Imperfect noses.
Love handles.
Overgrown eyebrows.
We all have parts of our bodies we wish were a bit… different.
On the other hand, we also have parts of our bodies we prefer and even prioritize. Do you have a “good side” that you always make sure faces the camera? Do you like to wear blue because it brings out the color of your eyes? Or, like me, do you wear sleeveless T-shirts to show off your bulging biceps?*
In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul says the whole Church is like a body. And like all bodies, the Church has different “parts” or “members” with different kinds of spiritual gifts–from prophecy to healing to tongues. Some of these may appear to be “weaker” (v. 22) or “less honorable” (v. 23), but in God’s eyes each is essential in order to follow where the Spirit leads.
So whether you feel like a beating heart in God’s work or you feel like a curiously trivial appendix (Would anyone miss me if I were gone?), this week we will hear how God gathers us into his body and then sends us out into his world.
*In fact, I do not own any sleeveless T-shirts. Nor do I have bulging biceps.
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(Weekly Community Group Discussion Guide)
Date: October 18, 2015 // Title: Body Parts
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12
SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes
ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes
Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out.
SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes
What does it mean to be a part of the church? What does it mean to worship together? To be God’s people led by his Spirit, we must embrace our unique individual gifting and use that to function as a body. It means all the different gifts come together in a symphonic chorus of guidance led by Jesus. We come together as a body to go in the same Spirit led direction.
The history of Grace has always been towards being a multiplying church instead of mega church. Many churches, under many roofs, in one family, under one Father. Jon gave many examples of gifts at work in the history of our church. We celebrate God leading us in new directions and launching our people to new platforms and opportunities to disciple the next generation. The opportunity for Randy and Anita to lead at New Hope is an extension of that vision and is only possible because of the way all the varied gifts in our body have come together to create this culture of discipleship and empowerment.
THE MAIN THOUGHT Keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion.
Our individuality is meant to serve our commonality as the body of Christ.
SEE IT Questions :: 10-15 minutes
Picture: God gives us the gifts, the clarity of the tasks and the energy to do them. Looking through that lens, in which area do you need more help? The gifts, the task or the energy?
Mirror: What are some obstacles for bringing together the gifts or hearing the tasks in your community? How are you tapping into the power that is meant to sustain us for what God is calling us to?
Window: The body is supposed to be a multiplying body and not just a mega-body. In order to multiply, we need to grow and we need to go. Where might your community be called to send someone to multiply what God is doing in a new place? What would it take to be able to do that?
BE IT – Practice
Change UP // Exercise 5 minutes
As Randy and Anita transition to their new role at New Hope, pray for them and their family. Pray for the body at New Hope to continue to grow and flourish. Pray for the students and families in Snellville to continue in the path of discipleship and for the opportunities for people to step into leadership.
Change IN // Group Activity 5 minutes
Read through the list of gifts in 1 Corinthians 12. Circle the ones that God has given to you personally. What other gifts has he given to your community? What does it mean to be a body of Spirit-led people instead of individuals exercising their own gifts? How do we bring our gifts to the table so that they can work for the common good?
Change OUT // Life Application Assignment5 minutes
Thanksgiving and encouragement are important parts of a healthy body life. Write someone that you have been in community with (or maybe or ) that has been sent to multiply the body in a new place for a new season.
CLOSING PRAYER 5 minutes
Take a few minutes to gather any prayer requests and pray for each other to SEE IT and BE IT this week.