Begin with prayer
Gather together as a Community in a comfortable setting. Take a moment in silence, in the presence of Jesus and each other. Have one person read Ephesians 4:1–6 over the group:
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Invite someone to pray, asking the Holy Spirit to lead and guide your time.
Discuss the following question
- Why do you think Paul described unity as something in need of great effort?
Read this overview
Change is inevitable in every community, including the church. And though change can often bring new life and new opportunities, it can also be accompanied by grief, confusion, and even disunity. As followers of Jesus, we are called not just to navigate change individually, but to walk through it together, bearing with one another in love. Real unity isn’t about agreement on every detail, it’s about shared faith, hope, and love found only in Jesus.
Scripture acknowledges that following Jesus involves growing pains. Romans 12:15 calls us to “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” These aren’t just individual instructions. They are communal ones, meant to be carried as a church family. In seasons of transition or pain, it’s vital that we hold space for each other’s experiences, while also clinging to the shared truth that we are one body. 1 Corinthians 12:26 says, “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”
Unity isn’t passive, it’s something we must “make every effort” to maintain (Ephesians 4:3). And prayer is one of our most powerful tools, and in many ways may be our only tool. In prayer, we not only cry out to God together, but we allow the Holy Spirit to shape us with compassion, gentleness, humility, and a deeper love for one another.
Discuss the following prompts
If you don’t feel impacted by this change, it’s appropriate and welcomed to consider these questions for any relationship or seasonal change you have or are currently experiencing.
- What experiences (past or present) shape how you respond to change within a church community?
- What would it look like to pursue unity with someone who is processing this season differently than you are?
Practicing right now
Spend some time in guided prayer together. Invite someone to slowly read the following prompts with 30–60 seconds of silence in between each one.
Take a moment to name your emotions before God. Offer them honestly to Him.
Ask God to reveal anyone you may need to listen to, forgive/ask for forgiveness, or encourage this week.
Pray for the leaders of your church, for wisdom, peace, humility, and courage.
Pray for your church family, that love would be stronger than fear, and unity would be deeper than differences.
End this time of prayer with someone reading Philippians 2:1-2:
“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.”
Practicing this week
Take 10–15 minutes at least twice this week to pray specifically for your church and for unity. Use Ephesians 4:1-6 or Philippians 2:1-2 as your guide.
If someone comes to mind who may be struggling, reach out to them with encouragement. Listening can be one of the most loving things we do.
Ask the Spirit to help you be a non-anxious presence in the midst of uncertainty.
Close in prayer
Close by reading these two Scriptures over the group.
“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.” Romans 1v5–6
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12v-9–11
May the Lord bring endurance and encouragement in becoming one mind and one voice to glorify God.
May the Lord meet us in our pain and confusion.
May the Lord meet us in our weakness and may his power rest on us.
May the Lord bring comfort.
Offer a closing prayer of unity, peace, and love for the church and one another.