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 reflect Christ.
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. God does not show partiality.
The Spirit’s power is not given to make the Church impressive, but to reflect Christ.
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. God does not show partiality.
Love is not sentimental - it flows from the very nature of who God is. God’s love in Christ 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 more deeply out of God's love for us, in Jesus. In Christ, we are 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.
“Lord, thank You for Your love towards me - teach me to love as I have been loved in Christ.”
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.
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.
Of the Communion of Saints
I. All saints that are united to Jesus Christ their head, by his Spirit and by faith, have fellowship with him in his graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory:(a) and being united to one another in love, they have communion in each other’s gifts and graces,(b) and are obliged to the performance of such duties, public and private, as do conduce to their mutual good, both in the inward and outward man.(c)
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)
Chapter XXVI Heading I of the Westminster Confession of Faith
Of the Communion of Saints
I. All saints that are united to Jesus Christ their head, by his Spirit and by faith, have fellowship with him in his graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory:(a) and being united to one another in love, they have communion in each other’s gifts and graces,(b) and are obliged to the performance of such duties, public and private, as do conduce to their mutual good, both in the inward and outward man.(c)
Click here for a link to see the Scripture references in the confession above.
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.
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, help me to love my neighbor selflessly and shine your light through me.”
6 | Community Group Discussion Questions
From the Sermon (Text — Acts 9 : 10–18)
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?
- Where do you struggle most to love others as Christ has loved you?
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 Personal Reflection
- 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
Lord,
Thank you that our union with Christ leads to unity with each other.
While the world would seek our disunity,
And encourage us to unify under:
Hobbies
Vocations
Political Parties
Status
Help us strive in all things to march solely under the flag of Jesus.
May our unity and love for one another do as You promised:
And reflect to the world that we are Yours.
To You be the glory and praise.
Amen.