Week Twenty, Day One

Unity in the Church Body

Study Ephesians 4.

Include the following in your personal prayer time:

• Thank God for your brothers and sisters in Christ.
• Commit to love them in word, deed and attitude.
• My family Monday…

FOR FURTHER STUDY: Hebrews 10:24-25

Week Twenty, Day Two

Serving and Giving to your Church

Study 1 Peter 4:7-11 and 2 Corinthians 9:6-15.

Include the following in your personal prayer time:

• Ask God to create in you a generous heart.
• Thank God for those who have poured themselves out for you and commit to follow their example.
• Your church…

FOR FURTHER STUDY: Acts 2:43-44

Week Twenty, Day Three

“It’s hard sometimes to love everyone else in your church, especially when you don’t share the same views that they do or when people stay huddled up in their own little groups.”

Ashlynn, high school student

Living Peacefully with your Brothers and Sisters in Christ

Study Romans 14.

Include the following in your personal prayer time:

• Ask God to remind you that spiritual growth is a process every time you are tempted to judge others and stir up controversy over non-eternal issues.
• Commit to making the spiritual growth of your brothers and sisters a priority over the need to be “right.”
• Witness Wednesday…

FOR FURTHER STUDY: Romans 15:1-7

Week Twenty, Day Four

Straightening Things Out

As we learned yesterday, some issues that arise within the body are “disputable matters” and are best left alone to keep the peace. However, when sin and divisiveness creep in to your church, something must be done about it. The Bible is very clear about how such things should be handled.

Study Matthew 18:15-17.

Correcting a friend is never fun, but can work for the good of everyone involved if it is done right. If you ever find yourself excited about setting someone straight, you are not the person for the job or you have the wrong attitude for the job. In fact, it probably means that you think more of yourself than you should in that moment. Your correction will probably come off as harsh and judgmental. Only someone with a humble heart should correct a friend. It’s important that the person being corrected feels valued and loved by the one confronting them.

Study Galatians 6:1-5.

Include the following in your personal prayer time:

• Ask God to help you know when a brother or sister truly needs to be confronted or corrected and the wisdom to know how and when to do it.
• Commit to stand up for unity in the church over your own pride or ego.
• Thirsty Thursday…

FOR FURTHER STUDY: Mark 12:28-34

Week Twenty, Day Five

When You Need to be Corrected

Any father, who loves his child, disciplines his child. We are deeply loved by our Heavenly Father. Knowing that we make mistakes, we should expect to be corrected from time to time. Sometimes, God corrects us through His Holy Spirit, sometimes He uses the Bible and sometimes He uses other people.

Study Hebrews 12:7-11 and Proverbs 3:11-12.

Some people find it hard to take correction from others. When a brother or sister in Christ rebukes (corrects) you in love, resist the temptation to argue or to justify your actions. Recognize that the person may be God’s messenger and try to thank them for caring about you enough to risk an uncomfortable situation. When a brother or sister in Christ corrects you in the wrong way, do your best to look past their wrong attitude and listen to see whether what they have to say is true. Then let God deal with the pride in their heart as you deal with your issue.

Study Proverbs 9:8, 12:1, 15:31.

Include the following in your personal prayer time:

• Thank God for loving you enough to bring you back in line with His will when you pull away.
• Commit to receive correction with a humble heart and teachable spirit.
• Friends Friday…

FOR FURTHER STUDY: Titus 3:9-11

The Weekend

Suggested Reading: The book of Ruth

The story of Ruth has a lot to teach us about commitment and how to serve others even when we aren’t obligated to do so. As you read, check your own heart and let God challenge you to stay committed to and serve your brothers and sisters in Christ.

What was that last memory verse again? If you’ve got it down and want another to work on, choose one for yourself from the passages that you have studied lately. What verse stood out to you? What verse or passage would you like the Holy Spirit to whisper to you in the middle of your current life experience? Choose one and work on it just like the others.