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Date: November 8, 2020
Committed to His Church
The Point: Commitment to Christ includes a commitment to His body, the church.
Get Into the Study
Use the following information to introduce Question #1.
The Washington Post recently published an article about childhood memories, and how parents can help their children develop lasting good memories. Rachel Barr, a psychology professor and the director of the Georgetown Early Learning Project, says that “Children start remembering nonverbally from early in infancy. Over the first two years of their life, their memories last for longer and they are more complex and more flexible.” Barr points out that once children start talking, they learn how to organize their memories and connect them to people and experiences.
Say: Researchers affirm that we can trace some memories back to our earliest years of life. Some of us may have attended church since early childhood, while others came to church later in life. Then call attention to Question #1 (What are your first memories of church?) and invite volunteers to respond.
Information for this post was gleaned from:
Study the Bible
Use the following information to supplement Question #2
WHSV television station in Harrisonburg, Virginia, recently aired a news story about how high school sports unify people from a variety of races and background. “Just going through that grind, that struggle together, just brings people closer,” said Staunton High School boys basketball coach Terrell Mickens. “We bleed, we cry, we sweat together. So I just think that naturally builds that bond…It doesn’t matter…your skin, your color, your ethnicity, your religion. We just come together to accomplish the same goal.” The practices and the games provide a place where people come together and work toward a common goal. “We bring people from different backgrounds together and we have to achieve a common goal,” said East Rockingham football head coach Donnie Coleman. “I think that’s what we are trying to do as a society and we kind of do it on a smaller scale but you see a lot of our kids literally become brothers.”
Say: You might be able to recall other sports teams that brought people together. Great things can be achieved when a sports team works together in unity toward their shared goal. Then call attention to Question #2 (What does it look like when a church sees itself as one body in Christ?) and invite volunteers to respond.
Information for this post was gleaned from:
https://www.whsv.com/content/sports/High-school-sports-provide-example-of-unity-570969741.html
— Donna McKinney wrote these Leader Extras. Donna is retired from a career with the federal government of the United States. She is a veteran Bible study group leader living in North Carolina.
Study the Bible [Additional Option for Adult Leader Guide]
After asking Question 1, play a video clip that illustrates differences in church experience.
Study the Bible [Additional Option for Young Adult]
Click here to download a spiritual gifts inventory you can use with the Engage activity (p. 95).
Additional Questions
Icebreakers
- What are some words that describe your experiences with church over the years?
- What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “church”?
- What do you like best about church?
Romans 12:3-5
- How have you seen the church function as a unified body recently?
- How have you benefitted by being a part of a church?
- What is at the heart of Paul’s teaching in these verses about the church?
Romans 12:6-8
- How do you see some of these gifts being demonstrated in your church?
- Why are different kinds of gifts important for the health of a church body?
- What can prevent believers from recognizing the importance of their contribution to the church?
Romans 12:9-16
- When have you seen the church love people well?
- What does it look like to love without hypocrisy?
- What opportunities exist for you to serve Christ through His church?
For Those in Your Group
Send the following link to your group members as either a teaser before the group meets or as a follow-up thought:
If 30 Trillion Cells Can Work Together, We Can Too.
Podcast
Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.
Tips for Leading Bible Study Groups
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
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