A Closer Look At A Relational Environment
Spiritual growth happens best with others who share the goal of being a disciple of Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:1-2 Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.
Paul wrote this to Timothy, a man he discipled. Underline the following words in the passage: many witnesses, reliable men, and others. What do all these words have in common? They are talking about a group of people about more than one person. The most compelling phrase is “entrust to reliable men.”
Paul’s direction to Timothy infers that he would be discipling people, just as Jesus had done and just as Paul had done with Timothy and others. Paul was with his disciples in a variety of situations and places, not just in a classroom where Paul lectured.
1. What are two benefits of growing in a group instead of in isolation?
There are numerous advantages to growing as a group, but if a group is not intentional about building relationships, it is just another class.
GOD IS RELATIONAL
Jesus modeled relationships with His disciples.
2. Read Mark 3:13-19
Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve--- designating them
apostles--- that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and have authority to drive out demons. These are the
twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to who he gave the name
Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder); Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus,
Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
How many people were in Jesus’s discipleship group?
Why wasn’t the group open to anyone who wanted to show up?
How did Jesus give special attention to this group?
Jesus’ group of twelve men was not open for people to come and go as they pleased. At times, He did set them apart for special discussions, teaching, and relationships.
ARE YOU RELATIONAL?
If you are working through this study, you have been meeting people in your connect group for several weeks. Your discussions have likely ranged from theology to sports and from family to work.
3. See if you can answer the following questions about one person in your group?
Name:
Where they work:
Spouse or girl/boyfriend:
Children’s names:
Where they grew up:
Favorite hobby:
How well do you know this person in your group? Your answers indicate the depth of your relationships.
4. Place an X next to the line representing how well you know this person in your group.
__ Don’t have a clue
__ Acquaintances
__ Know some about them
__ Know them well--their strengths and weaknesses
If you did well in filling out the above list, you already know the value of being relational. If you weren’t able to fill in the list, take some time this week to hear a little
of each other’s stories.
An intentional facilitator can guide and strengthen a connect group’s relational environment by encouraging people to share their lives. Simple questions about families, experiences, hopes, and fears provide relational opportunities. You as the connect group facilitator can intentionally help members of your group to share their stories with each other. You already have the tools in the list above.
5. List three questions you might use to build relationships in a group.
Fun Example: If you could have a marvel superhero power what would it be?
A good place to start is past, present, and future. For example:
Past: What is your fondest childhood memory?
Present: Are you where you thought you would be ten years ago?
Future: If you had one wish for your future, what would it be?
Remember, it is not only your job to create a relational environment; each member of your group contributes health and depth. Deep relationships don’t happen accidentally and are essential for discipleship. As a facilitator be practical and assess your own abilities. Pay attention to how you interact with the members of your group. Work on areas that you see you can improve upon.
Here are some questions to ask yourself:
Am I thinking about what I need to do after this group?
Is my mind somewhere else right now?
Do I look uninvolved or uninterested?
Accept and celebrate people’s experiences
We are not celebrating people’s sin
We value their story
Empathy comes as we listen to people’s stories
Discipleship
People will open up and share their struggles or their struggle with sin. The sharing of those struggles or sins is not the end all be all. It is the starting point. We refuse to try to be fixers but lead them to take steps towards holiness.
What is an action step you can take today to walk in holiness and victory?
Is there someone in this group that can hold you accountable and pray
with you?
Are you ready to walk in obedience to God’s word?
Review
A relational environment is more than a class or group. It requires people to
share their lives.
God is relational by nature; Jesus and Paul modeled relational environments.
Therefore, discipleship happens best in a relational environment.
We resist the desire to be fixers of people’s lives and lead them to take active
steps towards righteousness and victory.