S.S.S. Study Biblical Apostleship Lesson 3

Family School at Faith Baptist Church

S.S.S. Study Biblical Apostleship

Week 3: Unity

Definition of unity: The state of being one; oneness. Unity may consist of a simple substance or existing being, as the soul; but usually it consists in a close junction of particles or parts, constituting a body detached from other bodies. Unity is a thing undivided itself, but separate from every other thing.

Importance: The phrase "one accord" is used thirteen times in God's word, eleven of which are found in the book of Acts. Many describing the state of the early church.

Acts 1:14, 2:1, 2:46, 4:24, 5:12, 15:25

It is very clear that God's church must have unity to be most effective in our task Matthew 18:20, when we do not have unity gaps, breaks, rifts are formed and are the perfect places for Satan, false teachers, and sowers of discord to attack. (Think red rover)

Opposite of unity is, Division: The act of dividing or separating into parts, any entire body. The state of being divided. That which divides or separates; that which keeps apart; partition. Disunion.

Proverbs 6:16-19 why does God hate those who sow discord?

Results of Division: Matthew 12:25, one key tactic that Rome used in its military conquests was to charge enemy lines with their heavy Calvary right in the center of the enemy, the goal was to split the enemy into two separate forces which could be more easily defeated. If an army is united and moving forward together in the same direction then the only place the enemy can attack is the front where they can be most easily repelled. If the army is divided they have to defend multiple fronts.

How does this compare to God's church? If we are united against some sin, and disputing about others, there is a gap in the defense, if some are moving forward for God and some are comfy in the pews, there is a gap.

Best way to have unity:

Selflessness: A willingness to follow, and to be a servant, instead of being the served. Philippians 2:3, Ephesians 4:22-25.

One leader, one focus, one plan: A people with many leaders, many directions, and many plans, will go nowhere, and accomplish nothing. Whereas when there is one plan, one direction, and one leader, the people cannot be scattered, divided, or lost. 2nd Peter 1:16-21

The question is, who is leading your life? Who's plan do you follow? Who set you in the direction your heading right now? Jesus Christ? Yourself? Or someone else entirely?

Love for the brethren: 1st John 3:14, Romans 12:10, Hebrews 13:1 It is sad but true that if you have a grudge against a brother in Christ, it will affect the church as a whole. It is not possible to work in unison with someone whom you hate or whom hates you.

You may think that this lesson is simple, it is, that it's all things you already know, and it very well may be, the thing that is hardest about living (always) in unity is not understanding the doctrine or the reasons why. In fact it is easy to understand the benefits of unity and consequences of disunity. What is hard is remembering them when a brother offends you, the hard part isn't knowing it, it is living it.

Homework: Finish last weeks homework on doctrine, also write a minimum one paragraph explaining (in your own words) the doctrine of sacrificial living.