Thanks for joining me today as we look at the theme of Unity. Let’s start with an exercise together.  Get in a comfortable position, place your hand over your heart and notice the sensation in your chest, especially around your heart.  Now, notice your breath, don’t change it, simply notice it, picturing your breath circling your heart.  And now, bring to mind something, someone or some place that you feel deeply connected to and notice how your body responds.

As I read the Scripture, turn your thoughts quietly toward the Lord, asking for your heart to open to God’s voice through scripture. Phillipians 1:27 says,

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.”

What are the automatic assumptions you have in what it means to “standing firm in the one Spirit”? What role does believing the same have? What role does behaving the same have?

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How do we maintain unity without falling into uniformity?

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How do we overlook the value and importance of unity?

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Phillipians 1:27 says,

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.”

How are you avoiding the hard work of unity for your team, your family, your church?

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As you move throughout your days and weeks use a variety of the examen to reflect. Where have I contributed to standing firm in the one spirit? Where have I been an obstacle to unity? Where is God inviting me to contribute more to unity?

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Part 3: Wesleyan Covenant Prayer