Lesson 5: How to Stay Connected to Grace
The Daily Rhythms That Keep Supply Flowing
THE BIG IDEA
Here’s what most new Christians miss: Jesus didn’t just save you once and then leave you to figure everything out on your own. No. He saved you, and now He wants to supply you – every single day, with everything you need.
But here’s the catch: You have to stay connected.
Think of it like your phone and a charger. Your phone has power when it’s plugged in. Unplug it, and eventually the battery dies. You don’t question whether electricity exists. You know it’s there. The problem isn’t the power source – the problem is the connection.
Same with God’s grace. Grace is always flowing. God never turns it off. When you’re not experiencing peace, strength, joy, or provision, it’s not because God stopped giving. It’s because something broke your connection.
Good news: You can reconnect. And I’m going to show you exactly how.
WHAT DOES “CONNECTION” ACTUALLY MEAN?
Let’s get really practical here. When I say “stay connected to Jesus,” what does that actually look like?
Connection means this: You come to Jesus through prayer, praise, or worship, and you FEEL Him close again.“Sometimes you’ll feel His presence strongly, and other times you won’t, but He’s always there. Faith means trusting that truth. The promise of His nearness is stronger and more reliable than any feeling.”
That’s it. It’s not complicated.
When you mess up and feel distant from God, you’re disconnected. When you’re anxious and stressed, you’re disconnected. When you’re trying to do everything in your own strength, you’re disconnected.
But the moment you stop, turn your attention to Jesus, and reach out to Him – through a simple prayer, through worship music, through reading His Word and talking to Him – something shifts. You sense His presence. You feel peace return. That closeness comes back.
It’s not about saying the perfect prayer or spending three hours in worship. Sometimes it takes thirty seconds. You just acknowledge Him, reach toward Him, invite Him in – and boom, you feel Him close. That awareness of His presence, that sense of “He’s with me” – that’s when you know you’re connected.
And as soon as you’re connected, grace flows.
THE VINE AND THE BRANCH
Jesus gave us a perfect picture of how this works in John 15. Listen to what He says:
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (John 15:5-8, NIV)
Here’s the picture:
Jesus is the vine – He’s the source of everything you need You are the branch – You’re designed to receive from HimGrace is the sap – It flows from Him into you when you’re connected Fruit is the result – Love, peace, joy, patience, strength – all of it grows naturally when grace is flowing
Now watch this: A branch doesn’t CREATE fruit. A branch RECEIVES sap, and the sap produces fruit automatically.
Think about a real tree branch. Does the branch strain and stress trying to produce apples? Does it work harder, push more, try to manufacture fruit through sheer effort? No. The branch just stays connected to the tree. Sap flows from the trunk into the branch. And fruit appears naturally.
The branch has one job: Stay attached.
That’s your job too. You don’t manufacture peace – you receive it. You don’t work up joy – it flows in. You don’t try harder to be patient – patience grows when you’re connected to the source.
Your job is simple: Stay connected. Keep grace flowing. The fruit happens naturally.
THE GARDEN HOSE PICTURE
Here’s another way to see it. Imagine a garden hose connected to a water faucet. On one end, you’ve got unlimited water – the faucet never runs dry. On the other end, your garden desperately needs water – plants are thirsty, everything needs water to live and grow.
But if the hose is kinked, twisted, or clogged with dirt, water doesn’t flow. The source hasn’t changed. The faucet is still on. The water pressure is still strong. But your garden isn’t getting any water because something is blocking the hose.
That’s exactly what happens with God’s grace in your life:
- God is the faucet = Unlimited supply, always on, never runs dry
- Grace is the water = God’s love, strength, peace, provision flowing to you
- You are the garden = You need this constant flow to stay healthy and grow
- The hose is your connection = This is what can get blocked
When you feel spiritually dry, anxious, guilty, or distant from God, the problem is NOT that God turned off the faucet.The problem may be that something is blocking your hose.
Good news: You can unblock it.
FIVE THINGS THAT BLOCK THE CONNECTION
Just like a hose can get kinked and stop water flow, certain things can block your connection to Jesus. Let me show you the five most common blockages – and how to clear them.
1. UNCONFESSED SIN
When you mess up and don’t bring it to Jesus, guilt builds a wall between you and Him. Not because God moves away – He doesn’t. But because YOU feel too ashamed to connect.
The Bible is clear about the solution:
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, NIV)
How to clear it: Confess immediately. Don’t wait hours or days. The moment you sin, say: “Jesus, I messed up. I confess this. I receive your forgiveness right now. Thank you that your blood covers this. I’m righteous because of you, not because of my performance.”
Do this in sixty seconds. Clear the blockage instantly. Then feel Him close again. That’s connection restored.
2. UNFORGIVENESS
When you hold grudges, bitterness, or resentment toward someone who hurt you, it clogs the pipeline. Jesus was serious about this:
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15, NIV)
Unforgiveness blocks grace flow.
How to clear it: Make a decision to forgive – even if you don’t feel like it yet. Say: “Jesus, I choose to forgive [person’s name]. I release them. I let this go. I’m not holding this against them anymore.”
This isn’t about feeling warm and fuzzy toward them. It’s about releasing them so grace can flow to YOU again. Forgiveness is for your benefit, not just theirs.
3. WORRY AND ANXIETY
When you’re consumed with fear about the future, you’re disconnected from the present moment where Jesus is. Anxiety pulls you away from His presence.
Here’s what God says about this:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV)
How to clear it: Stop. Pray. Give Him your worries out loud. Thank Him that He’s got this. Be specific – tell Him exactly what you’re anxious about.
Then feel His peace return. That’s the connection coming back.
When you sense that supernatural peace that doesn’t even make logical sense given your circumstances – that’s God’s grace flowing again.
4. SELF-RELIANCE
This is sneaky. You start depending on your own wisdom, your own effort, your own plans – and you forget to include Jesus. You’re “doing life” without Him.
The Bible warns us about this:
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV)
How to clear it: Acknowledge your need. Say: “Jesus, I can’t do this without you. I need your wisdom. I need your strength. I’m leaning on you right now.”
Feel Him step in. That’s reconnection.
Jesus Himself said: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5, NIV)
Apart from Him, you can do NOTHING. That’s not discouraging – that’s freeing. You don’t have to figure everything out. You just have to stay connected.
5. NEGLECTING HIS PRESENCE
You can get so busy – even doing good things – that you just forget to connect with Him. Days go by. You’re running on empty and don’t even realize it.
Listen to Jesus’ invitation:
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (Revelation 3:20, NIV)
He’s always there. You just need to open the door.
How to clear it: Just stop and acknowledge Him. Say: “Jesus, I’m here. I need you. Come close.”
The moment you sense His presence, you’re connected again.
FIVE DAILY PRACTICES TO STAY CONNECTED
Now let me give you five practical habits that will keep your connection strong and grace flowing consistently.
1. MORNING CONNECTION – Receive Before You Give
Before your day starts, spend five minutes connecting to Jesus. Pray. Worship. Read a verse. The key is this: Feel Him close before you do anything else.
Say: “Jesus, I’m plugged into you today. Grace is flowing. I receive your peace, your wisdom, your strength. Today I work FROM your supply, not FOR it.”
This sets your whole day in the right direction. You’re starting from connection, not trying to earn it later.
2. INSTANT CONFESSION – Clear It Fast
When you sin, don’t let guilt sit there for hours. Confess immediately. Sixty seconds. Clear the blockage. Restore connection. Move forward.
Remember: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, NIV)
The faster you confess, the faster you reconnect, the faster grace flows again.
3. DAILY FORGIVENESS – Let It Go
If someone hurt you today, release them before bed. Don’t take unforgiveness into tomorrow. Forgive them. Let it go. Keep the pipeline clear.
This is a daily discipline. You’re not waiting until you “feel like forgiving.” You’re choosing to forgive so YOU can stay free and connected to God’s grace.
4. TRUTH DECLARATIONS – Speak What’s Real
Declare your identity out loud every day: “I am righteous. I am loved. I am connected to Jesus. Grace is flowing into my life right now.”
Why speak it out loud? Because your ears need to hear it. Your mind needs to be renewed. Romans 12:2 says: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (NIV)
Speaking truth rewires your thinking and keeps you aware of your connection.
5. EVENING GRATITUDE – End with Thanks
Before sleep, thank God for three specific things. Gratitude reconnects your heart to His goodness and keeps you aware of His presence.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV)
Gratitude shifts your focus from what’s lacking to what’s flowing. It reminds you that grace has been working all day.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Your Christian life is not about working harder. It’s about staying connected.
When you’re connected to Jesus – when you feel Him close, when His presence is real to you – grace flows automatically.Peace comes. Strength returns. Wisdom appears. Provision shows up. Fruit grows.
Your job is simple: Stay attached to the vine.
When you drift, reconnect. When you mess up, confess and feel Him close again. When anxiety hits, pray and sense His peace return. When you’re overwhelmed, acknowledge your need and lean on His strength.
Connection is not complicated. It’s simply coming to Jesus until you feel Him with you again. And when you feel His presence, grace is flowing.
Jesus said it perfectly: “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” (John 15:4, NIV)
Remain. Stay. Abide. Connect.
That’s the key to everything.
THIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE:
Practice instant reconnection. Every time you feel disconnected this week – whether from sin, worry, or just busyness – stop immediately. Pray. Worship. Read a verse. Do whatever it takes until you sense Jesus close again.
Time yourself. See how fast you can reconnect. Sometimes it takes thirty seconds. Sometimes three minutes or 30 minutes. But don’t move forward until you sense His presence.
When you feel His presence, you’re connected. And when you’re connected, grace flows.
That’s the secret to the abundant Christian life.
CONCLUSION: YOU’RE JUST GETTING STARTED
If you’ve read this far, something remarkable has happened in your life. You’ve begun a journey with Jesus that will never end. You’ve discovered your new identity, learned about God’s grace, experienced His presence, and found out how to stay connected to the vine.
But here’s the beautiful truth: This isn’t the end. This is just the beginning.
Everything you’ve learned in this book – your righteousness, grace, staying connected to Jesus – these aren’t concepts to master and move past. They’re realities you’ll continue to discover more deeply for the rest of your life.
Think about it: You could spend your whole life exploring the depths of God’s grace and never reach the bottom. You could pursue closeness with Jesus every single day and still discover new dimensions of His love. You could walk in the Spirit’s power for decades and continue to be amazed by what He does through you.
The Christian life isn’t about arriving. It’s about growing.
And the best news? You don’t grow alone.
YOU WERE MADE FOR COMMUNITY
God never intended for you to walk this journey by yourself. From the very beginning, He designed His family – the church – to be a place where people grow together, encourage each other, challenge one another, and experience His presence collectively.
The Bible says it clearly: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.” (Hebrews 10:24-25, NIV)
You need other believers. Not because you’re weak, but because God designed it that way. We’re better together.
Think about a fire. A single coal by itself will eventually go cold. But put that coal with other burning coals, and the fire stays hot. That’s what happens when Christians do life together – we keep each other burning bright for Jesus.
THE POWER OF SHARING YOUR STORY
One of the most powerful things you can do as a new follower of Jesus is share your story with others. When you talk about what Jesus has done in your life – how He saved you, changed you, gave you peace, answered those big questions – something incredible happens.
First, your own faith gets stronger. Every time you talk about what Jesus means to you, you’re reminding yourself of His goodness and His power in your life.
Second, others are encouraged. Your story might be exactly what someone else needs to hear. They might be wondering if Jesus is real, if He really changes people, if faith actually makes a difference. Your story answers those questions.
Third, you honor Jesus. When you tell others what He’s done for you, you’re giving Him the glory He deserves.
Don’t think your story isn’t important enough or dramatic enough. Every person who comes to Jesus has a testimony worth sharing. Whether your life was radically transformed overnight or you experienced a quiet but deep change in your heart, your story matters.
“They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” (Revelation 12:11, NIV)
Your testimony has power. Start using it.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
You’ve got a solid foundation now. You understand who you are in Christ, how grace works, and how to stay connected to Jesus. But the journey doesn’t stop here. In fact, it’s just beginning.
Here’s what we want you to know: You don’t have to figure out the next steps alone.
The church exists to help you grow, to walk alongside you, to provide support and guidance as you learn what it means to follow Jesus daily. And we’ve created some specific opportunities designed just for people like you – people who are new to faith or new to this church family.
These aren’t obligations. They’re invitations. They’re doorways into deeper community, stronger faith, and practical next steps in your journey with Jesus.
YOUR NEXT STEPS
If you’re serious about growing in your faith – and we believe you are, or you wouldn’t have read this whole book – here are three simple but powerful next steps we encourage you to take:
STEP 1: JOIN A RISE GROUP
What is a Rise Group? A Rise Group is a small gathering of people who meet regularly to go deeper into God’s Word, pray together, and support each other in everyday life. It’s where you’ll make real friendships with other believers and find people who will encourage you when life gets hard.
Why you need this: Everything you’ve learned in this book becomes real when you process it with others. In a Rise Group, you’ll:
- Study the Bible together and discover truths you’d miss on your own
- Share your struggles and victories in a safe, supportive environment
- Build friendships that go beyond Sunday mornings
- Find accountability to help you stay connected to Jesus
Rise Groups meet at different times and locations throughout the week, so you can find one that fits your schedule. Some meet in homes, some at coffee shops, some at the church. Some are for everyone, others are specifically for men, women, couples, or particular age groups.
The reality is this: You will grow faster and stronger in your faith when you’re in consistent community with other believers.
- Pray with people who genuinely care about what you’re going through
Don’t try to do this Christian life alone. Join a Rise Group.
STEP 2: JOIN A CONNECT GROUP
What is a Connect Group? A Connect Group is your entry point into serving and belonging at the church. It’s a larger gathering where you’ll meet other people who are finding their place in the church family, discover opportunities to serve, and learn more about what our church believes and how we operate.
Why you need this: Being a Christian isn’t just about what you believe – it’s about becoming part of a family and contributing to what God is doing. In a Connect Group, you’ll:
- Learn about the church’s vision, values, and mission
- Discover your gifts and how you can use them to serve others
- Meet leaders and staff members who can help guide your journey
- Find out about serving opportunities that match your interests and talents
- Connect with other new members who are at the same stage of faith as you
Jesus didn’t just save you and then leave you on your own. He brought you into a family. Connect Groups help you find your place in that family and start making a meaningful contribution.
When you serve others using the gifts God gave you, your faith comes alive in a whole new way.
Join a Connect Group and discover where you fit.
STEP 3: CONSIDER AN AGE-RELATED OR AFFINITY GROUP
What are these groups? We recognize that people in different life stages face different challenges and questions. That’s why we have groups specifically designed for:
- Youth – Middle school and high school students navigating faith, friendships, and identity
- Young Adults – College-age and twentysomethings figuring out life, career, and relationships
- Men’s Groups – Where men can be real about struggles, build brotherhood, and grow as leaders
- Women’s Groups – Where women find sisterhood, encouragement, and support through all seasons of life
- And more – Groups for couples, parents, empty nesters, singles, and other life stages
Why you should consider this: While Rise Groups and Connect Groups are essential, there’s something powerful about connecting with people who are in the same season of life as you. They get your struggles. They face similar challenges. They ask the same questions.
In these groups, you’ll find:
- People who understand exactly what you’re going through
- Biblical wisdom applied to your specific life stage
- Friendships with people who share your experiences
- Mentors who’ve walked the path ahead of you
- A place where you can be completely real and honest
You don’t have to join all of these groups at once. But we encourage you to explore what’s available and see where you might connect.
God often does His best work in our lives through the people He puts around us.
THE INVITATION
These aren’t just programs or activities to fill your schedule. These are opportunities to grow, to belong, to serve, and to experience the fullness of life with Jesus in community with His people.
Jesus didn’t call you to a religion. He called you to a relationship – with Him and with His family.
So here’s our invitation: Take the next step.
Don’t wait until you feel “ready” or “spiritual enough.” You’re ready right now. Jump in. Show up. Connect. Serve. Grow.
The people in these groups aren’t perfect Christians who have it all figured out. They’re people just like you – followers of Jesus who are learning, growing, and discovering what it means to live connected to the vine.
You belong here. There’s a place for you. We’re waiting to welcome you.
HOW TO GET STARTED
For Rise Groups: Visit our website at futures.church and choose your campus. Another option is download the church center app, choose your church and campus location and you will access to all the things your community are doing.
For Connect Groups: Again you will find these in the Church Center App which is your access to everything.
For Age-Related and Affinity Groups: Church Center App is find all the details or the web site.
ONE FINAL WORD
You’ve made the most important decision of your life by choosing to follow Jesus. You’ve discovered who you are in Him, how grace works, and how to stay connected to the source of everything you need.
Now it’s time to live it out – not alone, but together with the family God has given you.
The Christian life is an adventure. There will be challenges, victories, questions, breakthroughs, struggles, and celebrations. But through it all, you’ll have Jesus with you. And you’ll have His people beside you.
We’re honored to walk this journey with you.
Welcome to the family.
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.”(Ephesians 3:20-21, NLT)
YOUR ACTION PLAN
Before you finish reading these lessons, make these three commitments and write down when you will complete them.
1. I will join a Rise Group within the next two weeks.
- Date I will connect: _______________
2. I will attend the next Connect Group session.
- Date of next session: _______________
3. I will explore one age-related or affinity group that fits my life.
- Group I’m interested in: _______________
Don’t just read these commitments. Write them down. Set reminders. Tell someone you’re going to do it. The next step in your faith journey starts with taking action.
Jesus is with you. His people are here for you. His grace is flowing to you.
Now go live the abundant life He promised.
You’re just getting started.