We Believe Love Will Keep Us Together
May 12, 2024
They exist everywhere. Little contradictions that are sometimes humorous and sometimes downright disturbing. From driving on a parkway and parking in a driveway to the endorsement of slavery by a nation whose founding document states that all men are created equal. But what happens when the message of the Gospel is contradicted by the church that is proclaiming it? Join us for part 6 of This Is Us, where we will learn that the Gospel is validated by the unity of the Church.
Passage
John 13:34-35 & John 17
Principles
We believe the ##Gospel## is validated by the ##unity## of the ##Church##.
Practice
##Love## ##Everyone##, ##Always##
Small Group Questions
Use this outline for personal reflection, as a couples or family devotion, or with a small group.
HANGOUT
Describe the best team experience you’ve ever had. What made this experience different from others? What does it take to have a unified marriage, family, church, and nation?
HEAR
Read 1 John 2:3-11
- How can we be sure we know God and are living in Christ?
- Does this imply that we must be perfect to know God? Why or why not?
- How does John distinguish walking in light from walking in darkness?
Read John 1:9-13 and 1 John 1:5-7
- Who is the “Light,” and how has the world responded to that Light?
- How does walking in the light foster fellowship with others? How does walking in darkness prevent people from having fellowship?
- How has walking in the Light helped your relationships with others?
- How critical is our vertical relationship (with God) to the well-being of our horizontal relationships with others? Do our horizontal relationships impact our vertical relationship with God? If so, how?
Read 1 John 3:16-18
- What should motivate us to love one another, and what does that love look like?
- How is God calling you, your family, our small group, and our church to love one another?
HUDDLE
Is there someone or a group of people you are having trouble loving? Talk about it, invite accountability, and take time to pray together.
Daily Reading
As you read each passage, look for connections to this week’s sermon and small group discussion. Invite the Holy Spirit to be your teacher as you seek Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
- Day 1: John 13
- Day 2: John 14 & 15
- Day 3: John 16 & 17
- Day 4: 1 Corinthians 13
- Day 5: 1 John 1 & 2
- Day 6: 1 John 3
- Day 7: 1 John 4 & 5
Think Deeper
- Do you believe true unity is possible in our polarized society? If so, how?
- What should unity in Jesus’ church look like?
- What makes love an essential part of unity?
Suggested Reading
Future Church, by Will Mancini
The Most Loving Place in Town, by Kenneth Blanchard
I Am a Church Member, by Thom Rainer
Check out these and other books from our suggested reading list at https://bit.ly/AspireSMB.