Group Resource
Let’s Talk Notes – Week of May 11, 2015
Message: Unity through Agreement - Part III
Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16; John 13:35
1) The sermon reminded us that the gospel is ultimately expressed in community. What is community and how are you called to be a part of a gospel community? How does isolation and lack of community hinder the body of Christ from growing and being healthy? Give some practical ways that the church can be a community.
2) Pastor Joseph identified 3 confessions of faith that every believer needs to make in order to walk in agreement with one another:
- God has gifted ME with a responsibility in the body of Christ that others need.
- God has gifted OTHERS in the body of Christ with things that I need.
- God brings these giftings together to make the church healthy, growing and full of love.
Have you wrestled with the magnitude of any of these confessions? Share a gifting that you have identified in yourself and a gifting that you have identified in one other individual in your real.life group.
3) What does it mean to be a church that accepts one another? Pastor Joseph stated that acceptance means that “we welcome one another in the body of Christ no matter what stage that one might be at in their walk with Christ” Read James 2:2-9. How was the church unaccepting of the poor man? What can you personally do to help the church excel at accepting one another.
4) Read Galatians 5:13-15. What does it mean to use our freedom to serve one another in love? How well do you pay attention to the needs of others? If serving is simply meeting a need, what are some needs that are in the church, your community, your neighborhood, your family or your workplace?
5) Listen to the following song “Membership” by artist Stephen the Levite: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DZydYuElzg
Discuss the lyrics of Verse 1
Listen, this is written for long term visitors/
non-committers who get the word, but never get to work/
at least not in conjunction with a church/
they stay away and say they afraid of getting hurt//
but pain is never excuse for disobedience/
church wasn't created to cater to your convenience/
And God didn't give you gifts to be greedy with/
mission without the church is missing a main ingredient//
I know I rushed in without much of an introduction/
but membership is what we're discussin'/
committing to a community through a cov'nant/
and doing the 'one another's of scripture with brethren//
(membership!) it actually happens at salvation/
but practically it happens in active participation/
Sermon: Unity Through Agreement - Part III
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