Equipping the Saints
Heather Weir Download: Audio
Sunday Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:7-13 (NRSV)
7 But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it is said,
“When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive;
he gave gifts to his people.”
Looking to Sunday: Preparing to Hear From God
by Elaine Poproski
Last Sunday we spent time in reflection, and Barb invited us to write down a word or phrase that signifies something about who God is, what God has done or what we need God to do – a word or phrase to remember through the coming year. This was work done individually, each of us going to God as individual people because God cares for each of us as we are.
We are not just individual people though – as Christians we are part of something much larger, the Church, the body of Christ. Our local expression of this universal Church meets together on Sundays at the corner of Walmer and Lowther. We are members of each other because we are a part of the body of Christ. Sometimes, particularly in our individualistic society, it is hard to know what to do with this connection with others.
Over the next two Sundays we’ll be looking ahead to what God has for us together, as a local expression of the body of Christ. As you prepare for Sunday, spend some time thinking about what it means to be a member of Christ’s body, part of something that isn’t just you and Jesus, but is us together and Jesus. You may want to look at the passages in the New Testament that talk about Christians as the body of Christ to help you think this through: Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4. What does it mean for you to be a member of the body of Christ?