The quality of our life is determined by the quality of our relationships.

9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

Myth: I can succeed on my own.

1. Better together means we can help one another succeed.

38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”

39 Then Jesus gave the following illustration: “Can one blind person lead another? Won’t they both fall into a ditch? 40 Students are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher.

Myth: If I fall, I can help myself get back up.

2. Better together means we can extend a hand to one another.

37 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.

Myth: I can keep myself warm with my own snuggie.

3. Better together means we can “warm” one another.

41 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? 42 How can you think of saying, ‘Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.

Myth: I can defend myself.

4. Better together means we can protect one another.

19 He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

20 After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.

21 “But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me.

Have each person share a high and low from this past week.

We are created to grow in our relationship with God through connected relationships with others. The quality of our life is determined by the quality of our relationships.

Where do you most love to gather with others? (sporting events, movies, coffee shops...)

Choose one or two questions for your group to discuss as time allows.

⊲ When have you experienced a “Better Together” moment?

⊲ Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12.

- Traditionally this passage has been referred to regarding marriage, how could it be more?

- Is the third strand reference about God alone, or could it mean “strength in numbers”?

⊲ How are circles just as important as rows? (How is application just as important as information?)

⊲ Which of the 4 myths would you most likely mistake for a truth?

Spend 1-2 minutes in silence with these questions then share your thoughts.

Who do you do life with?

Who are you investing in and who is investing in you?

Close in prayer for our group sign-ups for this fall season.