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Date: February 21, 2021
Connecting to Christ’s Body
The Point: Spiritual growth calls for regular interaction with and ministry to other believers.
Get Into the Study
Use the following information to introduce Question #1.
Last fall Lane Unhjem, a North Dakota farmer, was driving his combine harvester in a field of wheat when it caught fire. Surrounded by flames and breathing heavy smoke, Unhjem went into cardiac arrest. He was transported to the trauma center in critical condition. As news of what had happened to Unhjem spread through the community in Divide County, ND, farmers stopped harvesting their own fields and brought their farming equipment to Unhjem’s farm to finish his harvest. Almost 60 farmers showed up and spent eight hours harvesting 1,000 acres of canola and durum wheat – a job that would have taken Unhjem about two weeks to finish working by himself.
“In this part of the country, any time anybody needs a helping hand, everybody will stop what they’re doing at the drop of a hat and come help,” said Brad Sparks, a neighboring farmer. “That’s just the way it is here. People from 30 miles away showed up with trucks.”
“If we hadn’t done it, I don’t know if he would have gotten the crop off in time,” said Jenna Binde, another farmer and family farmer. “It was crucial to get it off when we did. It’s one less thing for the family to worry about.”
Say: Being part of a farming community with helpful neighbors allowed Lane Unhjem to harvest his crops, even while he was in the hospital recuperating from a heart attack. Then call attention to Question #1 (When has being part of a group really helped you succeed?) and invite volunteers to respond.
Information for this post was gleaned from:
Get Into the Study [Additional Option]
In advance, prepare a video clip to give an example of a group helping someone succeed. Then ask Question #1.
Study the Bible
Use the following information to introduce Question #5.
It was a Friday night in late fall at the busy Thai Food Huntly restaurant in Huntly, New Zealand, when suddenly all the staff had to leave – except the chef – because of a family emergency. Scrambling to keep up, the chef was trying to prepare and cook the food, wait on tables, and run the cash register too. Restaurant customers soon realized how the chef was struggling, working alone. A customer waiting in line to pay for her food, picked up paper and pencil and began waiting on tables, taking customer orders. Other customers starting doing the dishes and running the food to the tables. A neighboring shop sent over one of their workers to run the cash register. A spokesperson for the restaurant said later, “It was really cool to see them help, especially since there was a family emergency that impacted the majority of our staff members. We have such great customers and are proud of our community.”
Say: When the restaurant was suddenly left short-handed, customers looked around, saw the needs, and went to work. Because everyone pitched in and worked together, what might have been a disastrous evening became a point of pride and success for the community. Then call attention to question #5 (How can our group help one another recognize and utilize our gifts?) and invite volunteers to respond.
Information for this post was gleaned from:
Study the Bible (Option from the Young Adult Leader Guide)
After studying 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, show this video of an a cappella group to help the members see the power of working together.
— 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.
Additional Questions
Icebreakers
- Where do you see people joining together in community in today’s world?
- When has being part of a group really helped you succeed?
- When have you worked with others to accomplish a task or minister in a specific way?
1 Corinthians 12:12-13
- What does unity look like?
- Why is the unity of the body of Christ good news for you specifically?
- Where do you see evidence of unity among Christians today?
1 Corinthians 12:14-18
- What are responsibilities all church members share, regardless of individual gifts and roles?
- How can we help each other recognize our individual roles in the church?
- What are the dangers of comparing ourselves and our gifting to others in the church?
1 Corinthians 12:19-24
- What are some things that are necessary for a healthy church body?
- What does true Christian fellowship look like in a healthy functioning church?
- Where do you have opportunities to maximize your connection with other believers in the body of Christ?
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:
Strengthening Your Walk in a COVID-19 World
Podcast
Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.
Magazine Article
This article complements the study. Share this link with your group members.
- HomeLife – A New Church Potluck
Tips for Leading Bible Study Groups
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
Awesome resources for this lesson!! Loved the podcast (may try the circular saw idea :))