Date: July 17, 2022
United Through the Spirit
The Point: The Holy Spirit brings us together as one church.
Get Into the Study
Use the following to introduce today’s session.
It’s been 15 years since the first iPhone was released to the public. Before then, phones had limited texting, email, and internet capabilities. Now we have social media, music, navigation, video calls, and texting available in our pockets.
Ask: What are some ways that this technology has been particularly helpful in bringing together diverse groups of people?
Over 2 billion iPhones have been sold worldwide since June 29th, 2007. Smartphone technology is available to people of various backgrounds, socioeconomic levels, and ages. They are helpful tools for sharing information, finding common interests, and fostering communication. But they are just pieces of technology. They don’t have the power to truly unite us.
Ask: What are some ways this technology falls short in its ability to unite people?
As we conclude this study on the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives, we will look at the uniting power of the Holy Spirit. We will see how the Holy Spirit takes a diverse group of people and brings us together as one church.
Nikki Wilbanks grew up in Tennessee before heading to California to study literature at Pepperdine University. She enjoyed a decade-long career as a commercial real estate appraiser and investor in Southern California. Back in Tennessee now, she loves being a mom and writer.
Get Into the Study [from Adult Leader Guide, p. 83 and KJV Adult Leader Guide, p. 82]
In advance, play a video clip illustrating the power of unity or friendship. Then ask Question #1.
Live It Out
Use the following story to wrap up your study of this session.
In 2018, Gordon Conwell Seminary released a chart with information about over 70 different Christian denominations as a means of helping their students find the denomination that best suits them. The denominations in the chart “reflect the top-represented denominations from the Gordon-Conwell student body” and cover topics like church polity, theological distinctives, baptism, genders in leadership, and more.
It can feel overwhelming to think about so many denominations—especially in a world that feels increasingly factioned and angry. There are thousands of different Christian denominations across the globe, all with distinctive characteristics that make them unique. But let us remember that one thing remains true for all theologically-sound believers—they all believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that He died for our sins and rose again, conquering the grave forever.
What a beautiful truth that unites us. As individual church members come together to create one complete church body, these denominations are each functioning with strengths and weaknesses that create the global Bride of Christ. While there are surely many things we disagree on, let us find hope this week in the knowledge that God is at work across the world, adding numbers to His eternal Kingdom through the global church. May we be united in the hope, love, and peace of Christ
Live It Out [from Adult Leader Guide, p. 91 and KJV Adult Leader Guide, p. 85]
In advance, provide a spiritual gifts inventory for each member of your group and invite them to report back on what they discover when you meet again. Or they could schedule a coffee with another group member to discuss.
Consider taking a spiritual gifts analysis. There is one located here:
https://youngadults.lifeway.com/wp-content/uploads/downloads/SpiritualGiftsSurvey.pdf
There is an explanation of the various gifts here: https://youngadults.lifeway.com/wp-content/uploads/downloads/UnderstandingSpiritualGifts_List.pdf
Additional Questions
Icebreaker
- When have you seen a team united in a way that helped them accomplish a goal?
- What is something you have in common with a lot of your friends?
- What is something you have in common with a lot of your friends?
1 Corinthians 12:4-7
- Why is that we tend to be divided by factions or beliefs?
- Why is unity important within the church?
- What are some ways Satan uses our differences to try to divide us?
1 Corinthians 12:8-11
- These verses are not an exhaustive list of spiritual gifts. What do you notice about this list of spiritual gifts?
- Which of these gifts do you feel your church community needs more of today?
- How would you describe your spiritual gifts?
1 Corinthians 12:12-14
- What does it look like for you to use your gifts well in this season?
- Why do we tend to see our differences as a negative thing?
- What are some of the challenges to unity in the 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:
Are We Fighting the Wrong Enemy?
Podcast
Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
Leader Guide referred to a Spiritual Gifts Assessment at this address. Did not find.
I’m sorry you missed it, but it is right above the Additional Questions.