Bible Study #5: God Loves Unity
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Psalm 133:1
Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the
same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined
together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 1 Corinthians 1:10
They all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in
Us, . . . "And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as
We are one: "I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one Jn 17:21-23
Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the
Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same
love, being of one accord, of one mind. Philippians 2:1-2
Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another,
according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom 15:5-6
Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in
peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11
All of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be
tenderhearted, be courteous; 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the
contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
1 Pet 3:8-9
The evidence is overwhelming: God desires __unity___ in His church!
From the Scripture references above write a definition for unity:
{NOTE: help student to identify the major concepts of unity identified in the Scriptures above (those which are highlighted)}
The history of God’s people reveals that they have had difficultly fulfilling
God’s heart desire for unity. Members of churches far too often have
serious conflicts one with another. An example was the church at Corinth:
For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's
household, that there are contentions among you. 1 Cor 1:11
18 For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions
among you, and in part I believe it. 1 Cor 11:18
(NOTE: discuss with the student how churches today are no different than in Paul’s day, we have contentions and divisions among us as well. Point out that even though this is true, it is never God’s will for the church to be divided!)
Why is unity in the church so difficult to accomplish?
For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body,
being many, are one body, so also is Christ. . . .14 For in fact the body is not one member
but many. . . 20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. . . 27 Now you
are the body of Christ, and members individually. 1 Cor 12:12-27
The church is many ____members but yet one ____body .
As God places the members in the church (see 1 Cor 12:18), each with
their own opinions, ideas, and personalities, He creates a great diversity.
God then commands these many members to live together in unity!
(NOTE: read 1 Cor 12:18 with the student. Help them to understand they do not choose what church they go to - remind them their will and self desires count for absolutely nothing. God places members where He desires - because He knows where we can be most useful in His church.)
This great diversity naturally leads to divisions and conflicts. Why would
God create the church with such natural tendencies to conflict?
Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but
associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. 17 Repay no one evil for
evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as
depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Rom 12:16-18
God wants us to live at ____peace with everyone.
How can we accomplish this?
Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, . . . that you stand fast in
one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, Philippians 1:27
We must live ____worthy of the ____Gospel of Christ.
(NOTE: explain conduct means lifestyle - how you live daily; and stand fast in one spirit with one mind is peace of unity)
How do these truths explain why God created the church with such
natural tendencies for conflict?
The only way a great diversity can live a peace with each other is to live worthy of the Gospel. In other words, we all have to practice what we preach - we must live our Christianity.
(NOTE: ask the student how knowing their primary purpose as Christian would help them live a peace with all members of the church. Help them apply - through love serve others, even your enemies to living at peace with all and building unity in the body)
What are some essentials of living worthy of the Gospel
that will lead to unity?
1. Live your Christianity!
As those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each
other, whoever has a complaint against any one; just as the Lord forgave you, so also
should you. And beyond all these things put on love which is the perfect bond of unity and
let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts to which indeed were called in one body and be
thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you with all wisdom teaching and
admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with
thankfulness in your hearts to God and whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the
name of the Lord Jesus Col 3:12-17
(NOTE: help the student to identify each of the underlined actions; help them understand what each means; emphasize love which is the perfect bond of unity - make sure you point out love is serving others; emphasize the importance of the word abiding in you; Help the student understand do all in the name of Jesus means to act in accordance with the authority, reputation, and character of Jesus.)
In the above text, circle the words or phrases which call for unity, and
underline the words or phrases which call for actions that produce unity.
Finish this statement: To build unity in my church, I must . . .
(NOTE: make sure student identifies practicing his/her Christianity - living it daily; help student to see he/she must apply what learn from Bible to relationships in church)
2. Grow to become a spiritually mature Christian.
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to
babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able
to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there
are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere
men? 1 Cor 3:1-3
Envy, strife and divisions are evidence that a church or individuals are
still ____babes in Christ . . . spiritually immature!
Read Rom 14:1-15:7. Write below how being a mature Christian will
help you avoid conflicts and divisions.
14:1 - be accepting of immature Christians; 14:4 not be judgmental and condemning; 14:10-12 - I know I will stand before God at judgment to give an account of my life - how lived my Christianity; 14:15 - don’t cause weaker Christian to stumble or sin; 14:17 - I know what is important in kingdom: righteousness and peace and joy; 14:19 (NOTE: emphasize this) pursue things make for peace - do everything I can to be at peace with people - avoid conflict; 15:1-3 - help weak - immature Christians - not please self but please others - build them up just like Christ did
Finish this statement: To build unity in my church, I must . . .
I must grow to spiritual maturity
3. Be humble in your dealings with others.
Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but
associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Romans 12:16
(NOTE: help student understand what true humility is, give examples, ie Jesus )
Finish this statement: To build unity in my church, I must . . .
I must learn and practice humility - never think I am better than anyone else
4. Value all members of the church equally.
And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; nor again the head to the
feet, "I have no need of you." 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which
seem to be weaker are necessary. . . .But God composed the body, having given
greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the
body, but that the members should have the same care 1 Cor 12:21-25
(NOTE: emphasize weak members in the church are necessary - remind student God has placed them in the body, thus without them the body is not complete; point out God does not want the body to be divided; every member should have the same care - importance to the body)
Finish this statement: To build unity in my church, I must . . .
I must value every member of church the same because I know God has placed them in the church and they are just as necessary as any member.
5. Give up the right to get even!
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is
possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not
avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will
repay," says the Lord. 20 Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give
him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." 21 Do not be overcome
by evil, but overcome evil with good. Rom 12:17-21
Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I
forgive him? Up to seven times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven
times, but up to seventy times seven Matt 18:22
Finish this statement: To build unity in my church, I must . . .
I must repay evil with good, never be vengeful, always willing to forgive
Read Matthew 5:9-12. Does God primarily intend for a peacemaker to be
one who is proactive in causing peace (i.e., one who works to prevent
conflict from ever happening). . . or . . . reactive in resolving conflict (i.e.,
one who works to settle existing conflicts)? What are your reasons?
God wants us to be proactive. God wants me to live at peace with others - not be affected by other people’s divisive actions; resisting being drawn into conflict, seeking never to give conflict a foothold
Do you think these principles of unity apply only to church or do they also
apply to but other relationships: family, spouse, friends, work, etc.?
all relationships
(NOTE: help student see these principles apply to their marriage, families, at work, all relationships)
What do you do when conflict happens?
Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him
alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 "But if he will not hear, take with
you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be
established.' 17 "And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses
even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. Matt 18:15-17
1st Step of solving conflict:
Go and talk to the ____person with whom you are in conflict.
Why do you think God would have you talk to this person alone before
talking with others?
So any conflict would remain between 2 people and not involve others
2nd Step of solving conflict
Take with you ____one or ____two to talk with the one whom you
are in conflict
What character of people should you take with you in this step.
Strong spiritually mature Christian who is respected in the church as a person of wisdom
3rd Step of Solving Conflict
Take the issues of the conflict before the ____church .
What person or persons should you contact in the church?
Pastor, deacons, or other people in leadership positions to make them aware of the conflict and ask their assistance in resolving the issues
God’s Purpose for Conflict and Unity in the Church
Read 1 Corinthians 11:19. What is the reason God allows divisions to
happen in His church?
Allows the church to know who is approved of God - who practices/lives their Christianity and who doesn’t
Read John 17:21-23. What is God’s ultimate purpose for unity?
When we are in unity/one as church - we are in unity with Father and Son - have closest most intimate relationship; we are also perfected in unity - ie as body we are made complete - everything God wants us to be; and the world will know God’s purposes and His Son
Read Genesis 11:6. What is the great advantage of unity?
When God’s people are unified - especially according to His will - nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them - a unified church is unstoppable in this world!