Message Notes
The State of the Congregation
- Summit Church is a Unified Congregation(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
- But here’s an uncomfortable truth: not every question builds up, and not every concern comes from faith.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
- Unity is a Gospel issue.(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
Galatians 3:26-39 – Unified by Salvation(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
Ephesians 4:1-6 – Glued Together by Cooperation(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
Jesus-Followers Are by to Show to a World
1 Peter 2:9-10(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
Theological Priorities(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
- Primary (Tier 1) – Mainly regarding the Gospel(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
- Secondary (Tier 2) – Mainly regarding the congregation(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
- Tertiary (Tier 3) – Mainly regarding non-critical matters of faith(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
Are you choosing unity over your preferences?
Praying Together
Praise the Lord
- for the gift of faith to trust Him with our financial futures, including our ongoing giving to the Lord through the ministry here.
- for using us to be part of bringing Jesus to our city, region, state, nation, and world.
- for the goal of enriching our city and county.
- for the physical and emotional healing of those in and connected to our church community.
- for all the new people the Lord is sending to join with us who are experiencing hope in Jesus.
- What are you praising the Lord for this week?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
Ask the Lord
- to bless, expand, and protect our brothers and sisters of the persecuted Church, especially in North Korea.
- to bless, provide, and empower our brothers and sisters of the Church of Merced.
- for the healing of physical and emotional illness of those in and connected to our church community.
- for our military member of the week: Jaxson Ingraham, Navy.
- for the blessing and success for our missionary of the week: Joe and Ana Levesque with Village Missions
- What are you asking the Lord about this week?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
Discussion Guide
CHECKING IN
Do you have any hopes or goals for your time with our Small Group this session?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
CONVERSATION
- What is one thing that stood out to you from Sunday’s service?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
- How would you describe unity in a general sense?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
CONSIDERATION
- As part of your S.I.P.S. (Sing, Investigate, Pray, Stay) for today, read the following Scripture passages, and then answer the questions:
- According to Galatians 3:26-29, what is the primary source of our unity as disciples of Jesus? What differences does Paul intentionally downplay here?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
- What are some ways we elevate difference in opinion or preference to a primary source of unity?
- Read Ephesians 4:1-6.
- Paul lists humility, gentleness, patience, and love as essential to unity. Which of these do you find hardest to practice when conflict arises—and why?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
- We’re told to “make every effort” to maintain unity. What effort does unity actually require from us in real life?(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)
- What is the difference between addressing real concerns biblically and grumbling or complaining sinfully?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
- Going back to the chart from the message, why is it important to distinguish between primary, secondary, and tertiary issues?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
CONNECTION
- Have you ever elevated secondary and tertiary issues to primary? What are the consequences of those actions?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
- How do you resolve that for the future? How can you personally be a protector of unity rather than a consumer of preferences?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
Addendum: Marriage Groups
CONVERSATION
What are some differences between you and your spouse?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
CONSIDERATION
- How does our shared identity in Christ shape the way we treat our spouse—especially during disagreement?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
- What does it look like for a husband and wife to “make every effort” to preserve unity during conflict?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
CONNECTION
- How does complaining about our spouse—especially to others—damage trust and unity?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
- What is one concrete step you can take this week to pursue unity with your spouse?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)