1. In his sermon, Tim shared a slide of 3 concentric circles that represented our sphere’s of relationship in life:

- inner circle = Intimate (family/friends)
- middle ring = Social (village/neighborhood)
- outer ring = Public (tribe/affinity based)

He then shared that, though smart phones have helped people connect more with the inner & outer circles in their life, they’ve had a “decimating [impact on] our village relationships, eroding the competencies we need to hold our communities together.”

What do you see in the world around you that seems like evidence of this degradation of skills? What dying/lost skills & competencies do you feel most aware of? What kinds of situations have made you aware of that gap?

What do you see in yourself & your own personal interactions in the world that might be evidence of this skill erosion? What dynamics or situations in your life are impacted by skill gaps or weakened social muscles that you can identify in yourself?

In what ways might you grow or strengthen those skills? Does it seem worthwhile to try? Why or why not?

2. Tim talked about Nicholas Epley’s research and the ways in which it shows that we think we want to be alone, but that we actually feel better when we connect with other people.

How much do you think these findings describe you?

In your life (prior to today), what are some reasons you might choose to do something on your own over something social, when given the choice? What are some reasons you might choose something social? What impact might learning what you did in this sermon have on your choices in the future?

Tim also talked about the systemic changes and structures that have fueled and compounded these changes in our society. He talked about things like the decline in public & municipal investment into public spaces, and the impact of housing laws that make communal & community living less and less possible. What does reflecting on these realities prompt within you? What thoughts, feelings, questions, or desires rise to the surface?

3. While admitting that there’s no clear solution that could fix these larger systemic issues, Tim also reminded us of the community-oriented Christian practices that emulate the practices Jesus left his followers:

Sabbath keeping
Weekly worship
Community
Peacemaking
Solidarity with outcasts

Which of these practices feel like important parts of your own life’s rhythms? In what ways has practicing one or more of these things impacted you?

Are there any of these practices that you’d like to integrate more into your life? What barriers do you (or might you) encounter when trying to practice these things? In what ways might you creatively engage with those barriers in order to shift them?

4. Bonus Question!

Tim described a study in which the researcher (Epley?) had people sit with a stranger and answer four questions for each other. If you’re up for it, consider answering any or all of these questions with your whole group, an individual person in your group, or with someone else in your life. Pay attention to how you feel after doing so.

- If we’re gonna be friends, what would be important for me to know about you?

- What are you most anxious about in your life

- Do you have crystal ball to tell your future, what would you want to know?

- Can you tell me about the last time (or a time) that you cried in front of another person?