Kingdom Relationships Course.

 

Lesson Three: United We Stand (CSG facilitator and leader’s copy)

 

WELCOME SECTION: Warmly welcome all the people and ask everyone to introduce

 (20 mins)                           Themselves in a unique way! 

 

WORSHIP SECTION  :  The worship leader should select songs about unity.

(30 Mins)                          

                                            Suggested songs are: Father Bring Together, We are one

                                            Body, Father Makes us One.

                                         

                                             Allow for the operation of the gifts (prophecy, new song etc.)

 

WORD SECTION          : The facilitator should take the group through the attached

 (60 mins)                            Lesson. Get different people to read through the sections

                                             and any Bible Verses. Stop to discuss as prompted allowing

                                             everyone to get involved (drawing in the quieter ones). If

                                             the discussion is going off track bring it back to the main

                                             topic. Be conscious of the time and pace yourself.

                                             If there are any practical excercises take time to discuss the

                                             Lessons learnt in conjuction with the lesson theme and don’t

                                             allow  too much wasted time.

 

                                             When you’ve finished the lesson have a time of praying

                                             For unity.

WORKS SECTION         : Pray outwards for unsaved friends , for your neighbourhoods

  (10 mins)                             to have revival, for Singapore as a whole and even for our

                                              missions work in China etc..and other pressing prayer needs.

                                              Close with offering and benediction. Go and eat…..

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Kingdom Relationships Course.

 

Lesson Three: United We Stand (CSG member’s copy)

 

God created man in unity with Himself, and on the basis of this unity he was intended to walk in harmony with others. One of the results of the Fall was a destruction of this basic unity . This is clearly seen in the case of Cain and Abel. Since the Fall man’s natural condition is one of hostility – first towards God, then towards others.

 

Read Ephesians 2:14-16 – According to verse 14 what did Jesus break down ? What does this mean ?

 In verse 15 what did Jesus destroy ? According to verse 16, what did He produce ?  Discuss

 

In canceling out our sins through the blood of Jesus, God destroys the enmity we had towards Him and reconciles us to Himself. But , in reconciling us to Himself He makes us to be one with all His people. This is more than a peace-treaty that enables us to ‘put up’ with one another. It is an actual spiritual unity that is an accomplished fact. Paul comments further on this in Ephesians4:4-6. He refers to seven distinct unities that bind us together. They are:

 

ONE BODY      - 1 Corinthians 12:12

ONE SPIRIT     - 1 Corinthians 12:13

ONE HOPE       - Ephesians 1:18

ONE LORD       - 1 Corinthians 3:3-5, 11

ONE FAITH      - Jude 3

ONE BAPTISM- Galatians 3:27-28

ONE FATHER  - Romans 8:15-17

 

Go through each one asking a different person to read the verses and then say what it is talking about.

 

DISCUSSION: In what ways has Satan used these very same seven unities to seek to divide God’s people?

 

We can see that our unity is an accomplished fact. It is a spiritual reality, just the same as the unity of our body is a physical reality. Yet it has to be worked out in a practical experience. How did Paul say we are to endeavour to keep this unity? (See Ephesians 4:3)

What things will help us do this? (See Ephesians 4:2)

 

Unity is broken down through attitudes rather than issues. Even when there is legitimate greviance it should never result in the severance of two believers. This only denies the spiritual union that the Lord has brought about in His body. Disruption of fellowship or disagreements over doctrine usually reflect the root problem of an inner division within the individual.

 

Read John 17:20-23: What did Jesus request in prayer? What would be the result?

Read Romans 14:5-8 : Why should we not allow a difference of opinion with another believer to create disunity? Discuss.

 

Unity is not static. We are intended to grow after we have come to Christ. This means that our relationships grow too. Growth implies change. Change produces tension. In order for us to maintain the unity in the bonds of peace we must realize that we have been reconciled to God. We are not what we used to be. The old man is dead. The new man has come.

 

Read Colossians 3:8-9 – What works of the ‘old man’ have to be put off ?

Read Colossians 3:12-16 – What are the attitudes that have to be adorned ?

 

Discuss how you can increase in unity as a cell group.

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