Sermon Series: Never Alone
Sermon Title: The Root of Loneliness
Passage: Genesis 1-3
Speaker: Steve Howell (Senior Minister)

Use the following questions and directions based on today’s sermon as a starting point for spiritual discussions with your family or a small group of Christian friends this week.

Fellowship—Relationship with a Purpose

• According to research, half of the U.S. population struggles with loneliness. Do you struggle with those feelings? When is the struggle most difficult? Discuss and then pray! (1 Pt 5:7)

Growth—Thinking About Spiritual Matters

• Read Genesis 2:18. Why is this one aspect of creation “not good?”
• Some people try to fill their loneliness with a pet, like a dog or cat. Based on Genesis 2:19-20, would this work? Why is human companionship superior?
• Jesus often spent time in isolation (ex: Matthew 14:23). Why can such a time away be helpful? How long does it take before isolation is not helpful?
• Is physical separation from others better or worse than social separation (e.g. not fitting in)? Explain your answer.
• Read Isaiah 59:2. What kind of separation does our sin create? What are the results of this separation? See 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9
• How does God fix our spiritual separation? See Romans 5:18
• Read Matthew 1:23 and Acts 2:38. How close is God to you now?
  Does your awareness of God’s presence change how close He is? How can you gain a greater awareness that God is with you?
• If you are never alone because of God’s presence, does that mean you will never feel lonely? Why?

Prayer – Taking Your Thoughts to God

• Thank God for his constant presence, and for bridging the gap of spiritual separation caused by our sin! Praise God for Jesus!