Table Talk | October 18-19

Kyle Patrick   -   October 19, 2025

Opening Question: Have you ever joined an organization or group where the expectations turned out to be more than you initially thought? Share your experience.

Key Takeaways:

  1. HDC is not an organization asking for more, but a family inviting you into mission.
  2. Belonging to a church family begins with being present.
  3. Belonging includes participation, not just attendance.
  4. Church membership is about partnership and purpose, not privileges.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Pastor Todd mentioned Acts 2:42-47 as a description of the early church. What aspects of their community life stand out to you? How does this compare to our church experience today?

  2. Pastor Todd says, “You can’t experience what you don’t attend and you can’t enjoy connections with other brothers and sisters if you’re not present with them.” Do you agree? How has your level of attendance affected your sense of connection to the church family?

  3. Hebrews 10:19-25 encourages believers to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” What are some practical ways we can do this within our church community?

  4. The sermon contrasts being a “guest” at a hotel versus being a family member at home. How might this analogy apply to church involvement? Where do you see yourself on this spectrum?

  5. What does it mean to you that God has “adopted you to belong” to His family rather than just inviting you to attend?

Practical Applications:

  1. Evaluate your current level of church involvement. Identify one area where you could increase your presence or participation.

  2. If you haven’t already, consider signing up for a Rooted group to deepen your connections within the church family.

  3. Review the membership expectations outlined in the sermon. Reflect on how you’re currently meeting these and where you might need to grow.

  4. Think about someone in the church who you could encourage this week. Make a plan to reach out to them.

  5. If you’re not yet a member, consider attending the next membership class to learn more about partnership with the church.

Closing Prayer:

Thank God for adopting us into His family. Ask for His help in deepening our connections and commitments to one another as we seek to live out our faith in community.