Key Thought: Metaphors of the New Testament church illustrate the nature of dependence upon God and the relationships that God’s people are called to have with each other.

November 10, 2018

1. Have a volunteer read Ephesians 2:19-22.

1.  Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What do the image of a house and a household give us of the desired unity of God’s people?
3. Personal Application: How much do you look at the church and members as a family to you?. Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “What do you do about people who didn’t have a great experience with their family? How can we make these images mean anything for them? ” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read I Corinthians 12:12,25,26.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. How do you relate the local church or the world church to a body?
3. Personal Application: Think of one member of the church who usually doesn’t get much recognition for what they do. What can you do to thank them for their service? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “There are many things that I can’t do in the church. I really don’t know if I have anything to offer to help in any way.” How would you reply to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read John 10:3-5.

1.  Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. Why is the metaphor of sheep appropriate for us?
3.  Personal Application: What does it mean to follow Jesus and to know His voice? Share your thoughts
4. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “Nobody’s going to call me a sheep; I’ve got a mind and will of my own. I’m not into herd mentality. I’ll make my own choices and my own paths. I’ll accept God, but He’s got to follow me where I wish to go.” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read I Corinthians 3:16,17.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. What does it mean that the church is the temple of the Holy Spirit?
3. Personal Application: How can we work through the problems of envy, strife, and division in ways that don’t threaten our unity? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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