Going from Far to Near (Part 2) - Pastor Perry Kallis
Text: Eph. 2:13-18
1. Why do you think there was such a divide between Jews and Gentiles?
2. What are some possible divisive issues in the Body of Christ? Why do you think these things are divisive?
3. Is the unity of the Body of Christ more important that the individual? Why or why not?
4. Divisive issues tend to be along individual likes or dislikes, how does this fit into our identity in Christ? (see 2 Cor. 5:14-15, Gal. 2:20)
5. How many times is the word “peace” used in this passage?
What does this say about its importance in Jesus ministry and for us?
6. How do we sow peace as Christians in the World and with other Christians?
7. Have you ever been in a gathering where there were different cultures and languages but could feel the unity of the Holy Spirit in the Body of Christ? Where and when?
8. Why is our human tendency to divide?
9. What makes Christianity “a new creation or a different thing” compared with other religions?
10. What are some ways for us to foster unity in the Body of Christ?
11. How can our diversity in the Body of Christ be a strength?
12. How does Pastor Perry’s statement “God values our holiness more than our happiness” strike you?
13. If everyone in the Body of Christ was the same, would that be a good thing or a bad thing?
Check out The Practical Steps to Unity from Pastor Perry’s Sermon:
Some practical “what if” barrier breakers for us:
What if...you went up to someone not in your age group and asked them ... their name and how you could pray for them this next week?
What if... some Sunday you sat in a whole new place just so you could worship with someone else in this “new” Kainos – kind of God given family?
What if... instead of just sitting and waiting for church to start... you briefly bowed your head and prayed for the person beside you that God would speak to both of you at this family time together?
What if... we had a paper out in the Information center with all the words of the songs we sang that day? If and you younger believers heard a hymn you didn’t know, and read some of those words as part of your quiet time... and if some of you who feel challenged with some of the newer songs did the same thing in your personal quiet time?
What if... those of us who are part of this family began to “on purpose” look around at people to greet, to talk to, and to get to know; people who, look new to us- both before and after church?
What if... the most important “offering” we brought to every worship time was a heart asking: "What sacrifice am I making for the “Bride” this morning?" Rather than "What am I entitled to in this service?"
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