Growing together in 2010

CELL MATTERS

Growing together in unity in 2010

OPENING QUESTIONS:

1. As a church, we are preparing for “Covenant Sunday” on January 31.  In preparation for that, we are looking at the covenant which we will be asked to sign.  “Covenant” is not a word we use everyday, so let’s begin by talking about different covenants that affect our lives. (ie.-marriage, labor contracts, insurance contracts, etc.)
2. What is the value of a covenant? 

GOING DEEPER:

1. Read I Corinthians 1:10-17.
2. What issue was the Apostle Paul addressing here in these verses?
3. What affect was a lack of agreement having on this church?
4. In verse 10, Paul says that we need to be “perfectly united in mind and thought”.  Do you think it is possible to be “perfectly” united?  Is perfect unity too high of a standard?  Why or why not?
5. Give an example from your own life of a time when you experienced unity.  What was it like? 
6. Give an example from your life when you experienced disunity.  What was that like?

A LOOK AT THE BEGINNING OF OUR COVENANT:

“Because I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord, and have demonstrated my commitment to Jesus by being baptized as a believer, and I am in agreement with the vision of New River Community Church , I now choose to unite with the New River Church family as a member for one year. 

This means that…”

Do you have any questions about any of these statements in the preamble? 

Now in our covenant we begin to spell out how we will behave.  The next part says:

 “I will, with God’s help, continue to grow personally in my love for Him…

…by regularly spending time alone with God praying to and worshipping Him. (Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 4:2)

…by studying His perfect Word, the Bible. (II Timothy 2:15)

…by faithfully participating in a Life Group and celebration services.

 (Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 10:25)

…by being equipped to serve by my pastors. (Ephesians 4:11-12)

Do you have any questions about any of these statements?  How can we as a group help one another to grow in our love for Jesus?

CLOSING PRAYER: