Do you long to be loved - to have a group of people that cares deeply for you? Chip shares how to connect deeply with others and how they can connect deeply with you.

Main Points

Dr. Larry Crabb: “Imagine what could happen if God were to place within his people intangible nutrients that had the power to both prevent and reverse soul disease and then told us to share those nutrients with each other in a special kind of intimate relating called connection. Imagine what could happen if that were true, if we believed it, and if we devoted ourselves to understanding what those nutrients were and how we could give them away. I envision a community of people who intentionally mingle in settings where these nutrients are passed back and forth, where I pour into you the healing resources within me and you pour into me what God has put in you. Like spiritual gifts, these nutrients only nourish our own souls as we give them away for the blessing of others. In recent days, I have made a shift. I am now working toward the day when communities of God’s people, ordinary Christians whose lives regularly intersect, will accomplish most of the good that we now depend on mental health professionals to provide. And they will do it by connecting with each other in ways that only the gospel makes possible.”

Question: What is this “better way” and how does it work?

God’s Answer: “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.” --Romans 12:10

What keeps us from experiencing this authentic devotion one to another?

1. It doesn’t happen automatically. --1 Thessalonians 4:9-10; 1 Peter 1:22-23; 2 Peter 1:5-7
2. It takes time, effort, and intentionally.
3. It is especially difficult for some of us to share at the “feeling” level because: | We fear rejection. | We come from poor family backgrounds. | We’ve had negative church experiences.|
4. Personal unresolved anger and bitterness.
5. Excessive preoccupation with ourselves.
6. Failure to recognize our limitationsand personal capacitiesin relationships.
7. Idealistic / Unrealistic expectations.

How can you develop deeper “family relationships”?

1. Honestly evaluate your level of “connectedness” and family devotion.
2. Identify the top two factors that are keeping you from building warmer, deeper relationships in God’s family.
3. Prayerfully determine which sub-group you would be most comfortable with.
4. Prayerfully decide on a specific time, event, or activity that would allow you to “take the next step” toward devotion and connection. (If possible, ask someone to go with you.)
5. Join a Growth Group or Ministry Team for a specified, limited time.
6. Be friendly – even if it doesn’t come naturally.
7. Ask God to let you find someone who feels “less connected” than you this week and love them.

Broadcast Resource

• Download Free MP3
• Message Notes

Additional Resource Mentions

• Free Your Divine Design Book

About Chip Ingram

Chip Ingram’s passion is helping Christians really live like Christians. As a pastor, author, and teacher for more than three decades, Chip has helped believers around the world move from spiritual spectators to healthy, authentic disciples of Jesus by living out God’s truth in their lives and relationships in transformational ways.

About Living on the Edge

Living on the Edge exists to help Christians live like Christians. Established in 1995 as the radio ministry of pastor and author Chip Ingram, God has since grown it into a global discipleship ministry. Living on the Edge provides Biblical teaching and discipleship resources that challenge and equip spiritually hungry Christians all over the world to become mature disciples of Jesus.

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