Intimacy
loneliness is not just a covid problem, its a modern problem. we were designed to be together. in the beginning, we were created in the image of a triune god, a divine community of persons. in john 17, jesus prayed that we "may be one as we are one". think about that! The desire of god is that we might enjoy the unity experienced by the father, son and holy spirit. incredible!
it should come as no surprise that since humans were designed to be in community, loneliness is damaging. In fact, loneliness is as damaging to the body as smoking a pack of cigarettes every day. our minds, spirits and bodies were not intended to be self-sufficient, isolated or lonely.
interestingly, it's not enough to desire community. if you're american, you were born and raised in the most individualistic culture of all time! in order to make progress, we need to work at it. intimacy won't feel normal.
the rapid infection of pornography and sexualization has added yet another layer to the loneliness problem. in our culture, 'intimacy' is commonly thought of as synonymous with sex. as a small group leader, it's important to keep this bent in mind. your desire and effort to develop intimacy in the healthy relationships of your group may be interpreted through over-sexualized eyes and ears. intimacy is much more than just sex.
intimacy refers to the depth of relationship. we all have acquaintances, those people who we know as the friend of a friend, the person behind the counter, the guy on the phone, the mechanic. while these relationships may have a level of health, they are not fully utilizing the potential of healthy relationship. intimacy is about removing the barriers, increasing the connection and growing the potency of the relationship.
it should come as no surprise that since humans were designed to be in community, loneliness is damaging. In fact, loneliness is as damaging to the body as smoking a pack of cigarettes every day. our minds, spirits and bodies were not intended to be self-sufficient, isolated or lonely.
interestingly, it's not enough to desire community. if you're american, you were born and raised in the most individualistic culture of all time! in order to make progress, we need to work at it. intimacy won't feel normal.
the rapid infection of pornography and sexualization has added yet another layer to the loneliness problem. in our culture, 'intimacy' is commonly thought of as synonymous with sex. as a small group leader, it's important to keep this bent in mind. your desire and effort to develop intimacy in the healthy relationships of your group may be interpreted through over-sexualized eyes and ears. intimacy is much more than just sex.
intimacy refers to the depth of relationship. we all have acquaintances, those people who we know as the friend of a friend, the person behind the counter, the guy on the phone, the mechanic. while these relationships may have a level of health, they are not fully utilizing the potential of healthy relationship. intimacy is about removing the barriers, increasing the connection and growing the potency of the relationship.
