WE NEED A MULTIPLICITY OF CONNECTIONS
We must connect UP to those older or more experienced
For questions and wisdom, even accountability
Acts 15:39
2 Timothy 4:11
We must connect ACROSS to those in similar places in life as far as age, school, marriage, kids, etc
For challenge, encouragement, and sometimes to just do life together
Galatians 1:18-19
Paul had an interesting connection with James. Read these scriptures as if you’re hearing a back and forth conversation between Paul & James on faith (grace) and Christian works (not the law).
Galatians 2:16, James 2:14-20, Romans 4:13-14, James 2:21-24
We must connect Down to those younger or less experienced, or unreached
For challenge, growth and fulfillment, etc
[ctt template=”3″ link=”v4ZEU” via=”no” ]It is unhealthy to not seek new connections or to limit our connections to what is comfortable, easy or already established.[/ctt]
When only exposed to the same people and situations over and over, old ideas are never challenged, “new” wisdom is often a distortion of old ideas, creativity becomes predictable.
THOSE WHO DON’T CONNECT UP ARE MOST LIKELY TO BECOME CONFUSED, GROW TIRED, FEEL FRUSTRATED, ETC.
Five UP needs:
A mentor in our life, besides our spouse,
at least one “that’s stupid” friend,
to hear challenging sermons on a very regular basis,
discipleship small groups,
to connect with people who can pray with, over and for us (like a prayer team member!)
THOSE WHO DON’T CONNECT ACROSS ARE PRONE TO BE LONELY, EVEN IN A CROWD!
– It’s why we need fellowship Small Groups
THOSE WHO DON’T CONNECT DOWN AREN’T TRULY GROWING.
We become stagnant. Without the challenge of helping someone else, we can begin to think we’ve already learned all we need to know. Gaining knowledge and possessing wisdom is good but with no place outside our own life to sow/invest, practice, challenge ourselves, we will not continue growing.
It’s why you need regular ministry and serve opportunities! Because you need connection up AND down to grow and develop.
Church 29:11 