Pastor Matt talked about how there are five qualities the make up the Body of Christ: humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance, and love. If we put these into action, we can experience a sense of unity with other believers that defies normal expectations, and makes that unity in Christ obvious and self-evident.
MY STORY | Starting Place
Describe a time in your life where you experienced a satisfying resolution to an ongoing conflict with someone.
DIGGING DEEPER | Practical Biblical Application
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
(Ephesians 4:1-3)
What are the five characteristics Paul says make up the Body of Christ? Which of these are the easiest for you to put into practice? Which one is the hardest? Explain.
Paul says the result of the presence of these traits is a sense of unity in the Body of Christ.
How can you best maintain a sense of unity with believers with whom you disagree (without just giving in, or bulldozing your way through)?
GROWING TOGETHER | Spiritual Friendship
There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call — one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:4-6)
How many times does the word “one” appear in Ephesians 4:4-6? Why do you think Paul uses this word over and over again here?
What are the pastoral (not doctrinal) “essentials” that all Christians should agree on?
How can these agreements cushion our tensions with other believers (so that we’re better able to find win-win solutions in our conflicts)?
MOVING OUTWARD | Faith in Action
Initiate a challenging conversation this week about an ongoing conflict that has been left unaddressed.
Start with the words, “When you said (or did) [fill-in-the-blank], it made an impact on me. Can you give me your perspective of what happened?”
Message Notes
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