Session 12: Practical Steps for Church Unity
Preparation Resources
1) Grace, Justice & Mercy Bryan Stephenson & Tim Keller
Discussion Topics
1) The Bible lays out a future vision for unity among various ethnic
groups and our speakers assert that the gospel critiques and
affirms all cultures. They introduce the idea of receptive
ecumenism that recognizes other denominations and churches
may have gifts God intends for us to receive through them.
How do you see these ideas applying in your own context?
Identify obstacles as well as signs of hope in your community,
family, or church.
2) McCaulley questions whether the current generation will believe the church on issues
of personal holiness if the church does not also confront larger structural sins. He
identifies the important question asked in our time as “What does the Bible have to say
about the suffering people of the world and how does that relate to biblical authority
more broadly?” Do you agree? What are your thoughts?
3) How does racism infuse societal structures or governmental systems? Identify some
of the ways in which power is directly abused to create and maintain unjust systems,
and ways in which injustice is the natural consequence of sin’s spiritual force on the
world. Where are they? What type of dynamic is at work that results in unfair treatment?
Who is impacted unfairly?
4) Recognizing that Christians will disagree, how might you respond well to situations
where racism is impacting a societal structure or a system? What steps might you take
to participate in working for justice in practical ways? Whose voice(s) do you think it is
important to listen to when you identify that you don’t have all the answers?
5) How can the Church respond to systemic injustice? Identify some of the resources for
the Church’s witness in addition to praying for our leaders.
6) According to McCaulley, a manifestation of Christian discipleship is to contend and
be on the side for justice. What are some practical next steps you would like to make in
this area?
1) Grace, Justice & Mercy Bryan Stephenson & Tim Keller
Discussion Topics
1) The Bible lays out a future vision for unity among various ethnic
groups and our speakers assert that the gospel critiques and
affirms all cultures. They introduce the idea of receptive
ecumenism that recognizes other denominations and churches
may have gifts God intends for us to receive through them.
How do you see these ideas applying in your own context?
Identify obstacles as well as signs of hope in your community,
family, or church.
2) McCaulley questions whether the current generation will believe the church on issues
of personal holiness if the church does not also confront larger structural sins. He
identifies the important question asked in our time as “What does the Bible have to say
about the suffering people of the world and how does that relate to biblical authority
more broadly?” Do you agree? What are your thoughts?
3) How does racism infuse societal structures or governmental systems? Identify some
of the ways in which power is directly abused to create and maintain unjust systems,
and ways in which injustice is the natural consequence of sin’s spiritual force on the
world. Where are they? What type of dynamic is at work that results in unfair treatment?
Who is impacted unfairly?
4) Recognizing that Christians will disagree, how might you respond well to situations
where racism is impacting a societal structure or a system? What steps might you take
to participate in working for justice in practical ways? Whose voice(s) do you think it is
important to listen to when you identify that you don’t have all the answers?
5) How can the Church respond to systemic injustice? Identify some of the resources for
the Church’s witness in addition to praying for our leaders.
6) According to McCaulley, a manifestation of Christian discipleship is to contend and
be on the side for justice. What are some practical next steps you would like to make in
this area?