Three Essential Questions
After watching the message take some time reflect on the following three questions.
- What did you hear? What point in this message was most impactful for you?
- What do you think? How did this message challenge, change, or affirm your thinking?
- What will you do? How will you put into practice what you've learned today?
THE BIBLE: WHY UNITY IN CHRIST'S CHURCH IS SO IMPORTANT
- My unity with other believers is the proof that I'm saved.
- The Trinity is our model for unity.
- Jesus' last prayer was that members of his church would live in unity.
- God gives us his glory so we'll be united.
- Our unity is our greatest witness to unbelievers.
- Unity removes fear and creates boldness.
- When a church is truly unified, everybody's needs are met.
- Baptism and communion are visible signs of unity.
- Focusing on our common purpose creates unity.
- Unity begins when we realize we're incomplete without each other.
- Jesus died to unite us, not divide us.
- Jesus expects me to work hard at unifying Christians.
HOW CAN I BE AN AGENT OF UNITY IN MY CHURCH?
1. FOCUS ON WHAT WE SHARE, NOT OUR DIFFERENCES
"Let us concentrate on the things which create harmony and the growth of our fellowshiptogether." Rom. 14:19 (Ph)
"There is only one Body and one Spirit, and we have been called to one hope. There is only one Lord,one faith, one baptism, and only one God, who is the Father of us all, who is over all, is through all and is in all." Eph. 4:4-6
"Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don't see things the way you do. And don't jump all over them every time they do or say something you don't agree with . . .They have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently." Rom. 14:1 (MES)
"Let there be real harmony so there are no divisions in the church. I plead with you to be of one mind, UNITED in thought and purpose." 1 Cor. 1:10b (LB)
Action Plan: With your family and/or friends, maybe during dinner, have each person share 1 thing they share (have in common) with someone else around the table. Go around until everyone shares 3 things.
2. REALIZE I MUST CONTINUALLY WORK AT UNITY
"MAKE EVERY EFFORT to keep the unity of the Spirit. Bind yourselves together by living in peace with each other." Eph. 4:3
- DON'T BRING WORLDLY VALUES INTO THE CHURCH
"You're acting (in the church) the same way unbelievers act in the world! The proof of your immaturity is your arguing and quarreling and the divisions you've created. That proves you still belong to the world and are living by worldly values! When one of you says, 'I support Paul,' and another says, 'I support Apollos,' you're acting like unbelievers, not like Christ. Is Apollos important? No! Is Paul important? No!" 1 Cor 3:3-5a
- DON'T GET SUCKED INTO THE WORLD'S FIGHTS
"Jesus said, 'My kingdom is NOT of this world. If it were, my servants would fight . . .'" John 18:36a (NIV)
"Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. The Lord's servant must never quarrel; instead, you must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and patient with everyone. You must be humble, gently teaching those who oppose the truth." 2 Tim 2:23-25
Action Plan: Are you in conflict with someone? Take a moment and reflect on what the conflict is about, what are your personal issues. Are your issues real or are you just finding how you are different? Now write down how you are similar. Speak with that person and focus on how are you are similar, not how you may be different.
3.BE REALISTIC IN MY EXPECTATIONS
"Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love." Eph 4:2b (NLT)
"Most of all, let love guide your life, for THEN the whole church will stay together inperfect harmony." Col. 3:14 (LB)
"Love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything." 1 Peter 4:8 (MES)
4. OFFER ENCOURAGEMENT INSTEAD OF CRITICISM
"Let's use ALL our energy in getting along with each other. Help each otherby using encouraging words; Don't drag others down by finding fault." Rom. 14:19-20a (MES)
"A wise, mature person is known for his understanding. The more pleasant his words, the more persuasive he is." Prov. 16:21 (TEV)
"You've been called to live in freedom — not freedom to indulge your selfish nature, but freedom to serve each other in love. God's entire law is summed up in 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' But you keep biting and devouring each other and tearing eachother apart, you will be destroyed by each other." Gal. 5:13-15
Action Plan: This week, reflect on a moment that you had an opportunity to offer encouragement but instead chose criticism. Ask God to show you how you could have taken that moment and used encouraging words. If possible, you may want to speak with that person again and encourage them.
Weekly Action Steps
We recommit our lives to Jesus Christ. Text NEWSTART (1 word) to 99000 or email newstart@saddleback.com
We express our gratitude to God for his goodness by giving back to him. Your generosity online is feeding tens of thousands of out-of-work families and serving many other needs. Give at Saddleback.com/give
We meet in small groups online to discuss what we've heard. To join a group, text SMALLGROUP to 99000 or email SMALLGROUP@saddleback.com.
Listen to our new Doable Discipleship podcast season, "Politics and the Church" at Saddleback.com/learn
