Fullness of Christ

Community Group Discussion Guide: Walking in the Spirit - The Fullness of Christ
Icebreakers:

1. How would you describe the process of spiritual transformation in the life of a Believer?  
2. What attitudes have changed or are in the process of changing since you became a Believer in Christ?
3. Does the Holy Spirit make you "aware" of sinful thoughts or wrong attitudes as they are happening in your mind?  (Do you ever find your mind being a spiritual battlefield?)

Read: Ephesians 4:1-15 NASB95
Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, [2] with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, [3] being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. [4] There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; [5] one Lord, one faith, one baptism, [6] one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. [7] But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. [8] Therefore it says, “WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN.” [9] (Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? [10] He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.) [11] And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, [12] for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; [13] until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. [14] As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; [15] but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ.

Digging Deeper: Although Ephesians, Chapter 4, is not generally associated with 1 Corinthians, Chapter 12, there are some interesting parallels.  In Ephesians 4,  Apostle Paul starts out by calling the Church to walk in a way that is "worthy" of our calling.  In context, Paul is calling on the Ephesians to walk in unity.

• What are some of the factors that cause disunity within the church?
• How important are the attitudes of humility, gentleness, patience and tolerance in maintaining unity? 
• What are some of the things that Christians have in common which should bind us together?​ 

Read verse 7: But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

• What are some of the works of God's grace in the lives of Believers?
• 1 Corinthians calls the manifestations of the Holy Spirit works of God's "charisma" or grace.  What does this mean?
• What is the measure of Christ's gift to you?  (Salvation, Grace, Faith, ongoing work of the Holy Spirit)  Grace is a continuing work of God in us. ​

Read verse 13: ...until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

• Has the "Church" attained the unity of the faith?  (If not, then the work of the Spirit is ongoing)
• What would the unity of the faith look like in the Church?
  
• Have "we" attained the fullness of Christ?  (How would you define the fullness of Christ?)  
  
• ​How does the fullness of Christ relate to the idea of imputed righteousness?
  

Wrap-up: Read verse 15. ...but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ. 

• It probably goes without saying, but we have quite the spiritual journey ahead of us in order for us to grow up in all aspects into Christ.  Where do we even begin?
• This is where the "Helper" (The Holy Spirit) becomes absolutely necessary.