Return to Unity

1. Return to Unity August 16

2. Remember when … • When have you felt united with others in a common cause? • The early church were united together in a common cause • Today we look at the nature of that unity and its results • Walking with Christ will bring us together in unity and purpose.

3. Listen for what happened when God answered prayer. Acts 4:23-24 (NIV) On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. … 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

4. Unity in Prayer • What led to this gathering to pray? • What phenomena confirmed that God heard their prayers? • What happened on an occasion where you were amazed by the power of prayer? • How can your faith in God be expressed through the prayers you pray?

5. Unity in Prayer • What does it mean when it says here, that they were “filled with the Holy Spirit”? • What would be evidences today that a person is filled with the Holy Spirit? • How can the Holy Spirit equip the Body of believers, the Church to meet needs and answer prayers?

6. Listen for how needs were met in the early days of the church. Acts 4:32-33 (NIV) All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.

7. Unity in Practice and Witness • What attitude did the believers have toward one another? • What do you think was the motivation for their giving? • What are the benefits to us in being generous, sharing people? • Why are we as a society sometimes hesitant to go to others, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ when we have a need?

8. Unity in Practice and Witness People today are more willing to give today than in the past. • Agree or disagree? • In most cases we do not have the same attitudes about our giving as did the church at Jerusalem … How could our giving be an act of worship?

9. Listen for who was the example contributor. Acts 4:34-37 (NIV) There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

10. Listen for who was the example contributor. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.

11. Unity in Sacrifice • Why were there no needy persons among the members of the early church? • On what basis were funds distributed? • Who was Joseph? • What is your initial reaction to these verses?

12. Unity in Sacrifice • Where does generosity need to become more evident in the life of our church? • Note some of the issues that must be faced • Avoid contributing to laziness • Inspect real needs without invading privacy • Avoid givers who show off • Main point: People are more important than material possessions

13. Application • Surrender your will • Ask God to reveal to you anything you are doing or not doing that is detrimental to unity in your church • Repent of your sin • Tell God your desire to walk closely in unity with Him and with fellow church members

14. Application • Unite in prayer • Invite two or three friends to gather with you once a week to pray specifically for unity and purpose in your church • Ask the Lord how your prayer group can promote unity and love in your congregation

15. Application • Share • Talk with members of your class about what they can do to help meet needs within your church body • Invite a ministry leader to help you identify needs • Pray about making this an ongoing ministry

16. Return to Unity August 16