Bent Tree Church

1. Icebreaker: Are you more of a cat person, a dog person, neither, or both? Why? In the way you live, are you more an independent cat type or an interdependent dog type?

2. What insight, principle, or observation from Sunday’s sermon/message did you find to be most helpful, eye opening, or troubling?

3. Read Ephesians 4:1-6. In verse 2, of the “how to play well with others” attributes, which one do you practice well and which one do you need to improve on? In verses 4-6, we see 7 areas of “oneness.” Why do you think the Apostle Paul mentioned these in particular?

4. Pastor John mentioned 4 sources of authority: experience, tradition, intellect/reason and Scripture/the Bible. Before you were a Christ-follower, which source did you live by the most? How have of you let the Bible be more authoritative in your life since you became a Christ-follower?

5. Read 2 Peter 1:16-20. Also read Mark 9:2-9. Peter is referring to what’s known as Jesus’ Transfiguration. Even though Peter was an eyewitness to such an event, how is what is written of Jesus as Messiah in the Old Testament more confirming and validating than what Peter experienced?

6. Why is unity so important to experience true community in a local church? How would you explain the difference between unity and uniformity?

7. Read Ephesians 4:11-12. What are the 4 roles (offices) that God gives the church? As Christ-followers, we are called “saints.” On any given day, what do you feel more like, a saint or a sinner? How would seeing yourself in Christ as a saint affect the way you live life, practically speaking? What does “building up” a church and people look like?

8. Read Ephesians 4:13-16. According to verses 13-14, why is it important for a Christian to mature in their beliefs to the point that they land on what they believe? According to verse 16, how do we build the church “up in love”?

9.How can our group pray for you this week?