Prayer
Because the primary goal of our time together is to establish relationships and learn how to walk with one another in all that God has called us to be and do, we’d like to begin by praying for one another. So, does anyone have anything you’d like us to pray for or anything to share regarding how you’ve seen God moving in your life that we can celebrate together?
Scripture
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all.
– Philippians 4:1-5
Opening Question
What lesson from your youth remains true and helpful to you today?
Church is what God uses to make you more like Jesus.
In the sermon, we heard how the book of Philippians addresses two church members in conflict, encouraging them to reconcile.
When did regularly attending or joining a church become important to you?
How do you generally react to conflict between other people in church? How do you react when you have conflict with someone at church?
How can conflicts between people in a church become opportunities to become more like Jesus?
Church is not a means of self-actualization.
Self-actualization is so baked into American culture that it subtly influenced [our] approaches to discipleship, making one’s own spiritual growth the telos, or purpose, of following Jesus.
It reduces the scope of Christian faithfulness to personal spiritual practices like Bible study and prayer.
Individual spiritual disciplines are very good and essential ingredients of healthy Christian piety, but it’s a sure sign we are slipping into self-actualization when [we] overvalue individual spiritual practices to the neglect of more outward facing and communal acts of worship that aren’t necessarily meeting our ‘spiritual needs.’
These expectations may not prevent us from joining a local church, but they will keep us from staying in one. As long as a church’s ministries feel like they’re sufficiently supporting our spiritual growth, life is good! But if that doesn’t happen on our own terms or on our timeline, we project our disappointment onto our church—saying it’s inadequate or has failed all together.
– Brad Edwards, The Reason for Church
How did Jesus model giving and serving in his community? How did his sacrifice and service create unity among people at odds in some way?
What kinds of personal benefits do you typically seek at a church?
What kinds of service opportunities and sacrifices do you typically offer at church?
Church is where we co-labor with God.
In the letter to the Philippians, Paul beseeches an unnamed person to help reconcile people at odds in the church.
What gifts or talents do you possess that help build and strengthen unity?
How has God called you to co-labor with him in your church?
Closing Thought
In your final time together, take turns praying for the person seated to your right, specifically naming any needs they may have and asking God to bless them.