<p class=""><strong>SCRIPTURE: </strong>1 Thessalonians 4:9-10, Galatians 6:2, &amp; Matthew 26:26-29</p><p class=""><br><br></p> <p class=""><strong>YOU CAN ALSO READ KENNY’S MANUSCRIPT FOR THIS SERMON </strong><a href="https://revolutionsermons.wordpress.com"><strong>HERE</strong></a><strong>!</strong></p><p class=""><strong>REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:</strong></p><ol data-rte-list="default"><li><p class="">Do church relationships/friendships seem strangely “brittle” at times? Why might this be? What needs to change in how we approach friendships in the church in order to make them more resilient?</p></li><li><p class="">Kenny shared two stories about church relationships: one lacking <em>commitment</em> but trying to force <em>formation</em>, and another with strong <em>commitment</em> but missing spiritual <em>formation</em>. Have you experienced either frustration before? How do we find the right balance between these two elements?</p></li><li><p class="">In your current church friendships, which aspect needs more attention: the <em>commitment</em> part or the spiritual <em>formation</em> part?</p></li><li><p class="">The sermon compares the covenant of <em>marriage</em> to the covenant of the <em>Church</em>. What are some key similarities between these two covenants? How does this comparison illuminate your role in Christian community?</p></li><li><p class="">Galatians 6:2 instructs us to “bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” How can we practically live this out in our church community beyond Sunday services? What is one specific way you could help bear someone's burden in our church community this week?</p></li><li><p class="">The sermon suggests that authentic Christian community is <em>urgent</em> in our current world of war, oppression, poverty, and fear. How can deeper church relationships help us be “tangible blessings” to our neighbors?</p></li></ol>