Nov 22: Unity of purpose

We studied Philippians 1:27 – 2:4.

Looking at groups we have belonged to, we found that short-term or narrow goals are easier to work toward than long-term or broad goals. Firm commitment of the group members makes reaching goals possible.

Paul exhorts the Philippians to live as citizens of God’s kingdom, which requires constantly showing Christ’s love, and acting with humility. Without the love of God, openness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and humility, unity of purpose can go wrong.

For the last study question, we had choices!

One group decided to plan a party, inviting Albert Schweitzer, Mother Teresa, Gandhi, and the Apostle Paul, as people who exemplify unselfish caring. The party will be a banquet for Food Bank recipients and people who live in shelters. With a focus on community gardens, the centerpieces at the banquet will be fruit decorations, which the guests can take with them to eat!

Another group decided to examine concrete ways that our church tries to show the four traits Paul lists in verse 2:1.

1. Encouragement from being united with Christ: prayer chain, meals for sick and bereaved, praying in church for others, the uplifting music program

2. Comfort from Christ’s love: visiting people in the hospital, mission works like taking meals to the men’s shelter, Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes, youth group mission trips

3. Fellowship with the Spirit: praying together, small groups, youth group, Bible studies like C3

4. Tenderness and compassion: individual attention, visitors and new members feel welcomed by members approaching them, people who are sick or have trouble getting to church receive cards and visits

Two groups chose to distribute Mrs. McGillicuddy’s (fictional) bequest. One group chose to provide summer camp scholarships to 50 children, because they felt that by teaching children, the word can spread in a diverse manner. The other group chose to pay for a medical team to go to Africa, because they felt that this would reach not only the people being treated medically, but could change the perspective of the medical team itself. It responds to verses 29-30, by pushing us beyond our comfort zone.

Throughout today’s lesson we discovered how difficult it is to live up to these instructions of Paul to be unified and act with humility.