Weekend Wrap-up
Theme of the Week: Beyond 'What's in It for Me?'
Saturday, April 9, 2005
 1 of 1
How does God make believers grow up into Christ? The answer, Paul says in his letter to the Ephesians, is that He forms us into a body—a group of individuals united in their purpose and love for each other and for the Lord. If one person stumbles, the rest of the group is there to pick him up and help him walk with God again. The group witnesses to God's truth as each member carries out his special role.
Interact with God's Word
Ephesians 4:4-6,Ephesians 4:11-16
- What is the body of Christ that all believers belong to (v. 12)?
- What two family characteristics that we share does Paul mention in verse 4?
- What is the special assignment of those in leadership roles (v. 12)?
- What is the assignment of all members of this body (vv. 13, 15)?
- What are the marks (v. 6) of a healthy church?
- What is required of the members to achieve this ideal?
- Do you have a sense for what role you are being fitted to fill?
Spend Time in Prayer
Ask God to reveal to you what your "own special work" in the church should be, and enable you to perform it in a way that will contribute to your local congregation "measuring up."
Ephesians 4:4-6, 11-16
4 We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future.
5 There is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6and there is only one God and Father, who is over us all and in us all and living through us all.
11 He is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.
12 Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ,
13 until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different or because someone has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like the truth.
15 Instead, we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.
16 Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Copyright © 2005 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity. 1 of 1
As Your disciple, Lord, I recognize I can't remain detached from Your church. Help me to truly connect.
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