Connect:
- Open in prayer.
- Have you ever tried to talk with someone who spoke a different language? How did the conversation feel? What happened? What was the outcome?
Discuss:
- Read Ephesians 2:11-22. What questions come out of this text for you?
- In verses 11-13, Paul describes a feud between Jews and Gentiles in the Ancient Near East. Jews condescendingly called Gentiles ‘uncircumcised’ representing that they are not chosen by God. This fueled hate towards the Israelites from the Gentiles, thereby creating a division between the two. Where do you see divisions between people groups in today’s culture? Where do you see division between you and others?
- Paul finishes by stating that this separation between Jew and Gentile is no longer valid for Christ, through his blood, has brought the two together. In verse 14, Paul says, “made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.” Think about a division between people, or between you and another. How is it that Christ removes this hostility?
- Pastor Tim talked about small groups not being homogenous. If you do not have people in your group that are different than you, you won’t grow in Jesus very much. The difference can take on many different forms – age, stage of life, political views, ethnicity, gender, economic status, etc. How could your group increase its diversity?
- In what ways do you struggle connecting with people who are different than you? How might you engage in these connections?
- What is your ‘take-away’ or application from this discerning conversation?
Pray:
- What is a relationship in which you experience a wall or barrier? Ask the group to pray for this relationship and for Christ to begin to change it. Share any other requests and pray for them as well.