Bonus Trail | Grow Deep

Real growth needs real relationships.

Can I actually become who God is calling me to be without them?

“A person living in a modern city or suburb can, for the first time in history, go through an entire day - or an entire life - mostly encountering complete strangers. They can be surrounded by others and yet feel deeply, dangerously alone.” - Sebastian Junger

“It is not good for the man to be alone.” - Genesis 2:18

We were not designed to live self-contained lives. Personal was never intended to mean private.

Question #1: What are we saved into?

God births us into a family.

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the diving wall of hositility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility” - Ephesians 2:13-16

“You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household…And in him you too are being build together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. “ - Ephesians 2:19, 22

“A person is saved to community.” - Joseph Hellerman

The church isn’t just an event you attend. It’s a family you belong to.

Question #2: How does God use that family to grow us?

He forms us through one another.

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” - Ephesians 4:1-3

You cannot practice these alone: humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with one another.

“But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.” - Ephesians 4:7

“To equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” - Ephesians 4:12

The whole body grows and builds itself up in love.

“As each part does its work…” - Ephesians 4:16

Some of what you need to grow will come through the people God placed around you. Some of what they need, God has placed in you.

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” - James 5:16

Question #3: What keeps us from it?

We want connection without its cost.

Counterfeit Connection Lie: I can experience the benefits of connection without dealing with the needs of real people.

“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24

We are tempted to influence everyone and belong to no one. Our hearts are designed for costly love, not a risk-free imitation of it.

Audition Lie: People must prove their worth before I let them close.

“When you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed because they cannot repay you.” - Luke 14:13-14

“Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you.” - Romans 15:7

Greener Grass Lie: Somewhere else would be easier and someone else would be better.

Growth requires rootedness. The good stuff only shows up after you’ve stayed past the point where things got hard.

“The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord, they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green.” - Psalm 92:12-14

Who is God asking you to show up for? Who is God asking you to let in?