Being in Common vs. Being in Christ-Built Unity

Sermon Discussion Questions: November 23, 2025 Being in Common vs. Being in Christ-Built Unity Pastor Gary Shelton, Desire of All Nations Church Questions marked with a P are primary to the sermon. If you are not planning on answering all the questions, answer these first. Call to Worship: Psalm 100:4, Psalm 122:1, John 4:24 1. Psalm 100:4 and 122:1 convey enthusiasm. We all know how we want to dress for service. How do we become enthused? 2. “Spirit and truth” is one of the most quoted phrases in the Bible. What did it mean to a devout Old Testament Jew, and what does it mean to us now? 3. P How do these verses relate to the principles conveyed during Pastor Gary's sermon? Sermon: Romans 12:3-8 1. St. Basil said: "When we live our lives in isolation, what we have is unavailable and what we lack is unprocurable." a. Give a scriptural example of a congregation, working in community, providing for someone or some group in need. b. P Share an example of how being in community afforded you the opportunity to use your gift/gifts. 2. Pastor Gary said that the book of Romans provides ample guidance on transitioning from of life of useless and lost to fruitful and saved. Share some scriptures from this book that provide that guidance. 3. P In Romans 12:3, Paul makes a transition from having gifts to using gifts to serve. How, as a congregation, can we ensure that people have the opportunity to use their gifts? 4. In Romans 12:4-5, Paul makes a comparison between the interdependence of the organs or the body, and the interdependence of the members of a congregation. a. Give an example from scripture of someone with a “lesser” or “lowly” role who made a substantial contribution his/her fellow Jews or Christians. b. What roles in a congregation tend to be little-appreciated, though essential? 5. P “Community” is a combination of two words: _____________ and _____________. 6. P What are some other ways we can celebrate our common salvation (Jude 3) and faith (Titus 1:4) with Desire of All Nations and Word of Hope churches? 7. What is the difference between having things in common and being unified? 8. P What are some ways the early church established unity between Jews and Gentiles? 9. Hebrews 12:24 encourages us to “stir up” (ESV) one another to love and good works. How does a sense of unity help us to do that? 10. AI Question: How do we obey the command in Romans 12:1 to …present your bodies as a living sacrifice... 11. P How does Romans 12:1-2 lay the ground work for the sermon verses, Romans 12:3-12.