LifeGroup Notes
Big Idea
The main question we should be answering is How are Christians to function together? There is a great challenge that must be considered when we think about the local church. We have so many differences from age to ethnicity to culture to upbringing. We come from different states and maybe even different countries. Not only these, we have one more thing that adds to our distinctions; the differing spiritual gifts that God has gifted us with. All of these different gifts and we are to come together with our different backgrounds into this church and represent Christ as his people.
OPEN
In session 3 we looked at what it means to be a Servant of God and now Pastor David continues as we look at what it means to become members of one body. As Pastor David guided us through what it means to become members of one body in Romans chapter 12 , Paul’s letter to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians chapter 12 is also a great place to see God’s plan for His body.
What jumped out at you from the message this week? What led you to really think or even better, to change your actions?
What jumped out at you from the video?
READ
Read 2 Corinthians 12:12-27
12For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body — so also is Christ. 13For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body — whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free — and we were all given one Spirit to drink. 14Indeed, the body is not one part but many. 15If the foot should say, “Because I’m not a hand, I don’t belong to the body,” it is not for that reason any less a part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, “Because I’m not an eye, I don’t belong to the body,” it is not for that reason any less a part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But as it is, God has arranged each one of the parts in the body just as he wanted. 19And if they were all the same part, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” Or again, the head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that are weaker are indispensable. 23And those parts of the body that we consider less honorable, we clothe these with greater honor, and our unrespectable parts are treated with greater respect, 24which our respectable parts do not need.
Instead, God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the less honorable, 25so that there would be no division in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other. 26So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
As a group, read 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. What are the similarities between our church and Paul’s church?
What is the first pointe that Paul makes in this passage?
Why does Paul say that we are united?
What is Paul referring to when he says that we are baptized and drink of one Spirit?
As a group, read Acts 2:38-39. How does Peter agree with Paul In this passage?
As a group, read 1 Corinthians 12:14-20. What is the second thing that Paul points out in this passage?
What is the purpose of diversity in the church?
As a group, read 1 Corinthians 12:21-27. What is the third thing that believers should see in this passage?
What is the Pareto principle?
What else is Paul describing in this passage?
What makes the local church invaluable?
LET’S PRAY
Consider the following questions as you pray together as a LifeGroup.
1. Are you striving for unity in this body of believers?
2. Are you acknowledging, celebrating and committing to the diversity in this body?
3. Are you depending on other believers and being dependable for them?