TOGETHER
We are better together! – it’s a well known saying but it is also a truth that we need to unpack.
We are not created to do life alone. God did not design us that way. From creation He designed us to be apart of relationships. Whether we like it or not, we are called to be connected. Out togetherness is something God wants to not only invest in, but to bless.
David writes in Psalm 133:1-3 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard of Aaron, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountain of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded a blessing, life forevermore.”
God wants to add more and blessing to our world and one of the ways that happens is unity.
This verse tells us that unity holds a special blessing. Unity is a choice; it isn’t found by just agreeing on everything, it isn’t a result of sharing the same viewpoint or opinion, but it is sharing a common vision and purpose. Unity comes when we decide to stay united, even where there is potential for disagreement.
We need to discover the unity that is like a precious oil for all our relationships – from family, to friendship, to work life. Unity removes the strain to replace it with a sense of ease. When we stand to build with unity at the centre, we attract a blessing. Through unity we can see progress of Gods ways being outworked where previously they may have been prevented.
DISCUSSION
- Look at all aspect of your life. Discuss areas you want to see more unity in. Be honest and open with where you are at.
- Discuss what it could look like to start to sow seeds of unity into these areas.
- What can we do to help us stick together and walk through the good and the bad united?
In the natural we don’t put our hand in someone else’s hand without a mutual agreement as to where you are heading; you can only take someone by the hand when you both have an understanding that you are walking in the same direction. Often, we can walk alongside people because our paths have crossed or our lives have somehow interacted, we can sometimes be careless or casual about who we are walking with. However, real power comes when we move from casual connection to deliberate commitment, when we join hands with those our hearts are aligned with.
Let’s be intentional about who we join hands with. That we are heading in the right direction with the purpose and vision that God has desired for our future. We need to be willing to let go of the hands that are holding us back or derailing us.
DISCUSSION
- Identify areas where we can be more intentional about who we are connecting with. What adjustments need to be made to go in the direction where our hand and heart align?
- As a group discuss your strengths and the part that you play within our church family. Encourage each other over which each of you bring.
Moving forward together takes time and willingness, we need to commit to fight for that unity and walk together despite the challenges along the way. But remember, His blessing is in the unity, don’t do it on your own. We really are better together!
What choices are we making in our life that involve others in the direction we are heading? It is important to be unified in the life values we build on and the way we do relationships.
This unity flows throughout all our lives, from raising children to how we work through financial decisions. In all these things the more we unite the more we connect and the more we can commit to unite in our responses and choices.
DISCUSSION
- Take time to pray over areas in our life that we want to see a new level of unity and write them down.
- What do you think could stop you from achieving unity in these areas?
- Share wins that you’ve had in the area of unity. How can we commit to help and celebrate each others wins?
This week’s Sunday’s message included some interesting stats around when it comes to being united in purpose and vision with the church.
Check out for group discussion https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/christianity-not-bad/