge. (10 minutes)

6. Leave some time for the group to discuss whether to “sign on” to the Soul Revolution. If you have already decided to do the program, discuss any mechanics and possible challenges. If the verdict is out, end with some time for individuals to think about whether they are personally willing to commit to Soul Revolution. Be sure to pray that God will give you direction and conviction if this is the right time for you to do this. If the group is doing Soul Revolution, pray that God will encourage you and the group to support each other and also pray that God will do great things at Gateway from this experience.

Note: If your group will not participate in Soul Revolution, be thinking of what you will do during that time. Because the Sunday messages will be based on Soul revolution, Second Helpings will use the Soul Revolution group discussion questions, so there will not be independent lessons or discussion questions.

If you WILL participate, be sure everyone in the group signs up (link below) so you can get materials and copies of the Soul Revolution book starting next week.

Bible verses from the message:

Then God said, "Let us make people in our image, in our likeness… And the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone.” Genesis 1:26, 2:18

Then God said, "Let us make people in our image, in our likeness…” Genesis 1:26

"How is it that they say the Christ is the Son of David? David himself declares in the Book of Psalms: " `The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand…”’ David calls him `Lord.' How then can he be his son?" Luke 20:41-44 quoting Psalm 110:1

“They sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God….” Genesis 3:7-8

“[God] said, "Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?" The man said, "The woman you put here with me….” Genesis 3:11-12

[Jesus] said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life… "If you knew me, you would know my Father also." John 8:12, 19

I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. John 17:20-21

There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number. Acts 2:44-47

Want to get more/go farther?

• Learn more about Soul Revolution - and register on-line.
• You can listen to this message - and other ones too at Gateway Messages.
• Get an idea of where you are in your spiritual journey and customize your own next steps at Gateway's Discover, Develop, Deepen website.
• Search for other topics you want to know more about Gateway's online Bookstore, or go to the virtual Bookstore (in the Garage and on the second level of the auditorum at Gateway's main campus).