Kingstanding SDA Church | Sabbath School| Unity Through Humility

Описание: Title: Unity Through Humility

Scripture reading: “Fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of
one accord, of one mind” (Philippians 2:2, NKJV).

Summary:

Unity is strength. But knowing what is true is not the same as doing it. We all fail
sometimes, despite our best efforts at unity. But that’s not the same as deliberately
undermining unity. No wonder, then, that as Paul continues writing to the Philippians, he wants them to be “of one accord, of one mind.”

Paul bases the necessity of unity on the teaching and example of Jesus. It’s a theme that we find throughout the New Testament and especially in the epistles. The origin of disunity in the universe stemmed from the pride and thirst for position and power of a single angel in heaven, a sentiment that spread quickly, even within a perfect
environment (see Isa. 14:12–14). It then gained a foothold in Eden through a similar
discontent with the rules God had put in place and the desire for rising to a higher
sphere than that which God had designed (Gen. 3:1-6).

This week we’ll look at the biblical basis for unity in the church, focusing especially on the amazing condescension of Jesus, the lessons we can gain from beholding Him, and how we can grow to be more like Him.

Further Thought:

“All the paternal love which has come down from generation to generation through the channel of human hearts, all the springs of tenderness which have opened in the souls of men, are but as a tiny rill to the boundless ocean when compared with the infinite, exhaustless love of God. Tongue cannot utter it; pen cannot portray it. You may meditate upon it every day of your life; you may search the Scriptures diligently in order to understand it; you may summon every power and capability that God has given you, in the endeavour to comprehend the love and compassion of the heavenly Father; and yet there is an infinity beyond. You may study that love for ages; yet
you can never fully comprehend the length and the breadth, the depth and the height, of the love of God in giving His Son to die for the world. Eternity itself can never fully reveal it. Yet as we study the Bible and meditate upon the life of Christ and the plan of redemption, these great themes will open to our understanding more and more.”—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 740.

“When we are receiving a training, as did Moses in the school of Christ, what shall we learn?—to become puffed up?—to have an exalted opinion of ourselves?—No, indeed.
The more we learn in this school, the more we shall advance in meekness and lowliness of mind. We are not to feel that we have learned everything worth knowing. We should put to the best use the talents God has given us, that when we are changed from mortality to immortality, we shall not leave behind that which we have attained, but may take it with us to the other side. Throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity, Christ and His work of redemption will be the theme of our study.”—Ellen G. White, Manuscript 36,
1885.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are ways that you have experienced for yourself the reality of God’s
love? In class, talk about the different ways you have come to know and
experience His love.

2. What exactly does it mean that Jesus came “in the likeness of men” (Phil.
2:7)? Compare Romans 8:3. Discuss these passages in light of each other.

3. What challenges to unity does the church in your area face? Whatever the
issues, why would a willingness to be humble, to not do anything through
“selfish ambition or conceit” (Phil. 2:3, NKJV), be a great way to at least start
working through the issues?

We hope you have a blessed day with us

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