Warm-Up Question
If you watched this week’s online service, what stood out to you? (Perhaps those who watched the sermon can try to recap for those who missed it.)
Main Thought
Whenever we enter into any kind of partnership, we need to make sure that it’s with the right person. It doesn’t matter if it’s a business relationship, a friendship, or a romantic relationship. God wants us to be with the right people! But God wants us to be the right people before we start looking for the right person or people to partner with. God prepares us to “be the right person” in any relationship by establishing a few key things. “Before the relationship,” God:
God desires to give you a “place.”
God desires to give you a purpose.
God’s purpose will lead to provision.
God wants to define your identity.
God desires to give you parameters.
Main Passages
8 The Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he placed the man he had formed. 9 The Lord God caused to grow out of the ground every tree pleasing in appearance and good for food, including the tree of life in the middle of the garden, as well as the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
- Genesis 2:8-9
15 The Lord God took the man and placed him in the garden of Eden to work it and watch over it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree of the garden, 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for on the day you eat from it, you will certainly die.” 18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper corresponding to him.”
- Genesis 2:15-18
Discussion Questions
Think about the five things God wants to do in us “before the relationship” in order to prepare us. Which is most relevant for you?
What changes can you make in order to participate with God’s process of preparation in your life?
Family Questions
Have you ever partnered with someone for things like school or sports? What makes a good partner?