It was my 18^th birthday, and I was away at college. My roommate and I celebrated together in style and treated ourselves to a grown-up dinner in a very nice restaurant. This was a moment, however, that my eyes were open to the differences that backgrounds and hometowns make to our ways of doing and seeing things.

When she ordered a glass of wine with her meal, I tried to hide my utter shock that she would be so worldly. I mean, surely, only a vile sinner would drink alcohol, and she was so casual about it! She had also listened to her Duran Duran cassette in the car on the way there, while I tried to limit myself to Christian music most of the time. Was I in a position to judge her or choke on my pride while elevating myself as the “spiritual one?” How nauseating would that be!

I had come from a sheltered upbringing in a small, rural town in Virginia, and my parents were ultra-conservative and were pillars in our church. My roommate had been raised in a large city in West Germany, and her father was a college professor. Talk about a world of difference between the two of us! We were very good friends, so I decided not to say anything to insult her or hurt her feelings.

I was a bit confused, however. Did these minor things really matter? I was quick to accept that fact that people simply see and do things differently, and these things have nothing to do with being more spiritual or more in tune with God than someone else. We are all just different! Our backgrounds simply affect our ways of doing and seeing things. My family abstained from all alcohol, but her family always drank wine with dinner. So what?

Other girls in my dorm came from various cities, states, and countries, and we all had unique church backgrounds. I learned so much from talking to them about their experiences and viewpoints. We varied on just about every opinion possible! I realized that instead of judging others for their differences, I could learn from them. I also learned that we could discuss our differences with respect and appreciation instead of insulting each other or arguing. As a matter of fact, we celebrated our differences as a great thing! To insist that my way was the only right way would be narrowminded and prideful.

However, I was also taught to stand up for truth and to not compromise my beliefs. How did this fit in with what I was learning from my college friends? I began to see the difference between the absolutes and the minor issues. Again, the theme for our study is what brings clarity here:

In essentials (such as the message of the cross) – UNITY

In non-essentials (such as worship styles or alcohol consumption) – LIBERTY

In ALL things – LOVE

Here is the bottom line for us as Christians: The message of the cross is what gives us our shared identity. The Word of God is our only foundation of truth. Other than that, living in UNITY with each other does NOT mean to live in UNIFORMITY with each other.

Christ prayed for unity among His followers in John 17:20-23. As a matter of fact, His prayer was that we would all be one just as He and the Father are one. Now that is tight! However, that does not mean that we are to all be the same. God made us all different so that we would COMPLEMENT each other within the body of Christ. It is actually because of our diversity that we are able to achieve true unity!

It is like building a structure with Legos. If they all have the same shape and color, we would be quite limited with what we can build. However, with all the unique shapes and sizes in a kit, we can build impressive structures, such as the Millennium Falcon from Star Wars. The unity is in the fact that they are all Legos, but they fit together because of their differences. (illustration used by Melissa Spoelstra from week 1 video)

Discussion Questions

Here is a sneak peek of the questions we will be discussing this week in our small groups.

He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as he did for all people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours. 1 Corinthians 1:2b

QUESTION 1: Consider the disagreements you have observed within the body of Christ. How would seeing ourselves and one another as holy help with conflict resolution?

QUESTION 2: We emphasized this week the difference between standing firm on the absolutes, or the essentials, and allowing others freedom with the non-essentials, or opinions, such as methods of baptism or Communion, worship or preaching styles, clothing, social drinking, tattoos, politics, etc. How have you seen believers express unity in the midst of their differing opinions?

QUESTION 3: Have you ever noticed your upbringing, culture, background, etc. cause any challenges in getting along with other believers?

The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God… Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:18, 31 NLT

The message of the cross is the great equalizer of our faith. No matter what our differences, it is through the cross that we have a shared identity in Christ. No one can boast of their own merits because it is only through the cross that we are made holy.

QUESTION 4: As Christians, we may be persecuted for our faith because the message of the cross is foolish to those who are not Christians. While we have discussed how to live in unity with other Christians who disagree with us on minor issues, how can we most effectively stand up for the truth of the cross in front of non-believers who may persecute us?

QUESTION 5: 1 Corinthians 2:16 tells us that because we have the Holy Spirit, “we have the mind of Christ.” “Where human wisdom fails us, the Spirit gives us insight into our Father’s heart.” What are some other roles the Holy Spirit fills in our lives?

QUESTION 6: What are some things we can do to reset or renew our minds when we feel scattered or grumpy?

This Week’s Assignments

1. Read 1 Corinthians, chapters 3-5 (Read commentary in addition if you wish.)
2. Read Week 2, “Growing Up,” pp. 45-74
3. Attend a small group
4. Watch this week’s video on Heart to Heart
5. Work on memorizing this week’s Bible verse:

For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.1 Corinthians 4:20 NLT

6. Weekly Wrap-Up, pp. 74-75
7. Digging Deeper article, Week 2: “Unstuck”
8. Blog or journal your insights.
9. Choose one “Practical Application” idea below to implement this week.

How This Works

• Purchase the book and follow the reading schedule below.
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• Subscribe to this site, if you haven’t already, to receive future updates by email. Enter your email address to the right and click the subscribe button.
• Join our Facebook group, Heart to Heart Women’s Bible Study, for daily interaction, activities, videos, and small group sessions. This is a closed group, and no one will be able to see our posts unless they are members of the group. This is for your safety and privacy.
• Small Groups: We will have photos posted in our Facebook group to mark the location of each small group meeting. You are welcome to attend any group you wish. There is no registration.
• Small Group Schedule:

 

• Follow my ministry page on Facebook, Shari Lewis Ministries, to stay up-to-date on ministry events and for daily prayers, nuggets of wisdom and encouragement for your life, photos that you are welcome to share, and faith building blog posts to strengthen your walk with Christ.

Reading Schedule for 1 Corinthians

• January 23-29: Read Week 1, “In Christ Alone” and chapters 1 and 2 of 1 Corinthians
  • Small groups: Introduction. No need to ready anything ahead of time.
• January 30-February 5: Read Week 2, “Growing Up” and chapters 3-5 of 1 Corinthians
  • Small groups: Discuss Week 1
• February 6-12: Read Week 3, “Everybody’s Doing It” and chapters 6-8 of 1 Corinthians
  • Small groups: Discuss Week 2
• February 13-19: Read Week 4, “Beyond Ourselves” and chapters 9-11 of 1 Corinthians
  • Small groups: Discuss Week 3
• February 20-26: Read Week 5, “Living Love” and chapters 12-14 of 1 Corinthians
  • Small groups: Discuss Week 4
• February 27-March 5: Read Week 6, “Real Life” and chapters 15-16 of 1 Corinthians
  • Small groups: Discuss Week 5
• March 6-12: Discuss Week 6 in small groups

Practical Application Ideas

These are some ideas to put what we learn into practice. These are optional.

1. Think of someone you have a difficult time getting along with. Pray for this person and do or say something kind to him/her this week.
2. Find someone with whom you disagree on a particular topic. Truly listen to them and find out why they believe what they do. Learn something about that person you didn’t know before.
3. Do a random act of kindness for someone this week, such as paying for someone’s meal, filling their car with gas, raking someone’s leaves, taking an elderly person out to lunch, helping someone carry their bags, etc.
4. Volunteer for a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter.
5. Clean the bathrooms or take out the garbage in your church without anyone knowing it was you.
6. Write a letter of encouragement to a service person, a pastor, a policeman, a city official, etc.
7. Visit someone in the hospital or nursing home.
8. Journal or blog about what you have learned this week. Share with someone.
9. Call someone you don’t talk to much, such as a person from a very different walk of life, as see how much you really do have in common.
10. Pray first, and then initiate contact with someone you have had a broken relationship. Break the ice and move toward reconciliation.
11. Write or speak blessings about or to a person who usually gets under your skin. Find genuine ways to compliment this person.
12. If you are Democrat, choose a Republican, and if you are Republican, choose a Democrat, and have lunch together. Practice agreeing to disagree and learn which topics should probably be avoided. Learn what you DO have in common instead of focusing on differences. Avoid insults or arguments. Truly enjoy that person’s company.
13. Have a Bible study with someone in a completely different denomination than you.
14. If you go to a traditional church, visit a contemporary service. If you attend a church with contemporary worship, visit a liturgical church. Notice that you have more in common than you have differences. Choose to worship with all your heart, even with a different style.
15. Look for people who need affirmation and speak words of encouragement to them. Look for someone who needs a hug, and give them a tight, two-armed hug.

I am praying that you have an awesome week of Bible study! I hope to see you in one of our small groups!

God bless!