God’s plan for the church has always been to be diverse: different families, education, race, income levels, politics, nationalities, accents, jobs, and even sports teams. But because of Christ, we who are naturally disconnected become unified in purpose to love and serve one another as we express the life-changing gospel to a divided world. Only in the church can our diversity become unity and our unity lead to maturity. ~ Pastor Dave
Open: Describe your experience growing up (childhood to the teen years; teen years to adulthood). How have you matured over the years? Who helped you in your maturity process?
Read: Ephesians 4:1-16; John 17; Psalm 68
Discuss:
1. In Chapters 1-3, Paul has built a foundation of which he now calls the Ephesians to build upon. He is now calling them to “walk” all that he has just written about. What does it mean to “walk worthy”? How does the word “worthy” indicate balance? What are the things that we spiritually balance as a part of the body of Christ?
2. Paul described unity in the church. What are the things that cultivate unity? Of the list that Paul gives, which one stands out to you the most? Why? Which one would you say that you struggle with the most? How do common beliefs guard our unity? How does a post-modern culture (you believe whatever you want) hinder true unity?
3. Paul quotes from Psalm 68 to describe our diversity as believers. What is this Psalm talking about? What are the gifts of grace that God has given to the church? What is your spiritual gift(s)? How have you used these gifts in the church? How do spiritual gifts demonstrate a “worthy walk”?
4. Paul says that God gave “apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and shepherd to equip the saints for the work of the ministry.” What does it mean to be equipped? Are you equipped for service? What would keep you from taking significant steps to discovering your giftedness and doing all that you can to “do your work” in the church of Christ? What does the text say results when believers are equipped and serving in their giftings (vs. 12-13)?
5. Sometimes people refer to “new Christians” or “baby Christians” and “mature Christians”. What do these terms mean? What does it mean to be a mature Christian? What hinders Christians from spiritually maturing? Do you see Christians who are “tossed to and fro by the waves…”? Have you ever been “childish” spiritually? Describe your story.
Pray: Pray that we would be a church unified in our purpose, diverse in our gifting, and growing in our relationship with Christ.
Memorize/Meditate: Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Ephesians 4:15-16
