October 4 – 10, 2008

GOD HAS PROVIDED EVERYTHING YOU NEED

In this lesson, you will learn that God has provided everything you need, and one of the ways He provides for you is through other people.

I. God has provided everything you need – Romans 8:28-32.

A. Verse 28 – “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

B. Verse 29 – God foreknew you. You are a work in progress, being conformed to the image of Jesus.

C. Verse 30 – He called you and justified you.

D. Verse 31 – “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

E. Verse 32 – God freely gave us all things.

II. One way God provides for you is through other people.

A. Ephesians 4:16 – “From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”

B. Proverbs 27:17 – “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenances of his friend.”

III. We need other people in the Body of Christ.

A. It is important as a believer to not become isolated, critical, or cynical because we need one another.

B. If you are in relationship with Jesus, remember you are also in relationship with His other children. Every member of the Body is valuable.

C. Hebrews 10:23-25 – “Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together…but exhorting one another” – vv. 24-25.

D. Acts 4:23 – “And being let go, they went to their own companions.” When the disciples needed encouragement and prayer, they went to others in the Body of Christ.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• Share a time in your life when you were isolated, critical, or cynical.
• Where are you connected in the Body of Christ?
• Who is sharpening your life right now?

BE A DOER OF THE WORD

This week begin to take steps toward being more connected in the Body of Christ. If you are not in a cell group, attend one this week. If you are part of a cell group, begin to move towards becoming a leader.

SCRIPTURE MEMORY VERSE: Ephesians 4:16 – “From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies.”