Lesson Focus: Cultivating a Spirit of Unity

1.Read Ephesians 4:1-2
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

2.Studying Ehpesians 4:1-2
Paul invites believers to look more at the things they have in common instead of what divides us. Unity doesn’t just happen, we have to work at it especially when strong personalities are present and involved. When we think of married life, family life, church life, or any atmosphere or activity that requires working together in order to achieve desired goals or results where a spirit of unity is important, we will have to watch for and fight against the contrary spirit of disunity to enter and take control.
Paul says in order to have unity we must be humble, gentle (v2), patient, make allowances for each other’s faults and make every effort to keep ourselves united in the Spirit. People desiring unity to prevail must learn to put their own agendas aside and do what is best for all and not just one, two, or themselves; even submitting to the Spirit of God which is a strong, unifying Spirit and presence. Where disunity is allowed to exist so do the spirits that operate in darkness, promote dislike, jealously, pride, harshness, and impatience.
For the believer concerned about following Christ and glorify God, there is only one way to go: choosing the path of unity. Some days are easier than others, some people are easier than others but every day and in every atmosphere the Holy Spirit is ready and available to help and when we call on him he will not only enter in he will cause the spirit of disunity to flee from our presence and activities.

3.Meditating on Ephesians 4:1-2
Being imprisoned did not keep Paul from serving the Lord. He wanted believers to live their lives in such a way they would glorify God and serve the greater good by adopting the spirit and attitude of unity. As you meditate on Ephesians 4:1-2 what about Paul’s urging will direct or influence your thoughts and mindset concerning unity? What relationships might be effected by Paul’s exhortation?

4.Praying Ephesians 4:1-2
Lord, living in a world where the character trait of humility, doing things for the common and overall good, and unity are hard to hold come by let me become someone who desires to cultivate and seeks to employ unity wherever I can. Amen