Undivided | Week Two

Staying Together Through Blame

With social media, candidates, and news stations vying for your attention, time, and commitment, how can you follow God's lead and stick with the people around you? (Even when you disagree.) Sticking together through today's complex issues can feel impossible, even when you are trying to follow Jesus together.

Jesus invites everyone to come together around Him and His Word. He will help you bring your very best to the people in your life, even when blame, offense, anger, and more try to tear you apart. Sticking together will help you experience God's presence and more joy with the people in your life. Most importantly, the world will see Jesus more clearly when His people work to stay undivided.

This study follows the “Lectio P.R.A.Y. Model” to help you and the people in your life live Undivided. It can be done individually, but it is better to go through it with the people you are walking toward Jesus with.

Pause:

Pause and be still. Breathe slowly. Center yourself in God’s presence for 60 seconds.

Take several slow, deep breaths. As you quiet yourself, acknowledge God’s presence by saying, “God, you are with me.”

When ready, pray:

God, create in me a unified heart. Make me aware of anything in me that is threatening unity from happening around me. Grow my awareness of opportunities to pursue and create unity by the power of your Spirit.

Rejoice and Reflect:

“Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I run to you to hide me. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.” (Psalm 143:8-10)

Pause and pray 

Read the account from Paul in Colossians:

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. (Colossians 3:12-15 NLT)

Ask:

  • When am I most tempted to blame others? How about to blame God?

  • What does blame look like when I express it?

  • How can we move past the things we cannot control and take responsibility where we can?

Yield:

Return to the passage again. Consider reading it in a different translation. If doing this in a group, have someone different read the passage. Invite God to show you something new as you read the passage a second time:

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. (Colossians 3:12-15 NLT)

  • What new insight do you gain from reading the passage again?

Pause and pray:

  • ·What prayer is rising up in you in response to today’s reflection? Speak out that prayer with your group or write it down.

 Act:

  • What people or places am I being invited to pray Psalm 143 over? How will my prayers be embodied in my actions?

  • Based on what you’ve heard from God during this reflection time, how will you respond in obedience this week?

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