Recap:

Since the beginning of this year, we’ve been talking about Sabbath – rest and work – because you cannot live a healthy life for God without a healthy rhythm. And last week we named our word for the year at Cross Points. Say it with me – Rhythm.

Because here’s what I believe about 2026 – you can have goals, dreams, and plans… but you will not accomplish God’s best for your life if you keep running on fumes. Rest isn’t laziness. Rest is training. Rest is recovery. Rest is how God rebuilds the “micro-tears” in your soul so you can actually do what He’s called you to do. So we’re establishing a rhythm – rest and work, recovery and mission, breathing in and pouring out.

But today we step into the first rhythm I want all of us – not just “you all,” but me too – to live out this year.

There is no spiritual rhythm without community.

And I know most people will nod their heads at that. But I’m not talking about community like an event. I’m talking about community like a core rhythm of the Christian life.

Here’s the premise I want you to sit with:

One central rhythm of the Christian life is belonging.

Not attending. Not consuming. Not showing up when it’s convenient. Belonging.

Because Jesus doesn’t just save individuals – He adopts people into a family.

Jesus says things that mess with us.
He teaches us to call God “Father,” and He makes it clear that those who receive Him – those who believe – are given the right to become children of God. That’s not just religious language. That’s identity. That’s inheritance. That’s security. That’s “I’m not defined by my past, my money, my job, or my failures – I’m defined by my Father.”

But then Jesus takes it further, and this is where it gets uncomfortable.

He tells the crowd that compared to our devotion to Him, everything else takes second place. Even family. Even self. Not because family is bad – but because family can become an idol. And when Jesus starts talking like that, He’s not trying to hurt families – He’s trying to rescue us from building our whole lives around something that was never meant to be ultimate.

Then He says something that would’ve been shocking in the first century.
When His mother and brothers are outside wanting His attention, Jesus looks at the circle of disciples around Him and says, “Here are my mother and my brothers… whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

Do you hear what He’s doing?

Jesus is redefining family. He’s creating a new one.

And in the first century, “brother” and “sister” didn’t mean “church language.” Those were the strongest, most responsibility-filled relationships. Brothers and sisters didn’t just share memories – they shared resources, protection, provision, and loyalty.

So when Jesus says, “These are my brothers and sisters,” He’s not being poetic. He’s being practical.

You belong to each other.

Which means church isn’t a building you attend. It’s a family you commit to.

That’s why the Christian life can’t be “me and Jesus, privately, on my own, whenever I feel like it.” Even the Lord’s Prayer doesn’t start with “my Father.” It starts with our Father. This faith is personal, but it was never meant to be private.

So we gather – not as consumers, but as family – because:

  • Jesus is present when we’re together.
  • Burdens are shared so nobody has to carry life alone.
  • Drift is prevented because isolation makes us vulnerable.
  • Gifts are activated because you have something the body needs.
  • Maturity is formed because growth happens in relationships, not hiding.
  • Discipleship is proven because love is our witness.
  • Life is shared because faith is a “we” thing, not a “me” thing.

And here’s the hard truth:

We grow when we stay together.

Ephesians says, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
Make every effort – because unity doesn’t happen accidentally. It happens intentionally.

Which means discipleship isn’t formed through convenience – it’s formed through commitment.

And if we’re honest, one of the biggest threats to spiritual maturity today is how easily we leave. We bolt. We hop. We move on. We don’t work through pain, we escape it. We don’t practice forgiveness, we practice avoidance. We don’t stay rooted, we stay reactionary.

But God forms people in families – and families are hard.

You don’t get to hand-pick your brothers and sisters in Christ. And yes – the person you least want to live with… somehow always lives in community.

That’s not a bug. That’s part of the design.

Because God uses the people around you – even the irritating ones – to shape you, humble you, strengthen you, mature you, and teach you how to love like Jesus.

So here’s the question I want you to sit with this week:

What kind of disciple are you becoming in 2026?

Are you becoming the kind who slips in late and leaves early?
The kind who checks the box?
The kind who treats Christianity like one more accessory in an already full life?

Or are you becoming the kind of disciple where Jesus is the thread running through everything – your rhythms, your choices, your priorities, your relationships?

Because if we’re serious about rhythm… then we have to be serious about belonging.

And that’s why I’m saying this plainly:

Connect groups aren’t just a ministry. They’re who we are.
 Because life is better together.
And disciples are formed together.

So don’t isolate. Don’t drift. Don’t do this alone.

Step into the rhythm of community. Amen.

Group Questions:

Icebreakers (Choose 1-2)

  1. Low-risk, fun:
     What’s one rhythm in your life right now that feels healthy, and one that feels exhausting?
  2. Relatable:
     On a scale of 1-10, how full does your tank usually feel by the end of the week? What tends to drain it most?
  3. Connection-based:
     When you hear the word family, what’s the first word that comes to mind?
  4. Church-adjacent:
     What initially brought you to Cross Points, people, teaching, invitation, timing, or something else?

Opening Reflection

“There is no spiritual rhythm without community.”

  • What stood out to you most from the message?
  • Was there a line or moment that felt personally challenging or affirming?

Belonging vs. Attending

  1. The sermon made a distinction between attending and belonging.
    • How would you personally define the difference?
    • Where do you honestly see yourself right now?
  2. What do you think keeps people (including us) from moving from attendance to belonging?
  3. Have you ever experienced a season where you truly belonged somewhere?
    • What made that environment feel different?

Redefining Family

  1. Jesus didn’t just save individuals, He formed a family.
    • How does that challenge the idea of “me and Jesus, privately”?
    • Why do you think belonging to spiritual family feels harder than personal faith?
  2. The Lord’s Prayer begins with “Our Father,” not “My Father.”

    • What does that say about how God designed faith to be lived out?

The Hard Part of Community

  1. The sermon said: “Families are hard, and that’s part of the design.”

    • Why do you think God uses imperfect people to shape us?
    • How has someone in your life, especially someone difficult, helped you grow?
  2. Which resonates more with you right now:
    • The temptation to withdraw, or
    • The temptation to stay surface-level?
  3. Why do you think our culture often chooses avoidance over working through conflict?

Formation & Discipleship

  1. The message said: “Discipleship isn’t formed through convenience, it’s formed through commitment.”

    • Where do you see that playing out in your own life?
  2. How does isolation make us more vulnerable spiritually, emotionally, or relationally?
  3. Which of these do you need most right now?
  • Shared burdens
  • Accountability
  • Encouragement
  • Growth
  • Being known

Looking Ahead – 2026 & Rhythm

  1. When you think about the question:
    “What kind of disciple am I becoming?”

  • What’s your honest answer?
  1. What would it look like for Jesus to be the thread running through your rhythms, relationships, and priorities this year?

Next Step – Practice Belonging

  1. What is one intentional step you can take this week toward deeper belonging?
  • Showing up consistently
  • Being more honest
  • Joining a connect group
  • Inviting someone into your life
  • Staying when it’s uncomfortable
  1. How can this group help you take that step, and stay committed to it?