I am posting this on the day before Stand Up Sunday. Typically, we will have “Super Sunday” at the High School Gym. This year, we are cramming ourselves all into one service at 11am, where we’ll celebrate our birthday, have baptisms, sing, and more together. How did we do on that? What was good about Stand Up Sunday?
Since the beginning of the year, I have called us to a demanding task.. To build our house for standing through the storm.
Do you think people in our church see this as a demanding task worth taking on, or do you think they see it as overly difficult, and not worth pursuing?
When we look back at the way Paul wrote to his close partners in Philippi, what sense do you get from his challenge to them?
Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.
-Paul, Philippians 1:27 NLT
It has been said that the New Testament knows of no believers detached from participation in the local church. How is that different from American christians in the 21st century?
Why is it more important now than ever for us to be partnered together on purpose for Him?
We are in this struggle together.
-Paul, Philippians 1:30 NLT
Nobody builds their house alone. It takes a team. Look around the room. This is your team. These are your co-builders together.
Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
-Paul, Philippians 2:1-2 NLT
Talk about those three characteristics that Paul lists and discuss what that would look like for our group, our church.
- agreeing wholeheartedly with each other
- loving one another
- working together with one mind and purpose
We’re taking this NEW APPROACH to lifegroups for the next few months. We’ll be working through Francis Chan’s excellent book, Until Unity, and discussing what we’re learning.
Watch the three-minute Until Unity Video Series Introduction together.
Let’s talk about this together. How do you feel about doing this together as a group? Do you think it will be easy? Hard? Do you have time to read a chapter each week?
(let me just say that the INTRODUCTION ALONE will knock your socks off!! Worth the price of the entire book! Read it over and over again!)
So, what do you think… Are we all in on this together? Are we willing to work through this book from now to the third week in April? What would keep any of us from doing this? What kinds of things should we put into place to be sure this happens?
Are we in?
Get the book in paper, Kindle, and Audible versions right here:
Don’t be afraid to pick up the study guide as well!
Your assignment is to read the Introduction this week. (Man, is it good!) We will watch the next video next week, and discuss what we read together. It will be awesome.