Happy Tuesday to you & yours. I hope your week is going great and this message finds you well.
This study guide is based on my recent article, How We Are Designed. Please click here if you have not read it or feel you need a review. The article is based on Ephesians 2:17-22. I also recommend you have a Bible, paper, and pen with you as you work through this study guide. Take notes and reflect as God leads you.
This study challenges believers to focus on unity, emphasizing that peace and inclusion are not optional but foundational to the church’s mission. “The peace of Jesus unifies all relationships, especially in the church community.”
Have a great week!
Opening Question:
Think of a time when you felt like an outsider. How did that experience impact you? Reflect on how this aligns with the experience of the early believers.
Key Takeaways:
Christ's Peace Breaks Barriers: Christ is our peace, making peace and proclaiming peace, not only as the absence of hostility but as complete reconciliation with God and with one another.
Unified in Diversity: The church is a sanctuary for all—Jews, Gentiles, and everyone else. We are designed to be a community, a unified body where differences in culture, race, or social status do not divide us.
Identity in Christ: Our identity in Christ transcends all earthly labels. Christ’s death and resurrection make us part of one family—fellow citizens and members of God’s household.
Peace as a Theological Necessity: As seen in the biblical concept of shalom, true peace involves wholeness and harmony in our relationships. It is a core element of the church's mission, not just a lofty ideal.
Discussion Questions:
Paul’s Description of the Church: Paul refers to the church as “fellow citizens” and “members of the household of God.” How does this challenge our modern views of church membership and community, where we often prioritize individualism over communal identity?
Relating to God and Others: The article emphasizes that we cannot separate our relationship with God from our relationship with others. Reflect on moments in your life where this has been evident. How does this principle challenge us in today’s society, where division is common?
Barriers in the Modern Church: The passage highlights the breaking down of walls between Jews and Gentiles. What barriers exist in today’s churches (e.g., political, economic, racial)? How can we work to dismantle these and create true unity?
Diversity Without Division: Discuss the statement, “Distinction and uniqueness do not have to lead to division.” How can the church celebrate diversity in a way that strengthens our unity in Christ?
Peace Beyond Feelings: The peace mentioned in Ephesians 2:17-22 is more than just a sense of calm. It is about relationships, reconciliation, and justice. What does this kind of peace look like in practical terms for the church today?
Studying and Practicing Peace: The article stresses that the church should be a place where people "study and practice peace." What practical ways can we embody peace in our church community and the world?
Practical Applications:
Address Barriers: Identify one barrier—whether personal, relational, or communal—that exists within your church or life. Take one step this week to begin breaking it down, whether by starting a conversation, challenging a stereotype, or practicing inclusion.
Intentional Hospitality: This week, invite someone who is different from you (culturally, economically, politically) into your circle as a way of practicing peace. Reflect on how this act of hospitality builds unity.
Reflect on Your Identity in Christ: Spend time journaling about how your identity in Christ shapes your relationships. How can this identity guide you to foster deeper connections and peace with those around you?
Brainstorm: Consider how your church can better demonstrate unity across social, racial, and cultural lines. Pick one actionable idea to present to your church leadership.
Closing Reflection:
Reflect on the question: How can I better embody Christ's peace in my relationships this week?
Consider how peace is not just an internal feeling but a call to reconciliation and unity with others, especially within the church community.
Prayer:
Close by praying for unity in your church. Ask God to guide your church to become an instrument of His peace, breaking down barriers and fostering deeper unity within the body of Christ.