Here are some questions based on last Sunday’s sermon text (Psalm 133), in case they’re helpful to you for personal growth or group discussion…

• Do you believe that it is “good and pleasant” when Christians “dwell in unity”? Are there times when brothers and sisters in the church frustrate you? When that happens, do you still believe it is good to continue in relationship with them? What particular issues make it difficult for you to believe that the fellowship of the church is good? Are you tempted to think it would be better to end relationships where there is strain? Why would you commit to maintaining the unity of the Spirit (Eph. 4:3) when it would be so easy to walk away from difficult relationships? What does the Gospel of Jesus Christ tell you about unity and division?

• Is it difficult for you to believe the best of your brothers and sisters in the church when you find yourself in an argument with them? Can you give the benefit of the doubt to those who have different opinions or perspectives? Can you believe that they might be trying to live faithfully without aligning perfectly with your ideas or practices? Can you love someone whose conscience is shaped differently from yours? How might you grow in your ability to maintain unity with those who disagree with you about things you think are important?

• Life together in the church means opportunities for forgiveness, because the church is a place where sinners continue to sin. In this life, we will never run out of opportunities to suffer for love’s sake, to extend grace and forgiveness to people who hurt us. Is this idea dismaying to you? Can you see the sin of your brother or sister in Christ as an opportunity to be thankful for God’s grace? Can you see conflict as an opportunity to showcase the love of Christ?

• FOR THE CHILDREN: If Jesus loves you, and Jesus loves someone else in the church, and he died to bring you both together with God forever, how do you think you should treat that other person in the church? What if they’re mean to you? What if they just think differently than you do?