07.29.07
Small Group Plan - July 29, 2007
“From Many To One”
Small Group Plan
July 29, 2007
Dear Group Leader…
Jesus prayed “that all of them may be one … so that the world may believe” (John 17:20-21). Here is His stated purpose for our unity. Getting along with each other touches a much larger audience than ourselves. Preserving unity, sacrificing for unity is the doorway to evangelism! It touches those outside. And, according to Jesus, the rigidity of disunity kills evangelism.
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· How do you feel about the viewpoint that says, “To have unity we must all be uniform”?
· Why do leadership studies say that consensus decision-making is really “minority rule”?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
Unity Is Not An Option – Ephesians 4:1-3
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
· Why does Jesus give His last teaching moments with the disciples (Jn 17) to unity? Why did they need it?
· In the same way, why does Paul give so much of his letter to unity? Why did the first Christians need a heavy dose?
· Which takes more work, unity or separation? Explain.
· Why is unity more fulfilling?
· How do “humility” “gentleness” “patience” and “love” (vs. 2) help protect unity?
· Why do some Christians “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit” (Vs. 3), which others do not?
Unity is Defined by Diversity –Ephesians 4:4-10
4 There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.” 9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)
· How would you describe the power of diversity?
· Why are some Christians afraid of it?
· How can Paul so easily talk about unity (“one”) in verses 5-6 and diversity (”gifts”) in verses 6-7?
· How did “He who descended … ascended” (Jesus) manage such a diverse group as the Twelve?
The Goal of unity is maturity –Ephesians 4:14-16
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
· What “work of service” do you think is most needed?
· How does spiritual infancy differ from spiritual maturity?
· What does Christian maturity look like?
· How would God’s view of maturity differ from our culture’s view?
· What “waves” and “wind” are tossing Christians around today?
· What does love without truth sound like?
· What does truth without love feel like?
· What does “speaking the truth in love” mean?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· What can we do to better protect our congregational diversity?
· List the areas in our church where you think diversity should be more clearly seen. Explain your reasons.
Close by praying for hearts that will truly make every effort to encourage diversity and protect unity.