Some people may say “I love Jesus, I just don’t like the church.” Now, there is no doubt that dealing with people is messy… but it is also necessary (especially in Christ). Christ gave his life for the church and then he asks this church family to be unified, and unity is one of the hardest achievements of Christians.
Why do you think some people say they “love Jesus, but not the church?”
What can we do to help them?
Membership in the body of Christ is a basic spiritual fact for those who confess Christ… it’s not an option. Or to put it another way… We can no more be a Christian and have nothing to do with the church than we can be a person and not be in a family.
Why do you think some view church membership as optional?
How is community essential for the Christian?
Psalm 133 addresses the difficulty and beauty of unity. Read Psalm 133.
Brothers and sisters living together in unity is not natural, nor is it easy… but it is “good and pleasing”.
When left to our own devises we will either be at each other’s throats (like Cain and Abel)… or we will figure out ways to dismiss or marginalize our siblings.
In what ways do we marginalize our siblings in the church family?
Unity is like
What does this mean?
Why is this a powerful picture?
When we see our brothers and sisters as God’s anointed, our relationships are profoundly affected.
Unity is like
What does this mean?
Why is the a powerful picture?
This idea of a “fresh start” every morning is important to unity.
The
The psalmist connects unity to eternity. Why is this an important connection?
Let’s strive for this kind of unity.