The subject of “unity” is the theme of the moment, isn’t it? The great thing about preaching sequentially through a book of the Bible is that you know your pastor doesn't dictate the topics. And, in God's providence, this week we come to Ephesians 4:1-6, which is all about the unity found in Christ. That's not a social or political statement, though it has implications for all of that and more. The unity Jesus brings is not cheap or shallow. Let's talk about why we all need it, and how it is so different from the unity we as humans often say we want - especially how we go about pursuing it.
Discussion Questions
“Unite or die. You have to be united in order to survive.” (paraphrase, Ben Franklin) Where in your life has division been most destructive and painful? What died or ended as a result of a lack of unity?
Why we need Unity
“Shalom: the way things ought to be – resulting in categorical flourishing!” (paraphrase, Cornelius Plantinga) Problems arise when we have different views of how things ought to be. Is there one area in the Church today that you feel is particularly divisive, thus holding back our effectiveness and potency?
As a member of the Body of Christ, we’re not sewn on, we’re grown on. We are part of a living thing; we’re not added to it and we don’t add it on to ourselves. When have you felt like you’re growing with others in the church – not in control and going with the flow? Have you ever been the one to cause division, trying to change others or the church itself, past their will?
“Unity without the gospel is worthless. It’s the unity of hell.” (JC Ryles) What are examples of this? Are you one to keep the peace at any cost, beyond what is healthy and good?
How we do it
You can have unity without community. You can also have community without unity. Give examples of both. When we approach churches like consumers (If it displeases me I’ll look for another.) we set ourselves up for an endless quest. What’s a better, more enduring approach to finding a church?
We’re not supposed to create unity, we’re called to maintain the unity that we’ve already received – and with urgency! Unity and community come from the Trinity. How do you understand this? Put it in your own words. Is this profound and practical to you or abstract and a bit too confusing to be helpful?
Where it comes from
When have you had an allegiance to a cause bigger than the thing you’re doing? How do people today put themselves aside for the sake of the Church and its mission? How do these behaviors improve unity within the church?
God comes to build unity out of people who would otherwise beat at one another’s throats. Have you ever become friends with someone who was once your enemy, because one or both of you were brought to the cross, acknowledging that neither is superior to the other? When has God led you to release the hold you held on someone?
Gospel: Flourishing happens because we are vitally connected to the One who gives life. Community and unity emerge from a mutual indwelling, where glory is being given to the other. In our sinful weak flesh, we grab and hope to gain at others’ expense. But at Christ’s expense, we have been given abundant glory so that we want to defer to and dance with others, for their good. Having a common enemy will only get us so far; we need a common leader, and we have One in Jesus.
