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NEW: Online Group Plan for Session 3
Date: August 9, 2020
We Support One Another
The Point: God gives the church spiritual gifts to accomplish His work.
Get Into the Study
Use the following information to introduce Question #1.
Julia Lin is a high school junior in Portland, Oregon. With the COVID virus affecting so many people, a few months ago Julia decided to organize a food drive to help her neighbors. She was especially worried about some of her classmates who had lost their access to regular meals with the schools being closed. So she posted a notice on the Nextdoor social networking app asking people to donate non-perishable food items. She offered to come pick up any donations. Julia’s community had soon made 400 donations of food, and Julia picked up every one of the donations.
As a next step, Julia recruited some of her classmates to set up distribution centers throughout the community where people in need can come and pick up food. “I’ve seen so many people offering their help, and I’ve picked up so many donations from people in the community,” Julia said. “It’s nice to see people supporting each other in a time of crisis.”
Say: With the help of her neighbors and classmates, Julia Lin accomplished something big with her food drive. Then call attention to Question #1 (When has being part of a group helped you accomplish something big?) and invite volunteers to respond.
Information for this post was gleaned from:
https://www.rd.com/article/uplifting-stories-of-neighbors-helping-during-coronavirus/
Study the Bible
Use the following information to supplement Question #2.
In response to the racial unrest evident across the country this summer, on June 17, a group of African American Southern Baptist pastors and leaders took part in a panel discussion, “A 60 Minute Conversation on Race in America.” This discussion was hosted by Ronnie Floyd, president and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee.
- Marshall Williams, senior pastor of Nazarene Baptist Church in Philadelphia, was one of the African American pastors on the panel. Williams affirmed the strong stands Southern Baptists have always taken against abortion and sexual immorality. But Williams said he wants people “to be as passionate about racism and injustice, because it’s part of the biblical mandate, Micah 6:8, to do justice.” Williams continued saying, “I don’t think we need to write any more resolutions. We need to put some shoe leather in it and effect some change. … Our younger generation wants to see practical application of the biblical principle. And for us right now, our hypocrisy because we haven’t acted on it and dealt with America’s original sin, it has hindered the heathen from hearing when we holler about the holy. They can’t hear us. And so we have a great opportunity. That’s why I’m here. That we might be a bridge-builder, a unifier, that we might stand as a collective, incarnational presence.”
Say: Pastor K. Marshall Williams issued a bold call for believers to be bridge-builders and unifiers. Then call attention to Question #2 (Why is unity so important for a church?) and invite volunteers to respond.
Information for this post was gleaned from:
— 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
- When have you really needed the support of others to accomplish a task?
- When do you feel most connected to the people around you?
- When have you experienced the interconnectedness of God’s family?
Ephesians 4:1-7
- How should we understand Paul’s emphasis of “one” in these verses?
- What are some ways division can be harmful to a church?
- How do the attributes listed in these verses help us work toward unity in the church?
Ephesians 4:11-13
- What is God is currently calling you to do “to build up the body of Christ”?
- Where would you like to contribute to the mission of equipping others in the church?
- How has your participation in ministry helped you mature in Christ?
Ephesians 4:14-16
- How does the metaphor of the church as a body help you understand God’s intention for the church?
- What are some obstacles that prevent us from supporting each other as Paul described in these verses?
- What can we learn from verse 15 about our spiritual growth?
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:
The Art of Giving Everyone Else Your Spiritual Gift
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.
- Mature Living – Gifts of the Spirit
Tips for Leading Bible Study Groups
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
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