Read Romans 12:9-10,16
There is a somewhat overused saying: “The family that _________ together, stays together.” I’ve heard various words used in the blank: prays, reads, plays, walks, etc. Really it doesn’t matter what the word is, so long as the family is doing something together it is more likely to be unified. They will have a higher purpose behind their activity that unifies their thinking. As we engage with each other so we learn to appreciate one another.
In Romans12, Paul urges us to be devoted to one another. It comes in the context of verses 1 & 2 – “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Because of God’s love and mercy to us in salvation, we are to present ourselves to be God’s people who are living for His glory and united in life for His purposes. This is the higher purpose behind our need to love one another sincerely. Our relationship in Christ and in God’s mercy gives us a common bond that might not otherwise exist. It causes us to think differently about each other.
Our love for one another, driven along by our relationship in Christ, must be sincere. It is love that comes from the heart and is not an artificial mask that we put on with one another. Therefore, Paul says we are to “be devoted to one another”.
When someone is described as devoted, they are involved, loving, honouring, faithful and true to their relationship with the person or entity to which they are devoted. As followers of Jesus we are to be involved with each other in a way that is honouring and loyal to Jesus, and showing love and trust to each other. Paul says you are to, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honour one another above yourselves. … Live in harmony with one another.”
Living as men and women who love the Lord Jesus our Saviour, let us always remember who we are in Him and that other Christians also share that relationship with Jesus. It will be no trouble to honour other believers before ourselves when we see them as fellow recipients of the grace of God in Christ Jesus. It will be a pleasure to honour them. Their strengths and weaknesses will complement and enhance our strengths and weaknesses to make the Church more equipped for service to Jesus.
Being devoted (loving, honouring, looking out for, loyal) to one another in the Lord means that we will bring out the best in one another and make us glad to serve the Lord standing shoulder to shoulder. In this, we will appreciate one another and the strength we each bring to the whole. We will be less inclined to be judgemental and more inclined to be building up one another in the Lord.
Where there is unity and devotion to one another in the church the Lord is honoured, then the world will sit up and take notice. For this devotion is another form of loving one another to which the Lord Jesus said, “by this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13:35) ”
Prayer:
Using today’s passage and the reading notes spend time in prayer.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
· Pray that we might be like Jesus in our loyalty to the Father and devotion to one another.
· Praise the Lord for His perfect love in Christ Jesus and that we share in this love.
· Pray for Christians who live in places where persecution and imprisonment are real weapons of the enemy to cause fear and division within the Church. Pray that they will have courage, perseverance and continued trust in Christ as they live by faith each day.
Discussion Questions For Families and Groups
1. Who is someone you know who shows devotion to the church family?
2. How different would the church be if everyone was devoted to each other in the church? What would be the difference ?
3. How can you nurture devotion to one another amongst your friends?
P r e p a r a t i o n f o r C e l l
Read this week’s passage and jot
down any problems or issues that come to mind about the passage, it’s
application or meaning to you and/or your church.
O n Y o u r O w n
Key Words/Phrases John 13
Use
this space to write down and define key words/phrases. Look for repetition and biblical
themes from other parts of the Bible. The key verses we are looking at are verses 34 and 35. Consider also: Romans 12:9-16;
Hebrews 10:23-25; Ephesians 4:2-3; and 1
John
3:11, 21-24, 4:7-21.
P r e p a r a t i o n f o r C e l l
After your cell has met, jot
down the solutions you found.
P r a y e r
Prayer:
How does this passage lead
you to pray in terms of
Adoration: Confession Thanks Supplication:
Non
Believers to be Praying for
C e l l G r o u p - D i g g i n g D e e p e r .
The Passage: Read John 13:34-35
Before
Cell, complete the ‘On Your Own’ section on the previous page.
Describe
the context of the following passages: Romans 12:9-16; Hebrews 10:23-25; Ephesians 4:2-3; and 1 John 3:11, 21-24, 4:7-21.
List the key words/phrases
and what they mean? Use your previous page notes.
What is the key to the
message given to Christians?
What is unique about
Christian love?
As
you read 1 John 4:4-21, what evidence demonstrates that we love God? What is the origin of your love?
1 Peter 4:9 encourages us to “offer”
hospitality to one another. How might you do
that with others from your church?
What
is the basis and purpose of our gathering together each week? (Consider Hebrews 10:23-25)
According
to Ephesians 4:1-7, what are we urged
to do to be living a life worthy of our calling? What is our calling?
Recount a positive experience of “one another” ministry in
your church?
James 5:16 tells us to “pray for one another”. How might you
do this well?
Describe
one practical thing you can take away from this passage that gives you stamina in terms
of maintaining your ministry and calling. Think of your
head heart hands
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