Carefully Think
- Read Ephesians 4:11-16. How would you sum up this passage in one sentence?
- What is the purpose of "apostles, prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers"? Who gave them and to whom were they given?
- How would you define and describe "the work of ministry?" Who does this work and what does this work accomplish?
- What does spiritual maturity look like according to this passage? What does spiritual immaturity look like according to this passage?
- How do you overcome spiritual immaturity according to this passage? How are other people involved in this process of maturity?
- How does "the body" of Christ grow?
Prayerfully Meditate
- In what ways are you giving yourself to being equipped by those God has given the church to equip you?
- What does "the work of ministry" look like from your contributions to it? What do you need in order to be equipped to do this work?
- How would you describe your spiritual maturity in light of Ephesians 4:14? How do you know? List characteristics that show maturity or immaturity?
- Who regularly speaks the truth in love to you? How open are you to that? To whom are you regularly speaking the truth in love? What does this look like in an ongoing way within the life of the church?
- How are the relationships in your life within the local church contributing toward deeper spiritual maturity? How are you intentionally pursuing to build up others within your local church in ongoing ways? How could you grow in developing deeper and more significant relationships with each other within your local body?
Intentionally Act
- Who will you talk to this week about getting together with to help each other love Christ more supremely? If you don't know, begin praying now for God's clear guidance in this.
- Where are you lacking in building into others? In other building into you? What could you do specifically this week to begin addressing this lack?
- How would this passage assist you in praying for your leaders, other church members, those without Christ throughout this next week and in the weeks to come?
- Pray for non-Christians who will be present this Sunday to come to be convicted of their need for Christ and turn in faith to him.
- Pray for Christians to be encouraged, convicted, equipped, and helped this Sunday through our gathering.
- Pray that those who are leading the service this Sunday will edify the congregation: Dawson Bryant, music; Mark Krystyniak, Elders' Prayer and Scripture; Bret Capranica, teaching.
- Listen to the music we will sing this Sunday and meditate on the lyrics in preparing to sing with the church.
Songs for Sunday
Morning Gathering
- Come Praise and Glorify (Video)
- Our Great God (Video)
- God Over All (Video)
- How Deep the Father's Love for Us (Video)
- Show Us Christ (Video)
Evening Gathering
- All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name (Video)
- Before the Throne of God Above (Video)
- Psalm 62 (Video)
- I Hear the Words of Love
- My Heart Is Filled with Thankfulness (Video)
Lyrics
Morning and Evening Gathering - April 13, 2014 by Summit Woods Baptist Church