Unity in Community – Psalm 133
Psalm 133 is a short Psalm, in fact, it is only 3 verses. But in this Psalm are some valuable truths about the power of unity and the impact of being connected to each other. Join us in August for this 4-week series as we unpack Psalm 133 and unlock the power of unity in community.
Week 4: Blessed and Impactful – Psalm 133:3b
It is good, pleasant and blessed when God’s people dwell together in unity. So why is it so elusive? Unity in community is blessed and impactful. God uses the unity in community of God’s people to reach others and draw them to Himself. What is your part in building unity in community?
DISCUSSION/REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
- What was a highlight for you from this past week?
- Talk about a time when you experienced the blessing on unity in community.
- READ: Psalm 133. Spend some time SOAPing this passage. You can either spend time SOAPing individually and documenting for a several minutes and then spend time sharing with each -OR- SOAP in real time with each other. Either way make as many observations as you can.
- OBSERVATIONS: What stands out to you from Psalm 133? What are your observations?
- How would you summarize this passage in one sentence?
- What does this passage tell me about who God is?
- What does this passage tell us about who we are?
- Doug gave us a series of questions based on these verses about Unity in Community. Discuss each question…:
- READ: Psalm 133:1 “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”
- TRUTH: We are “God’s people” = I belong to Him. WE belong to Him.
- Question: Is this my everyday identity?
- TRUTH: We are to “Live together” in unity = I need to dwell, abide & live this out every day.
- Q: Am I connected to God’s people?
- Q: Am I living this out everyday, everywhere with everyone?
- TRUTH: Unity in Community is “Good and pleasant” = Good for you and a good experience.
- Q: Is my contribution good and pleasant…from God’s perspective?
- READ: 133:2 “It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe.”
- TRUTH: Unity in Community is Holy and Sacred = set apart for a holy and sacred purpose.
- Q: Do I view community as holy and sacred with holy curiosity?
- Q: Am I living as someone set apart for Him and for His purposes?
- READ: 133:3a “It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion.”
- TRUTH: Unity in Community is Refreshing and Nourishing = life giving and refreshing to others
- Q: Am I living as someone who seeks to refresh others?
- READ: 133:3b “For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.”
- TRUTH: Unity in Community is Blessed and Impactful = God working in unity in community for our good and His glory
- Q: Do I see God at work in this community?
- Q: Am I praying for God to work in this community?
- READ: Quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer & in “Life Together” –“Christianity means community through Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ. No Christian community is more or less than this. Whether it be a brief, single encounter or the daily fellowship of years, Christian community is only this. We belong to one another only through and in Jesus Christ. What does this mean? It means, first, that a Christian needs others because of Jesus Christ. It means, second, that a Christian comes to others only through Jesus Christ. It means third, that in Jesus Christ we have been chosen from eternity, accepted in time, and united for eternity.”
- Unity in Community is only possible because of the presence and work of Jesus:
- Am I abiding in Christ so I can abide impactfully in unity in community?
- READ: John 17:20-23.
- What does this prayer of Jesus tell us about Unity in Community?
- Q: What is your role in unity in community? What is your next step?
- What else stood out from this week’s sermon?
- APPLICATION: What is your big takeaway from this week’s sermon? Be specific.
NEXT STEPS: Everyone has a next step to apply what we’ve learned. What’s your next step? Be specific.
MEMORY VERSE: *Challenge yourself or your group to commit this verse to memory:
Romans 15:5-6 “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
PRAYER: Spend some time praying as a group for unity in community….in our lives, our small group, our church, and in churches around the world.
Close by reading this prayer from Paul…Romans 15:5-6 “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Scripture References:
Psalm 133; 1 Peter 2:9; Proverbs 11:25; Revelation 5:12-13; Ephesians 4:1-6; Romans 15:5-6; John 17:20-23