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A Step-By-step Bible Study on
Belonging ...

This short Bible study uses an everyday word which connects with God's Word in such a way that its lesson stays with us throughout our day. It can be used for personal study or to lead a group of adult or youth.

Have you ever yearned to belong? 


Bible reading plan group

Belonging … it’s something we all seek: to belong, to fit in, to be included. It means we’re not alone; we become part of something bigger than ourselves. It makes us a part of “we” and “us.”

Belonging is one of the many gifts Jesus brings into our lives when we accept Him as our Lord and Savior. We belong. In Him, we find our place, our purpose, our meaning. We find family.


Belonging ...
A Creative Bible Study

Paul explains in Ephesians 2:11-22 how Gentile believers now belonged, and along with Jewish believers, were being “fitted together” into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. This is also true of us. I love how the New International Reader’s Version paraphrases verse 13:



“At one time you were far away from God. But now you belong to Christ Jesus. He spilled His blood for you. This has brought you near to God.”


Take time to slowly write this verse. Underline or circle words or phrases that speak to your heart. Think about each phrase: "At one time," "far away from God," "But now," "you belong," ... keep going!

Listen to the contrast: "At one time you were far away from God," then "This has brought you near to God." What made the difference? Jesus is the hinge point changing the direction of our life and the position of our belonging. He makes it possible for us to draw near to God (James 4:8) and become a part of His family (John 1:1-18).

Read through Ephesians 2 from multiple translations letting this thought of belonging encourage your heart and mind in Christ. When doing Bible study, it is important to read verses within context looking for the who, what and when of what is taking place around the verses.

Paul is speaking to believers in Ephesus. He reminds them they had not always "belonged." Make a list of how Paul describes their (and our) condition before coming to Christ: dead in transgressions and sins, followed the ways of the world, disobedient, etc.

And then ... there is that word again: "but." It notes a change—not because of what we have done, but what God has done. Read verses 4-5 out loud several times emphasizing different words.

Example:

"But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved."

"But because of His great love ..."

"But because of His great love ..."

"But because of His great love ..."

There is something about reading Scripture out loud. We hear the words and are able to place a greater focus on what we are reading.

Read Ephesians 2:19-22 again. Write down the changes Jesus brings into our life and makes us belong.

Finally, make sure you read Ephesians 2:8-10. This is the core of what brings about our "belonging." Belonging is not something we work for; it is bestowed on us by a loving God when we ask and believe.


youth gospel

Bible Study: Making Connections

Now let's take a look at a few more verses as we consider this topic of belonging John 10:14-16, Romans 8:14-17 and Galatians 4:4-7 and find the connections made throughout Scripture.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd."

John 10:14-16 NIV


"For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."

Romans 8:14-17 NIV


"But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir."

Galatians 4:4-7 NIV


Pray

Take time to thank God for this precious gift of belonging, of becoming His child and a part of His family. 


prayer2

Keep Going...

When reading the Bible, let’s start noticing the “we,” the “us.” Luke used these pronouns of belonging when he wrote the Book of Acts showing the times he was with Paul on missionary journeys. Have you ever noticed? 

Go ahead; go on a scavenger hunt reading through the Book of Acts looking for “we” and “us” as they point to Luke’s “belonging.”  Remember, this is a gift God has offered to each of us.

Music is a great worship element to add to your time of Bible study. The rhythm of the music touches something from within and moves our emotions. The lyrics further the message of what we've read in Bible study. A great song for the topic of belonging is:

🎶 “My Place in this World” by Michael W. Smith.



Lead

Bible study is not something we "do" and then walk away. God's Word is living and active according to Hebrews 4:12. It is meant to change us and also those around us.

Children's picture books can become tools for this mission, and they speak to children of any age, even adults and teens! Stories stick with us and the illustrations can further our thinking on the topic.

A great children’s book about “belonging” is: Eyes that Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho and illustrated by Dong Ho. Take a look at this book lesson for kids on "belonging."



© Copyright 2026 Susan Ball Smart



Creative Bible Study: A Collection of Words

"Belonging" is just one of the 123 word Bible studies in which I've connected to God's Word in our everyday life in my book:

Creative Bible Study Book for Adults

Creative Bible Study: A Collection of Words —

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