Download PDF
Connect
Share about a difficult relationship you had with someone which later became a very good relationship.
Cultivate
Summary: Though believers in Christ have differing perspectives, values, gifts, passions, and personalities; God has called us to be unified in the faith.
Read Ephesians 4:1-16 and ask the following questions:
- What do you like about this passage?
- What do you find uncomfortable or difficult to understand in this passage?
- What appears to be the main idea emphasized in this passage? (Look for repeated words or ideas.)
Consider how the following passages increase our understanding of this topic:
- Read John 17:20-23 (Jesus speaking).
- In your own words, describe Jesus’ desire for oneness and unity among believers.
- How might our pursuit of unity benefit our relationships with everyone in the Body of Christ?
- How does unity in the Body of Christ influence those who don’t know God?
- Read James 2:1-10.
- In your own words, describe the radical nature of God’s call for believers in Christ to be unified.
- Who are the Christians you find easy to look down on or look up to?
- In regards to unity, what reputation do Christians have in our community?
4. What are the beliefs and values promoted in these passages?
5. What do they reveal about our human condition and God’s response?
6. How are these beliefs and values similar or different from those that have influenced you? (such as your family, culture, peers, church, etc.)
7. How might our faith increase and our lives change as we embrace what is true and important?
8. In light of what we’ve discussed, how can we pray for each other right now?
Care
Since we last met, what happened as a result of expressing Christ’s love to others?
How can you, or we, express Christ’s love to others this week?
Here are a few ideas:
- Pray God would meet their deepest needs.
- Help meet a felt need they have.
- Encourage them with a text, note or verbally.
- Give them a thoughtful gift or buy them coffee.
- Invite them to do something fun or meaningful.
- Listen to their story.
- Explore their thoughts on the gospel.
.png)