In Ephesians 2:16, we’re told Jesus brought something new to life through His death. Prior to the cross, there was a hard line drawn between Jewish and non-Jewish people. When Christ died; however, the requirements and restrictions of the Law God had given to the Jewish people was fulfilled. The new requirement was now belief in what Jesus had done on the cross as the sin sacrifice for all humanity. This new work opened the way for all people, Jewish and non-Jewish, to enter into something totally new and different from what they knew before. A new body was born, a body of believers in Christ: the Church.

This body of believers is strongest as each individual member embraces its responsibility and dependence on the other members. We need each other, because God has given each member of Christ’s body a spiritual gifting that, when used, contributes to the building up of the entire body. When each member exercises the spiritual gifts they’ve been given, it impacts every other member of the body in a positive way. It’s God’s desire that Christ’s body builds itself up (Ephesians 4:12).

And all of this is possible because each member of the body is connected to the head, Christ (Ephesians 4:16). He’s the one leading the way and supplying the strength to all who’ve been brought into this new existence. Each member remains linked to Him through their faith in Him as Savior (Ephesians 5:23).

As Christians, we’re connected not only to Christ, but to everyone else who’s connected to Him. We’re part of a body that wraps around the world and reaches from pole to pole. It’s a concept deeper than the Grand Canyon and one that only the Creator, Himself, could come up with!

Reflection Questions

1. How does the concept of being part of a collective body encourage or challenge you?
2. Where do you see your place within the body of Christ?
3. In Hebrews 10, we’re told to not give up meeting together. In Ephesians 3, it says that Christian community is vital for experiencing and knowing the fullness of God’s love. Why do you believe community with other believers is necessary to experience the fullness of God in your life?
4. What makes Christian community different than any other type of community you can have?
5. Why is it important to have accountability in your Christian walk?

Memory Verse

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”—Ephesians 3:14–21 (NIV)

Prayer Guide

Lord, I thank You for calling me, saving me, and placing me in Your body . . . the church. Help me to see my place in it as You do and may I be faithful to exercise the gifts You’ve given me for the benefit of the rest of Your body. I thank You for connecting me to Yourself and all others who are connected to You. Amen.

If you have questions you aren’t sure of, please reach out to us at CalvaryFTL.org/Questions.