The Spirit Unites (Ephesians 4:1-6)
Community Group Discussion Questions
Making disciples through the mutual ministry of
redemptive relationships
Text: Ephesians 4:1-6
Sermon Title: The Spirit Unites Us
Date: August 16, 2020
- Read Revelation 7:9-17. What excites you about this final destination God is leading all of His people to? In what way(s) are you already experiencing this in our church? In which area(s) are finding yourself wanting more?
- Is it a surprise to you that the first command in the book of Ephesians (after three chapters of the gospel being explained) is the command to maintain unity? Why or why not?
- Inwyn Ince writes, “Jesus says that our unity is the evidence to the world that He is real. In other words, the world’s most powerful witness to the world that Jesus is real isn’t signs and wonders like miraculous healing. No, it’s the supernatural life of God’s people united in beautiful diverse community!” What is distinct about the unity God’s people share from all other groups? Why would it be so winsome to the watching world?
- John Piper write, “Racial tensions are rife with pride—the pride of white supremacy, the pride of black power, the pride of intellectual analysis, the pride of anti-intellectual scorn, the pride of loud verbal attack, and the pride of despising silence, the pride that feels secure, and the pride that masks fear. Where pride holds sway, there is no hope for the kind of listening and patience and understanding and openness to correction that relationships require.”How has pride prevented you from listening, understanding, and being patient with those who think and/or look different from you? What would a step toward humility look like here?
- John Stott describes “patience” mentioned in verse 2 as “longsuffering toward aggravating people, such as God in Christ has shown toward us.” Why is patience key to helping us maintain our unity? What do you think happens to our unity without patience? Why is the gospel absolutely vital to you being patient with those who aggravate you?
- The NIV translation of our passage says, “Make everyeffortto keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” What new “effort(s)” do you feel led to make toward keeping unity in our church?