Some of our sermons on Sunday morning, our minister kicks off with a Bible verse or maybe two. Then he has us 'group up' with several in or near us to read the assigned Bible verse and asks us to discuss briefly, what it might mean to us. Next we are asked to 'shout out' what we might have discovered.

Such was the assignment for yesterday's sermon. Here is the Bible verses:

"Instead, we will lovingly follow the truth at all times---speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly----and so become more and more in every way like Christ who is the Head of his body, the Church. Under his direction the whole body is fitted together perfectly, and each part in its own special way helps the other parts, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love."

~ Ephesians 4:15,16 LAB

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Our small group snagged some information from a Bible Commentary on these verses which helped explain what we read:

"Some Christians fear that any mistake will destroy their witness for the Lord. They see their own weaknesses, and they know that many non-Christians seem to have stronger character than they do. How can they be new and different persons, holy, and good? The Good News is that Jesus forms us into a body---into a group of individuals who are united in their purpose and in their love for one another an for Christ. If an individual stumbles, the rest of the group is there to pick him/her up and help him/her walk with the Lord again. If an individual sins, he/she can find restoration through the church even as the rest of the body continues to witness to God's truth. As part of Christ's body, we will reflect part of Christ's character and do part of his work. As we grow to be more and more like him, we will be able to give more and more thanks for our brothers and sister in Christ, without whom we could not adequately represent  the Lord."

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