As Jesus prayed for us, all the believers who would come to faith in him until the world ends, He prayed for unity. He prayed that we would love one another. In fact, He commanded we love one another as He has loved us (John 13:34). In a world filled with division and anger, how do we remain loving and unified, embracing reconciliation and restoration?
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
Leader: This section is designed to get discussions started, examine God’s truth, and apply it to our week. Life Group leaders should not assume everyone in their group is a Christ follower. Because they are taking part in a Life Group, they must have some openness to knowing more, exploring. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work and let Him lead you as well.
1. Is there a food (or activity) which does not agree with you, but that you can hardly withstand? Is the food or action worth the pain?
Leader Note: This could be a food (like gluten or lactose), or some hobby (like tag football, though your knees are trashed the next week).
2. Unity must be practiced. Read Ephesians 4:1-3, 2:18-20, and 1 John 4:20-21. If you were trying to explain it to your child, spouse, or best friend, what would a “worthy manner” mean to you? Do you have the qualities of humility, patience, and gentleness? Why are they crucial to living in unity and pleasing God?
Leader Note: Our actions should match the positional unity we have with Christ. We are called to go against human instincts and exhibit humility, not pride and arrogance. In fact, pride always destroys unity. We are to have patience, but the true standard of practicing patience is if we have patience with people. If we have the fruit of the Spirit of patience and gentleness, we promote the kingdom of God, support the Body of Christ, and the testimony of Jesus.
3. Unity must be protected. Read Ephesians 4:29-30 and Matthew 18:15-17 to find two sides of the same coin in these two passages. How might we offend others (and God the Holy Spirit) with our behavior? How should we behave if someone has offended us? (List the steps.)
Leader Note: In the first passage, we find that we must watch our mouths and actions lest we offend others, and grieve the Spirit, and damage the unity. We must do more than “not offend.” We are not only to give grace, but to build up! Not just put up with the “sinner” beside us but to encourage them! This is real unity.
On the other hand, when we are the ones offended, we can overlook it. If the offense is so serious that we cannot overlook it and must deal with the issue, we deal with it first with the offender. If that doesn’t work, we can get help, and finally, the church can intervene. We are never to discuss the issue publicly, or “state our case” and gossip about the perpetrator. The sign of supernatural unity is not about there never being any conflict, but how we deal with it. How we seek peace and restoration is directly based on how closely we abide by Matthew 18 directions.
4. Unity must be prioritized. Read Ephesians 4:4-6 and Galatians 3:28. Unity is not a lack of conflict, it’s what we do with conflict. Unity is not “uniformity.” What potential sources of conflict are not listed in these passages? What personal preferences or other divisions have been hard for you to overcome in the past (at this church or another) or even in the present? How can we shift our focus and change our behavior to prioritize the unity found in God?
Leader Note: ONE faith, God, Father, faith, Body.... seven times. This is what the Spirit uses to produce supernatural unity. Our politics, preferred music, and other opinions do not override the need for unity. If we tune to the Concert Master instead of ourselves, we can play the most beautiful music! If we focus on the one thing – that every knee will bow at the Name of Jesus, then we have something around which to unite.
5. This Week, read Philippians 2:1-11 three times. Read it once out loud in your Group, then privately a few more times throughout the week. If you are in a conflict situation, we urge you to review the peacemaking material below. Pray this prayer and then individually work through the Deeper section:
Father God: Thank You for bringing me into relationship and unity with You. Even when I sin and step away from You, there is always a way back to You through the blood of Jesus and the forgiveness He bought for me. Lord, I want to be at peace with You. I want to be at peace with others. Not a superficial peace, but the peace that You give, Jesus (John 14:27)! Spirit, convict me of hurts I have caused and relationships I need to mend. Convict me of being angry, argumentative, a gossip, or a self-righteous judge. Help me to seek peace and pursue it (1 Peter 3:11). In Your Name I pray, Amen.
Deeper
Leader: This section is designed for further use in your Life Group or for personal study. These can also be used as discussion points and ways to stay connected with your group throughout the week. Encourage your group to take time daily to walk through these questions.
6. Whether you are in conflict with a family member, a coworker, or a fellow believer, God has a laid out a Biblical plan for peace. We are told “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:18, ESV). If you are not in conflict, you too are called to peace: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9, ESV). Read this PEACE POINTS brochure. If you are experiencing division, focus especially on the G.R.A.C.E. acronym and the first three letters: GRA. If you have a friend in a conflict situation, encourage them with these verses.
7. Discuss the G.R.A.C.E. acronym and corresponding verses in your Life Group.
8. If you are in a dispute and need more help, contact The Cove’s peacemaking team.
9. If you are in a serious conflict involving children, division of material goods or a business partnership, please contact Peace Point, an organization of believers who mediate and arbitrate.