Connect Regularly

Welcome to the "Shut Your Pie Hole" series! Curious about the name? Well, it's all about examining our spiritual habits and identifying areas where we can improve. Just like a pie with its slices, we'll assess various spiritual disciplines to help you grow. But first, let's take a closer look at what this series entails.

Discover Your Personal Spiritual Agenda (PSA):

Our journey begins with the PSA Pie. Each slice represents a different spiritual discipline, and we're here to help you identify the gaps in your spiritual routine. Visit newlifegillette.com/psa to take a short assessment or fill out the paper version provided. Once completed, our team will pray over your responses and offer personalized recommendations for your spiritual growth.

Understanding the Shut Your Pie Hole Series:

Here's a quick overview of what we'll cover:

• Week 1: Connect Regularly
• Week 2: Share Generously
• Week 3: Grow Consistently
• Week 4: Worship Enthusiastically
• Week 5: Serve Faithfully

Today, our focus is on connecting regularly, a cornerstone of Christian community.

The Importance of Connection:

Did you know that loneliness is considered one of the greatest public health threats in America? Despite technological advancements, many individuals still experience profound isolation. Even extroverts and leaders are not immune to feelings of loneliness.

Biblical Community:

The church offers a unique form of community rooted in unconditional love. While the world may prioritize information dissemination, our purpose transcends mere knowledge. As 1 Corinthians 8:1 reminds us, love strengthens the church.

1 Corinthians 8:1
But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.

Building Lifelong Friendships:

Loneliness is not just a feeling; it's a signal that our need for community is unmet. By proactively building relationships, we can combat loneliness and experience the transformative power of Christian fellowship.

Lessons from Ruth and Naomi:

Ruth 1:1-16

Elimelech Moves His Family to Moab

1 In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a severe famine came upon the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah left his home and went to live in the country of Moab, taking his wife and two sons with him. ² The man’s name was Elimelech, and his wife was Naomi. Their two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in the land of Judah. And when they reached Moab, they settled there.

³ Then Elimelech died, and Naomi was left with her two sons. ⁴ The two sons married Moabite women. One married a woman named Orpah, and the other a woman named Ruth. But about ten years later, ⁵ both Mahlon and Kilion died. This left Naomi alone, without her two sons or her husband.

Naomi and Ruth Return

⁶ Then Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had blessed his people in Judah by giving them good crops again. So Naomi and her daughters-in-law got ready to leave Moab to return to her homeland. ⁷ With her two daughters-in-law she set out from the place where she had been living, and they took the road that would lead them back to Judah.

⁸ But on the way, Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back to your mothers’ homes. And may the Lord reward you for your kindness to your husbands and to me. ⁹ May the Lord bless you with the security of another marriage.” Then she kissed them good-bye, and they all broke down and wept.

¹⁰ “No,” they said. “We want to go with you to your people.”

¹¹ But Naomi replied, “Why should you go on with me? Can I still give birth to other sons who could grow up to be your husbands? ¹² No, my daughters, return to your parents’ homes, for I am too old to marry again. And even if it were possible, and I were to get married tonight and bear sons, then what? ¹³ Would you wait for them to grow up and refuse to marry someone else? No, of course not, my daughters! Things are far more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord himself has raised his fist against me.”

¹⁴ And again they wept together, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye. But Ruth clung tightly to Naomi. ¹⁵ “Look,” Naomi said to her, “your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. You should do the same.”

¹⁶ But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.

The story of Ruth and Naomi illustrates the beauty of mutual dependence and unwavering loyalty. Despite facing loss and adversity, they found strength in their bond with each other and their community.

Conclusion:

As we navigate this Shut Your Pie Hole series, let's remember the importance of cultivating authentic connections within the body of Christ. Together, we can overcome loneliness, support one another, and experience the fullness of God's love in community.