Kingdom Relationships Course.

 

Lesson Four: Diverse But Not Divided (CSG facilitator and leader’s copy)

 

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

 (20 mins)                           Themselves. Ask each person to say what is one difference

                                           between the world’s concept (eg. In Singapore) of Unity in

                                           Diversity and the Church’s concept.

 

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

(30 Mins)                          

                                            Suggested songs are: Though We Are Many, We are one

                                            Body, We Are The People Of The Lord, Bind Us Together.

                                         

                                             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 in the midst of your diverse group and the Church

                                             As a whole.

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 Four: Diverse But Not Divided (CSG member’s copy)

 

The leader should read…

“In the last lesson we saw that we are all joined in spiritual unity and as such are the Body of Christ. Our unity is an accomplished fact, a spiritual reality. Yet it takes different members to make up this one body. Just as all  the members of a human body are different, yet share in the unity of the body, so it is with the Body of Christ.”

 

Ask one person to read 1 Corinthians 12:17-21. Discuss what Paul is saying.

 

Ask one person to read: “The purpose of diversity is that each member should be interdependent upon the others. The fact that we are different enables us to compliment each other. Yet, sadly, it is often our differences that divide us and become the cause of disharmony. We need to learn to understand one another and appreciate our differences.” – give examples of how differences can divide.

 

Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-6: What are three important differences that exist among believers ? Discuss.

 

Read Psalms 111:10; 119:104 and Proverbs 28:5 and say what keys to gaining understanding are found in them (ask different people to read and answer).

 

Ask one person to read Proverbs 21:2. Why do we sometimes have problems in understanding people who are different to us ?

 

Have different people read Hebrews 2:17,18; 4:15,16. What did Jesus do to make Him become more understanding of us ?  How can we do likewise ?

 

The great theme of Proverbs is wisdom, and how to get it. This includes many helpful truths concerning how we can understand and relate well with others. Ask different people to read the following verses and say what each passage reveals about relating well with others:

Proverbs 11:12; 14:29; 17:27-28; 20:5 and 28:16.

 

Read out the following …..’“Variety is the spice of life”. Whilst God’s Word is the rule for all of His children, there are many minor areas the Scriptures do not specifically address. In these matters we are to be led by our own conscience. If our conscience does not condemn us (and the Word does not prohibit us), we can proceed. But if there is any doubt then we should not proceed, for ‘whatever is not from faith is sin’ (Romans 14:23), and whilst that thing may be right in itself we stand condemned for moving ahead, against the measure of light (conscience) we have. It is in this area that there is great variation from person to person and we need to recognize and respect the diversity within the Body of Christ’.

Read 2 Corinthians 10:12. What practice is forbidden ?

 

Read Romans 14:1-3. Why should we accept the way others are ?

 

Read Romans 15:5-7. What should our approach be to others who have differences to us ?

 

Read Romans 15:1-3. What reasons for accommodating others do you see here ?

 

Read 1 Corinthians 8:13; 10: 32-33. What is the difference between accommodating others and condoning their wrong actions ? Discuss.

 

What kind of secondary, non-essential issues have divided God’s people in the past or even now ? How could this have been avoided ? Discuss.

 

Pray for each other to be ‘accomodators’, avoiding petty arguments. For unity in diversity!

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