Pulpit Curriculum: Grow Up
June 16th – June 22nd, 2024
Sermon Summary
In this week’s sermon based on Ephesians 4: 11 – 16, the preacher emphasized the importance of the different ministries within the church (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers) given by God to equip the believers for service and to build up the Church. The sermon highlighted the need for believers to listen to the leaders given by God and to use their giftings to strengthen each other and for the Church to achieve spiritual maturity. The preacher shared that for this to occur, leaders must disciple believers, create opportunities for believers to use their gifts, and allow them to serve. Finally, the sermon focused on some characteristics of a mature and healthy church, achieved when leaders lead, and saints work.
Verse of the Week
Ephesians 4:11-13
11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his 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.
Going Deeper
Review: Ephesians 4:11-16
1) How do verses 11 and 12 connect with other biblical teachings on the church, unity, and spiritual gifts?
2) Give some examples of “every wind of teaching” and “human cunning” (verse 14) in today’s context. What does scripture teach us about distinguishing biblical truth from error?
3) The preacher said, “We hardly speak the truth. Much less in love. When we speak the truth, we are angry, fed up, or frustrated. In addition, we have a mistaken notion that loving others means not confronting them or not saying anything that might harm our relationship.” Find three (3) other scripture references to explain how believers can practice speaking the truth to each other in love in our daily interactions with others
4) Explain, with reference to scripture, the meaning of the ordinances of (a) baptism and (b) communion. What is the role of each of these in keeping believers connected to each other?
Assess Your Life
The following questions are meant to encourage personal reflection and identify areas for spiritual growth in your relationship with God. Ask yourself the questions, respond honestly, write down your responses, and then prayerfully seek God’s conviction and guidance to move forward to repentance and restoration. In your Small Group, or in discussions with your friends and family, be open to sharing your responses with others in a spirit of accountability and transparency.
1) Which of the giftings mentioned in verse 11 most resonates with you, and how can you use this gifting to better serve your church community?
2) What areas do you need to grow in your spiritual maturity?
3) In which of your relationships do you need to practice speaking the truth in love?
4) Are your attitudes, speech and behaviours promoting unity or disunity in the church community?
Application
One key objective of this Pulpit Curriculum is taking God’s truth as exposed in the sermon and helping people apply that truth in practical and intentional ways to plot a course toward obedience and transformation. This section is intended to achieve that objective.
1) Based on your giftings, in which area of ministry would you be willing to serve in your church community?
2) What can you do to become more committed to prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers?
3) In what way can you be more careful about promoting unity within my church community?
4) What are two things you can do to be more intentional about incorporating physical rest into my weekly routine?
Which of the above will you be intentional about this week?
I will ask_____ to hold me accountable in this.
Sermon Main Points
Take heed to the advice for becoming a mature church.
1) Saints, listen to your leaders-
Because our leaders were “given” to us by Jesus, they are gifts to us. And because they are also gifted by Him, we must follow and listen to them.**
2) Leaders, let the saints work-
Leaders are to teach and help believers know that the Holy Spirit has gifted them all to serve each other; give the saints opportunities to serve; and empower and delegate work to others.
3) When leaders lead and saints work, the church grows–:
A growing church reflects Christ…
- by spending time with Him and learning more about Him
- by speaking the truth in love to one another
A growing church is rooted in the Word
A growing church is connected
- Believers are joined and held together by Jesus through the ordinances of Baptism and Communion. We are also held together by each other.
A growing church is healthy
- Spiritually, we get healthy when we spend time in God’s Word and make the effort and time to do what it says.
- Physically, we get healthy when we commit to resting.
Sermon Reflection
What stood out for me in this sermon?
What can I do to remember this?
Quotes
A divided church affects the maturity of the members, while a united church helps its members to grow in their faith —Kenyatta Lewis
The real reason we do not speak the truth in love is because we don’t care about the other person, and most damning of all, we are not passionate about becoming like Christ. —Kenyatta Lewis
5 Day Study Plan
Use the Inductive Bible Study method to study these scriptures this week and remember to share with someone else.
Follow these steps
1. Observe the text.
(What do you see in the text? Look for answers to questions like: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?)
2. Interpret the text.
(What did God and the human author of the text want the original people reading this text to understand/do? Why?)
3. Apply the text.
(How do I need to change in my thinking, my affections, my attitudes, and/or my actions?)
Day 1 - Acts 2: 42-47
Day 2 - Romans 12:4-8
Day 3 - Romans 10:14-15
Day 4 - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Day 5 - Philippians 2: 1-3
For best results, this content should be read and prepared privately and then discussed in your small group or with family / friends. We were not created to do life alone - get connected with a small group and grow together.