Empowerment Zone
Mitchell Memorial Church Bible Institute
Dr. W.L. Mitchell, Senior Pastor/Teacher
The Importance of Church Unity
Class Overview
The purpose of this class is to encourage church growth and development by concentrating on unity — coming together as one. Participants obtain a better grasp of God's command; focus on purpose and proper positioning; and become aware of the tactics often used to cause division. Students will be equipped with practical life tools to be successful in promoting harmony and encouraging church expansion.
Syllabus
Behold The People Is One.
This introductory class performs an assessment of participants and establishes measurable goals. Immediately it delves into God's command of unity and provides definition.
Where Do I Fit?
Building upon the principle that "In unity everyone has a place", this class awakens the participants to identifying their gifting. In addition, the class encourages students to search how their individuality supports the ideal of unity.
A Bond That Shall Not Be Broken.
It is clear that there are always forces working against unity. This class helps to identify some common pitfalls and provide practical lessons to successfully overcome challenges.
Together We Stand.
In review of the material covered in the classes, this final session reinforces the underlined theme growth and development. Participants are refreshed to lock into the vision of leadership and expand its impact through their God-given burden. Students will move forward with new insight and promote the ideal of unity.
Assessment/Evaluation
There will pre/post test given as well as homework assignments. In addition, a post-instructor evaluation will be provided along with a course evaluation.
Proposed Materials Used
Holy Bible; The Purpose Drive Life, Rick Warren; Overcoming Communication Barriers, H. Wayland Cummings/Charles Somerville; Helping Church Workers Succeed, D-B Heusser; Total Church Life, Darrell Robinson.
Instructors: Eld. Adrian Warren
The Importance of Church Unity Behold The People Is One
1. Same place, same language, same motive
2. Ability to bear each other burdens.
a. An environment of trust
B. Save yourself. Acts 2:40
II. The Command - You were created to have fellowship. Matt 22:37-40 A. The most important lesson.
Gal 5:14-15
B. The oneness of the Church. John 17:20-23
C. Bible knows nothing of solitary saints.
I Cor 12:12; Eph 2:21; 3:6; 4:16; Col 2:19; I Thes 4:17
III. You have to strive to keep it Eph 4:3
A. Be not ignorant - forgive. 2Cor2:10-ll
B. It takes sacrifice.
1John3:16; Gal6:2
IV. No one is indispensable. Rom 12:4-5
Introduce our next lesson: Where do I fit?
Point to Ponder: I need others in my life.
Homework: What one step can I take today to connect with another believer at a more genuine heart to heart?
The Importance of Church Unity
Spiritual Gifts
God gives gifts to the body to supply every need and to fulfill every function. The following is the list of nineteen gifts and a brief interpretation of them. These gifts can be referenced in Eph 4:11; Ro 12:6-8; 1 Cor 12:28-30; and 1 Peter 4:8-10.
1. Apostles-Those sent out from our Lord. Some apply this to missionaries who cross cultural barriers with the Gospel.
2. Prophesy-Those who receive a message from God and declare it.
3. Evangelist-Those who bear the good news of Jesus to the lost.
4. Pastors-Those who feed and nurture the people of God.
5. Teachers-The ability to clarify God's truth; to understand it and present it to others in such a way that they can understand.
6. Helps-An ability to serve, to meet needs, to help.
7. Government/Leadership-An ability to administer programs, to organize, to lead people.
8. Exhortation-An ability to encourage others, to stimulate them to action.
9. Mercy-The ability to discern the needs in the lives of others and to feel for and with others; sympathy.
10. Giving-The ability to earn money and to give it to the right places at the right lime in God's work.
11. Miracles-The ability to be used of God in mighty, supernatural works and occurrences.
12. Healing-The ability to be used of God to minister to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of a person.
13. Tongues-The ability to speak another language, using it to communicate the Gospel.
14. Interpretation of Tongues-The ability to interpret languages.
15. Discerning of Spirits-The perception to the true attitudes and spirit of a person.
16. Words of Wisdom-The ability to understand and apply what one knows; to do and say the right thing.
17. Words of Knowledge-The ability to understand and know facts and details that are not
apparent.
18. Faith-The ability to believe God and allow God to work mightily.
19. Hospitality-The ability to receive people, to entertain and minister to their needs.
There is no evidence that this list of gifts is meant to be conclusive. There may well be many other gifts God gives the body for His service. There are most certainly differing arrangements or clusters of gifts in individual members' lives. Regardless of the gift, the purpose is for the building up of the Body of Christ. *
Use this list as an aid. Let God speak to you regarding how you have been blessed and how you are to bring better service to the body.
* Total Church Life, Darrell Robinson, pg. 118-119.
The Importance of Church Unity
A Bond That Shall Not Be Broken
I. Unity requires commitment. Eph 4:3
A. You have to endeavor to cultivate it. Ro 12:18
1. Honesty, Humility, Courtesy, Confidentiality, Frequency
II. So many times we forget. Acts 15:36-41 A.Love the neighbor as yourself.
III. How to restore a Relationship
A. Talk to God before you talk to the Person
1. Take initiative. Matt 5:23-24;
B. Confess your part of the conflict Matt 7:5
C. Attack the problem not the person.
1. Cooperate as much as possible. Eph 4:29
2. Emphasize reconciliation not resolution. Ro 12:18
IV. Protect Your Church
A. Focus or what we have in common. Ro 14:19
B. Be realistic with your expectations. Eph 4:2
C. Choose to encourage rather than criticize.
D. Refuse to listen to gossip.
PRACTICES GOD'S METHOD-Matt 18:15-17.
Point to Ponder: Unity is the soul of fellowship. Destroy it, and you take the heart out of Christ's Body. It is my responsibility to protect unity in the church.
Homework: What I can I do to protect unity in the church right now? Who do I need to restore a broken relationship with?