A Fellowship that Honors Christ Pt. 2
This passage teaches us what gospel-centered unity looks like. It compels us, based on the benefits we have in Christ, to strive for a unity and love grounded in the truth that can only be achieved through a willingness to view each other in the best possible light and set aside our own preferences for the sake of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
Outline
The Encouragement
The Plea
The Marks
Study Questions
1:27 exhorts us to live lives worthy of the gospel.
What does it mean to live a life worthy of the gospel?
Why is this so important?
How can Christians who disagree still obey that command together? (see 1 Cor 2:16)
The definition given for thinking the same is “actively striving to achieve common understanding and genuine agreement.”
What mutual foundation needs to be understood and in place as Christians discuss and disagree? (see Rom 12:5)
How should our shared essential beliefs frame our approach to discussing things we disagree on?
What attitudes should rule our discussion? (see Phil 2:3-4; 1 Cor 13)
The first expression of thinking the same is “having the same love.”
How does maintaining the same love promote unity in thinking?
What is the source of this love?
How is it maintained among brothers and sisters who disagree?
Being “one-souled” is an important part of unity.
What must we be willing to set aside in order to promote this kind of unity?
How can Christians who disagree on certain things still be one-souled?
Is it possible for Christians who disagree to still be intent on one purpose?
2:3-4 lists the actions necessary for a church to be of the same mind. It teaches us that unity is also about what we do, and not just how we think.
How do the attitudes commanded in 2:2 motivate the action commanded in 2:3-4?
What must be resisted in order to have a fellowship that honors Christ?
What example of this kind of thinking and action is given to us in 2:5-11?