How Did Jesus Connect?

Over the next few days, we’re going to look at recentering our lives in relationships.

From the beginning of time, God created us for relationship—and He modeled it for us long before Jesus walked the earth. In the very first chapter of the Bible we read:

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. ... God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. … Genesis 1:26-27, 31 NIV

God uses phrases like “Let us” and “our image” during the creation story to model how He’s a relational God, three in one: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We use the term “trinity” to describe this characteristic of God.

So He didn’t design us to live life alone, but to thrive in connection with others. We need other people for encouragement, accountability, and care—and others need us, too.

We are designed to be in community with others because God is relational. He created us to be with Him. That’s one reason Jesus came to earth, shared meals, had deep conversations, and walked alongside people in their everyday lives. He valued relationships. And we thrive when we follow His lead.

How does this relate to our technology habits? Technology isn’t the enemy of relationships. Rather, it gives us easier access to tools that can either help or hurt our connection with others. So let’s look into ways we can prioritize relationships and leverage technology for deeper connections.

Journal and Reflect

• How do you see technology influencing the ways you relate to and engage with others?
• When you think about your most important relationships, how does connecting face to face feel different than connecting through technology?

Pray

Lord, thank You for this time today to slow down and connect with You. Please help me use technology for good and to connect with those around me. I want to love everyone well. Thank You for being a relational God. I love You. In Jesus’ name, amen.