Birmingham Citadel
Salvation Army

Birmingham Citadel Band Bible Study Day 2

29.05.2016

Here is the Bible Study the Band will be looking at today. You are welcome to follow each day and study with us.

Sunday 29^th May

The body of Christ

READ: Ephesians 4:1-6

Unity in the body

One of the challenges of living a life in Christ is that we are immediately joined with other people who are also ‘in Christ’. For the loners amongst you there is no ‘going it alone’ or living in isolation. How difficult can it really be to get along with other people who are also united in Christ? It may be tougher than you think …for there will be times we might not find it easy to connect with or even like other members of the body.

It has been said:

Unity is not a general spirit of friendliness or camaraderie nor is it some common aim or a series of aims, it is the product of the cross and God’s work in Christ.

Whilst Christ brings us together in a spirit of unity Paul is very mindful of our human weaknesses and gives us some useful tips on how to get along.

Be patient with each other, making allowances for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves with peace.

Although we might share a common bond through our relationship with Christ this does not prevent our human frailties from rearing their ugly heads from time to time. Conflict is inevitable and is the greatest challenge to unity in the body of Christ.

If we are going to achieve unity we must work to maintain unity of the Spirit binding ourselves with peace.

REFLECT:

What part of today’s reading challenged you?

(It can be a verse, a phrase or just a word)

What is God saying to you through this passage?

RESPOND:

How are you going to live differently because of what God is saying to you?

Give thanks for someone who has encouraged or inspired you in the body of Christ.

What are the conflicts you need to resolve so you can keep yourself united in the Spirit?