3 Questions to Connect
Introduction
Christmas is a wonderful opportunity to catch up with loved ones, whether you’re recounting old memories or making new ones. Each member of our faith family has a unique story to tell. Here are three questions to connect with your loved ones over God’s faithfulness throughout this year.
- This year, when has the Spirit helped you change your mind?
- What questions do you have for God right now?
- What characteristic of God do you want to grow in during this next year?
This past year, when has the Spirit helped you change your mind?
While some live by the saying “first thought, best thought,” life with God requires reflection. Sometimes the Holy Spirit pings our conscience about a choice we’ve made. Sometimes we return to a familiar passage of Scripture to find we understand a new facet of its meaning. However it happens, having the humility to change our minds is a necessary part of faith.
Paul instructed believers in Rome to “be transformed by the renewal of [their] mind” (Romans 12:2). Rather than living only by the standards and priorities of the larger culture, a faith-led life calls us to God’s ways. That’s a turn-the-other-cheek kind of forgiveness (Matthew 5:39) and a first-must-be-last kind of humility (Matthew 19:30).
For kids
Admitting we’re wrong doesn’t always feel good. However, refusing to change our minds only hurts us twice. Once as we cut ourselves off from the truth, and again as we shut down conversation with others.
Changing our mind can look like apologizing when we hurt others, forgiving others when they hurt us, or even simply choosing to see situations or people the way God sees them. Changing your mind is a skill that takes practice, but it’s worth the effort!
What questions do you have for God right now?
Depending on the season, our questions for God can tell us something about where our heads are at. In difficult times, we might ask “Why?” or “What do I do next?” Before sharing our questions with someone else, we first need to admit our questions to ourselves.
Growing up in church, I quickly learned how to give the “Sunday School answer.” Most times, this answer was Jesus. As I grew, my questions grew with me, and it felt wrong to look for answers to more difficult faith questions. I thought that questioning faith meant defying God, or even stepping outside of God’s love. To steal a phrase from Paul, by no means! Moses questioned his role in saving God’s people—while speaking to a miraculously burning bush (Exodus 3:1-4:17). The prophet Habakkuk asked, “How long”? (1:2). God knows the limits of our understanding, and He wants us to draw close with our questions.
Sharing these questions can open important conversations with loved ones. And, even when we don’t find a neat answer, the time spent wondering together can be an act of worship. As Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20).
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Asking questions is a brave thing to do, especially questions about faith. For many people, trust makes asking questions easier. That means trust that the person will listen carefully, and that they care enough to help, even if they don’t have one final answer.
The good news: God is always trustworthy. We know that He loves us, and He is in control. Because of this, we can always trust God with our questions. While asking doesn’t guarantee easy or immediate answers, wondering about God can bring us closer together. We can trust that our questions will never make God love us any less.
What characteristic of God do you want to grow in during this next year?
Part of life with Christ is constant transformation. Each day, we have the opportunity to, as the old prayer goes, “Know thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, and follow thee more nearly.” However, spiritual growth doesn’t happen by accident. If we value growing in our faith, we need to make sure that priority is reflected in our lives. Are we spending time in God’s Word? Do we make prayer a regular part of our days? Do our actions “bear fruit”?
One of the best ways to be intentional about spiritual growth is to study the source. God has revealed Himself through His Word. He invites us to know Him and imitate Him. We don’t have to do everything at once. Instead, we can start with a single trait of God.
For example, Peacemaker. During your time in God’s Word or in your life, how do you see God making peace? Now, where in your home, workplace, school, and communities do you see an opportunity to embody God’s peace? You may be surprised to see where God makes opportunities to know Him as you practice peacemaking!
For kids
Whenever I’m driving, I’ll go out of my way to avoid making a left turn. That’s a habit I’ve picked up from my dad. And catching myself doing it always makes me feel a little closer to him. Parents often pass on habits to their kids, and the same should be true of our relationship with our God.
Living as part of God’s family, there are certain ways we can become like Him. What are some characteristics of God that you could practice?
(Galatians 5:22-23 gives us good inspiration with the Fruits of the Spirit. These character traits can be a good place to start when we think about making our lives look more like Jesus’.)
Conclusion
Christmas gives us an opportunity to celebrate the miracle of God’s redemptive love in action. We hope these questions can help you open meaningful conversations with loved ones this season.
For more biblical advice on connecting with others, consider joining a small group at The Redeemed. These online groups provide a supportive space to learn and grow alongside other men seeking God. Or, check out The Redeemed Man podcast where guests share inspiring stories of God’s work in their lives.
Connect with The Redeemed Community
If you’re inspired to explore the transformative power of spiritual freedom and would like to journey alongside like-minded believers, consider joining one of The Redeemed’s small groups. Whether you prefer meeting in person or connecting online, our community is here to support and grow with you. Join us and discover how surrendering together can lead us into greater freedom.
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