Seeing a shared world. (Ephesians 4-5)

Seeing a shared world (Part 3)
Bring a dish to share
1) In my culture, food brings people together. In Fiji, people talk over a drink --kava bowl. What brings people together to share life in your world.
2) Paul talks about coming together through an attitude change. (Eph 4: 1-3)
3) Do you see that working in your world?


Why do we meet together?
Read Eph 4:4-13
Christ works in ministering unity (hope, lord, faith, baptism)
Christ then gives us gifts to help build the body as well.
1) How does being part of a group help you discover which gifts you have?
2) What do you think the "fullness of the measure of Christ" means?
3) How do spiritual friends help?
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Ephesians 4-5:5 -- Walk
Scenes that unite people

Tragic and joyful events of emotional intensity bring people together to a particular time and space.

The Internet brings people together momentarily to share a screen event from different time zones and geographical spaces. But do they connect? What does unity and connection mean? 

From the previous studies, we learn that there is an interdependence, collectivity that is non-mechanical--this is the biblical notions of unity. Each of us is unique and contributes in unique ways to our shared life together. In other words, we are not cogs in a machine, a number in a crowd, a contributing voice in cyberspace...our lives are unique, our lives count. Yay! Hang on everyone's life counts even the people in your group whom you don't like. Stink! God given unity occurs as each of us try to live a life worthy of the calling we have received, together--the catch phrase is to WALK WORTHY.


Dave Meslin on TED talks says it well, "A heroic effort is a collective effort , its imperfect (ie its not very glamourous, It doesn't suddenly start and suddenly end, it is an ongoing process your whole life) and most importantly its voluntary. It comes from within, it is about following your dream (God's call), uninvited (invited thru' this verse) and working with others to make those dreams come true."


Paul pleads that:

i) Our character and behaviour can unify a group

ii) God’s desire is for unity and is working towards unity

iii) A diversity of gifts each contribute to unity and maturity of the group—in other words WALK WORTHY AND WALK THE TALK

1) Because often well-meaning Christian hold firmly to views that are contested by other equally fervent believers, for the unity in Christ to be preserved, we need qualities of humility, meekness, patience and bearing with one another in love. Unpack how each quality could be lived out in your group or flat or hostel?

a) Humility (v2)

b) Gentleness or meekness (v2) Hint: not the same as weakness but strength under control.

c) Patience (v2)

d) Bearing with one another in love (v2)

2) Why do you think Paul talks about character or attitude change as leading to racial unity as opposed to a structural or organizational change? Think of examples where you have been forced to interact with people who are very different from you. How did you feel? (Skip this question if you feel uncomfortable talking about it) Why do you think being the odd one out is sometimes better for you than being part of the crowd?

3) Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace v3. From your own experience, what do you think the qualities of a peace-maker (in relation to reconciling  different races) are? 

4) Then  Paul brings God into the picture again God the Father is our shared Father (v6) and in charge, orchestrates and empowers the body of Christ.

Christ works in ministering unity (hope, lord, faith, baptism)

Christ then gives us gifts to help build the body as well.

Do you know which gifts you have? How would you go about testing your gifts?

5) What do all these gifts have in common? (v11-13)

Why is this important to aim for unity and maturity in Christ? (v14)

WALKING THE TALKING

How would you paraphrase this chapter in your context? Here is one version.

Our unity in Christ grows and develops as we walk the talk even as our diverse gifts, race, temperaments, cultures and backgrounds contributes to our fullness in Christ.

6) In 4:20 Jesus is the subject of our study, the teacher and even the learning atmosphere. What does (v22-24) say we are taught? Discuss what the turning point (v23) “to be made new in the attitude of your mind” mean in practice.

7) What is considered the old self (C4:25- C5:5)

8) What is considered the new self?

 Here Stan Walker talks about how he walks his talk as a singer and he is able to do so because his younger siblings hold him accountable. Many times walking the talk is easier with other people walking along side us.

9) Are there parts of your old self which you find hard to Change? Would you like to make some goals and get others to hold you accountable? Or start a blog to share your journey.

Discussion for a multicultural group
Here are two different cultural attitudes towards crisis:

Singaporean: I need to plan ahead; resolve issues quickly and not let them fester. I will conduct a study, ask for expert advice, plan in advance to avoid problems that will occur. I get really upset when people don't stick to the best plan available.


Kiwi: She'll be right. ....it'll be right as rain.... Do it yourself, mate....get a couple of mates around....will be done in half a day (taken from a few ads). I think that maybe, just maybe what SIFE says about Entrepreneurs applies to Kiwis in general.....

SIFE Waikato:

Kiwis usually have four characteristics:
1. They perform best in times of chaos.
2. They wait until the very last minute to finish projects.
3. They need to have an adrenal rush, like a big opportunity or their backs against the wall, before their creativity kicks into place.
4. They are motivated by goals that seem unreachable.

If you are Kiwi, how do you feel about this description of you? What are the limitations of any description of cultural groups. You might like to do a facebook search of the cultural heritage of every one in your group.


and towards status:

Tongan: At home, there is  the king, the nobles, and the commoners. The Matapule,or "talking chiefs," are associated with the king or a noble and who may or may not hold estates. People respect those with high status and expect them to be responsible and return favours. Even within families, the status given to you is important.

Kiwi: In NZ, we are egalitarian which means we treat everyone the same. You prove yourself before respect is given. Being a good Kiwi bloke is important. Not. ( Non-Kiwi blokes might like to check out http://bofh.ntk.net/KiwiBlokes/index.php)

How would people who are from extreme ends of the spectrum irritate each other? How would Ephesians 4:2 help?

Pray that we look away from ourselves and the smallness of our own understanding, and look up together at Christ and see in him the bread of life; the substance of our hope. The one Being yet three persons which binds each unique individual together until we reflect God's maturing love.

Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ

 ¹ As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. ² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ³Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

 ⁷ But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. ⁸ This is why it^[a] says:

   “When he ascended on high,
   he took many captives
   and gave gifts to his people.”^[b]

 ⁹ (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions^[c]? ¹⁰ He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) ¹¹ So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, ¹² to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

 ¹⁴ Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. ¹⁵ Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Instructions for Christian Living

 ¹⁷ So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. ¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. ¹⁹ Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

 ²⁰ That, however, is not the way of life you learned ²¹ when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³ to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

 ²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ²⁶ “In your anger do not sin”^[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold. ²⁸ Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

 ²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 5

 ¹ Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children ² and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

 ³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. ⁵For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.^[e]

Footnotes:

1. Ephesians 4:8 Or God
2. Ephesians 4:8 Psalm 68:18
3. Ephesians 4:9 Or the depths of the earth
4. Ephesians 4:26 Psalm 4:4 (see Septuagint)
5. Ephesians 5:5 Or kingdom of the Messiah and God