ABOVE & BEYOND — WEEK 1
CONNECT INTENTIONALLY
“We Grow Better Together”
If we want to grow deeper with Jesus, we have to grow closer to one another.
How?
1. CONNECT WITH JESUS
John 15:4–5: Jesus' command is simple: Remain in Me.
Everything God wants to do through me begins with what He is doing in me.
APPLICATION
During these 30 days, don't merely add religious activity; develop a connection with Jesus.
2. CONNECT WITH HIS PEOPLE
Jesus then says, “Love each other”.
In Ecclesiastes 4, we learn: Two are better than one. If one falls, another can help them up. And a cord of three strands isn't easily broken.
PERSONAL CHALLENGE
During Above & Beyond:
Don't just come to church, connect to the church.
Find 2–12 other people. Meet weekly. Talk about the weekend message. Pray together. Encourage one another. Serve together.
God didn't call us simply to sit beside one another. He called us to walk with one another.
3. CONNECT WITH SOMEONE WHO NEEDS JESUS
Jesus said in John 15:17, "Love each other."
God connects us to each other so we can connect others to Him together.
APPLICATION
Who has God already put around you?
"God, help me see the people You've already sent me to."
SMALL-GROUP DISCUSSION
1. CONNECT WITH JESUS
What most helps you stay connected to Jesus, and what most commonly pulls you away?
2. CONNECT WITH PEOPLE
What's the difference between simply attending church and genuinely sharing life with other believers? What would deeper connection look like for you?
3. CONNECT WITH MISSION
Who has God already placed around you who may need encouragement, friendship, prayer, or an opportunity to encounter Jesus? What intentional step could you take this week?
John 15:1–17
1 “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. 5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. 9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. 16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.”
Acts 2:42–47
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
Ecclesiastes 4:9–12
9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
Hebrews 10:24–25
24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.