Week of 5/10/26:United in Love
SUMMARY
Formation Theme: Be the Church - Filled with PowerWeekly Theme: Be the Church - United in Love
Sermon Text: Acts 9 : 10 – 18
Primary Reading: Acts 21 – 24
Secondary Reading: Romans 11 – 13
Memory Verses (Through May 23rd): Titus 2:11–14 (ESV)
[11] For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,
[12] training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,
[13] waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
[14] who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
1 | Theme Reflection - "United in Love"
The Spirit’s power is not given to make the Church impressive, but to make it one.
In Acts 21–24, Paul’s story becomes a portrait of costly unity - rejected by his own people, misunderstood by rulers and sustained by love for the body and mission of Christ.
In Romans 11–13, Paul describes the mystery of God’s mercy toward all people: Jew and Gentile, strong and weak, rulers and servants. Grace becomes the great equalizer.
Love is not sentimental - it’s supernatural. It reconciles what division tears apart, humbles what pride inflates and binds together what the world cannot.
To Be the Church - United in Love is to live from the deep center of Christ’s cross:
one body, many members, joined by mercy.
The Spirit’s power is not given to make the Church impressive, but to make it one.
In Acts 21–24, Paul’s story becomes a portrait of costly unity - rejected by his own people, misunderstood by rulers and sustained by love for the body and mission of Christ.
In Romans 11–13, Paul describes the mystery of God’s mercy toward all people: Jew and Gentile, strong and weak, rulers and servants. Grace becomes the great equalizer.
Love is not sentimental - it’s supernatural. It reconciles what division tears apart, humbles what pride inflates and binds together what the world cannot.
To Be the Church - United in Love is to live from the deep center of Christ’s cross:
one body, many members, joined by mercy.
2 | Daily Reading Rhythm
3 | Practice of the Week - The Love Inventory
Before bed one evening, pause and reflect:
Where have I loved well this week?
Where have I withheld love - through silence, judgment or indifference?
Pray slowly through Romans 12:9–21, asking God to name one person you need to forgive or serve.
“Spirit of Christ, knit my heart to Yours - teach me to love as I have been loved.”
Love is not a feeling to be chased but a posture to be practiced.
Before bed one evening, pause and reflect:
Where have I loved well this week?
Where have I withheld love - through silence, judgment or indifference?
Pray slowly through Romans 12:9–21, asking God to name one person you need to forgive or serve.
“Spirit of Christ, knit my heart to Yours - teach me to love as I have been loved.”
Love is not a feeling to be chased but a posture to be practiced.
4 | Doctrinal Focus - The Doctrine of The Church as The Body of Christ
The Church is not an organization but a living organism - Christ’s body, animated by the Holy Spirit.
Each member is gifted differently but bound together in love.
The Church’s unity does not erase diversity; it redeems it.
When one suffers, all suffer; when one rejoices, all share joy.
Our love for one another is not optional - it is our witness to an unbelieving world.
“By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)
The Church is not an organization but a living organism - Christ’s body, animated by the Holy Spirit.
Each member is gifted differently but bound together in love.
The Church’s unity does not erase diversity; it redeems it.
When one suffers, all suffer; when one rejoices, all share joy.
Our love for one another is not optional - it is our witness to an unbelieving world.
“By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)
5 | Missional Focus - Love the Crosses Lines
Love that stays inside the Church is incomplete.
Jesus’ love crosses barriers - social, racial, generational and political.
This week, reach across one divide in your daily life:
share a meal, begin a conversation, or listen without defense.
Ask God to use your presence to demonstrate a love that the world cannot explain.
“Lord, let my love reveal Your heart.”
Love that stays inside the Church is incomplete.
Jesus’ love crosses barriers - social, racial, generational and political.
This week, reach across one divide in your daily life:
share a meal, begin a conversation, or listen without defense.
Ask God to use your presence to demonstrate a love that the world cannot explain.
“Lord, let my love reveal Your heart.”
6 | Community Group Discussion Questions
From the Readings
From the Readings
- How do Acts 21–24 show the cost of unity for the early Church?
- What does Romans 12–13 teach about love as the fulfillment of the law?
From the Sermon (Text — Acts 9 : 10–18)
- What does Ananias teach us about obedience and love in the face of fear?
- How does the laying on of hands in this passage symbolize unity in the Spirit?
From Personal Reflection
- Where do you struggle most to love others as Christ has loved you?
- How does remembering your identity as “hidden with Christ in God” free you to love without fear of loss?
From Community Life
- What divides (big or small) does our group need to name and surrender to Jesus?
- How can we practice love that reconciles rather than love that avoids?
Questions for Children
- Who helped Saul after he couldn’t see?
- What does it mean to love someone like Jesus loves us?
- How can you show love to someone who’s different from you?
- Why is love the best way to show others we follow Jesus?
7 | Closing Prayer
God of mercy,
You make strangers family and enemies friends.
Jesus, You broke down every wall that divides us.
Spirit, pour Your love into our hearts and make unity our way of life.
Teach us to see one another through Your eyes,
to forgive as we’ve been forgiven,
and to serve as one body under one Lord.