The Body of Christ | Resources
Memory Verse
“You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures.” Psalm 16:11 (CSB)
Discussion/Reflection Questions
1. What is biblical joy?
2. How is biblical joy different than how the world views joy?
3. What brings true biblical joy?
4. Are you actively participating in the God-given gifts that create biblical joy?
5. Is there anything in your life that is killing true joy? What needs to change in your life to help you experience true biblical joy?
Devotional
Imagine you were working in a mid/low-level position for a large company with thousands of employees. It would be quite easy to blend in, feel insignificant, and unnoticed. In this situation, it would be very shocking if the head of the company called you up and honored you and all the work you have done! You would go from feeling low and unworthy to full of joy and infinitely valuable!
At your place of employment, some positions are more important than others. However, in the Church of God, the Bible says God notices you, and each person’s value has infinite worth, no matter the purpose. Not only that, but the people around you are just as important and are just as valuable. This is cause for joy! Everyone matters.
We matter individually and collectively. Not only that, we are unified together in the Church of God under Jesus. 1 Cor. 12:12-31 says that just as the body is one and has many parts, we are all parts of the body of Christ. Jesus is the head of the body, and we are the parts. And there is no part of the body under Jesus that is an accident. “God has arranged each one of the parts in the body just as he wanted” (v. 18). We are not alone either! “God has put the body together so that there would be no division in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other” (v. 24, 25). We are to love one another, care for one another, and complete our joy in one another (Philippians 2:1-4).
When we celebrate our roles and the roles of others, we experience joy in unity. Embracing our differences while pursuing a common purpose reflects God’s design for His church—each part bringing its own gift, joining in God’s joyful work in the world.