Philippians 4:2-3
Catch up on how things have been over the past week. Then ask group members these questions: How do you typically handle conflict? Do you tend to avoid or embrace it? Why?
Ask for a volunteer to read Philippians 4:2-3 to the group, praying that you’d be deeply impacted by God’s word and then impact others in Jesus’ name.
If you’re not gathered in person, the leader should project the video for the group through sharing their screen. If you’re using Zoom, make sure you have optimized your screen share for video.
Here are some suggested questions to help your discussion:
The diversity in perspectives, experience and backgrounds amongst Jesus’ people makes us distinct – but also makes us vulnerable. This diversity contributes to the richness of local churches and CU life, but also makes us susceptible to letting small things become ultimate things. We must consciously remember who God has made us all in Christ.
Take time praying for the churches you attend in your city, as well as the CU and your own Impact Group, asking God to protect the unity and love amongst his people.
“God has done something so radically, incredibly gracious toward us that it motivates us to do things we don’t feel like doing – including loving our enemies.” In this three-minute video, Ken Sande, founder of Relational Wisdom 360, considers how the gospel changes our approach to conflict resolution.
The love Christians have for one another should also spill out into our love for our non-believing friends.
Becky Pippert writes:
Jesus said, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). Jesus [had] a purpose, and he went to the cross to sacrificially achieve it. It was not an “ulterior motive,” because he never hid it. Jesus’ purpose was his longing to see people be reconciled to God. Having a purpose did not mean that Jesus violated a person’s integrity, nor does it for us. Living our lives with godly purpose, which is accompanied by love, is very different from manipulating a person or seeing people merely as evangelistic projects…. It is because of God’s love that we treat people with integrity and dignity, and it’s why we share the gospel message with them.
You might like to pray for renewed love for friends in the week ahead, and for natural opportunities to share the love of Jesus. You could share how these prayers are answered in an Impact Group WhatsApp group, if you have one.
For more, see Chapter 12 of Becky Pippert’s Stay Salt.
Then confirm the time you’ll meet together next week, and close your time together.
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