ENGAGED

VOLUME 2 ISSUE # 5

WEEKLY ENGAGEMENT: 1.30.11 EPHESIANS 4:16
… from whom the
whole body, joined
and knit together
by what every joint
supplies, according
to the effective
working by which
every part does its
share, causes
growth of the body
for the edifying of
itself in love.
Ephesians 4:16
The Body of Christ is a beautiful,
unique organism that is living and
active across the boundaries of time
and location. Jesus looked into the
future and saw the Church as His
body, functioning to care for itself and
to reach out into the lost world
serving as His hands and feet. He
prayed that we would be unified just
as He and the Father are one. He also
promised that His Spirit would come
to indwell His believers. With the
giving of His Spirit would also come
the endowment of spiritual gifts,
which would equip us to fulfill our
mission in the body. Our engagement
of these gifts is essential to be the
Church...to do the work of ministry.
...In Favor
Luke 19:13
Day 1
Spiritual gifts are God’s work.  They become more powerful or Personal
effective based on our response to God’s work. However, this
gifting is not based on our natural abilities, but based upon what
His church needs.  The perversion occurs when we want what is best for
ourselves more than what is best for His Church.  How much time do you
spend looking for your fit in the Body?  What part do you truly think you
play?  If your answer is, ‘I don’t fit’, you have a rude awakening to follow.
Relational
When we consider this week’s verse in light of our relationships, it
is both comforting and sobering. We are comforted when we
understand that success in the Christian life is not all up to us. Our
fellow disciples support us. On the other hand, it is sobering to realize we
have a crucial part to play in the lives of those with whom we share the
Christian life. Today, write down some of the things you believe you can
add to someone’s life.
Generational
When was the last time that anyone in your family held a new baby?
Did you have to remember to hold its head steady? That is because
a newborn baby is not able to support the weight of its own head until the
neck gets stronger. Growing up in Christ is a family effort as well. How is
each of your family members helping one another grow in Christ?

24/7 faith Relational Faith Generational Faith

A 24/7 faith is the only faith that is authentic. It
is unselfish and God-centered. This type of
faith is personal and real. It is not produced by
community, but community enhances it. This
section is for the individual believer.
Relationships define who we are. God has
placed us in community with others with whom
we must relate. Whether it is marriage,
employment, social, civic, worship, etc., we must
learn to relate to others as Christ.
God expects us to pass on our faith to the
next generation. Scripture is full of commands
to leave a legacy of faith. However, it is not for
the faint of heart. This section will provide
fodder for you to talk about faith at home...
 Day 2 Personal
Day 3 Day 4
Personal Personal
Pastors are not a different Christ established a
We cannot be content if we limit kind of holy.   One of the continuation of His ministry to
our church with the ministry that greatest defects in the body take place on earth, post
flows from God-ordained Pastors/ o f C h r i s t t o d ay i s t h e ascension, through working in the life of
Teachers. We can appreciate their vision, separation between the Pastors and the every believer.   We see what that looks
calling and direction, but we are meant to Laity.  This line of demarcation should not like in Ephesians 4:11-13. The most
be “ministers” as well, and it’s not primarily exist.   A Pastor is simply exercising his significant way this works is giving
a job for the pastor. The pastor’s job is to spiritual gifts just like God expects any spiritual gifts to every believer.   As we
equip the body to do the work of the other saint to do.   Ultimately, according perform our giftedness through the
ministry.  He is the facilitator to ensure that to verse 12 of Ephesians 4, the goal of body, we continue the Work of Christ.  
the body is functioning to meet the needs any and all gifts is the building up and
of its members. encouragement of the Church. Would you say that your contribution to
the Body is truly a continuation of
In what ways are you and your family How have you been an encouragement Christ’s ministry?   Are you sure your
contributing to meeting the many and to the work of the Church or to the contribution is based on your specific
varied needs of the church?   What might Body of Christ itself?  Are you trying to giftedness, or does it come from some
you consider doing? help build up the Church? other motivation, such as, mere
willingness, availability, emergency, etc?

Relational Relational Relational

Today, be encouraged by the Is there someone in your
Today, think of resources church family who has a
fact that God considers you
you possess (it doesn’t have to
valuable to Himself, and to those He tendency to frustrate you?
be monetary) that can be of benefit to Instead of being frustrated, begin to
loves. Do not belittle yourself any
another servant of Christ. How can see that their unique giftedness is of
longer, thinking you have nothing to
you use this resource to be the best value to the local body of believers.
add. Rather, enjoy the role of
benefit for someone else in the Body? Notice the verse tells us that “every
providing service for the good of
It may be, and most certainly will be
other believers. Ask God to help you joint” in the body supplies something
true in some instances, that you have
relish the relationships you have, and to the overall health of the body.
been blessed to bless someone else in
enjoy the opportunity, and blessing, of This includes those you may not
the Body of Christ. always get along with.
service.
Generational Generational
Generational
Each person in the church
The Body also helps has a special role that helps
How has your family helped
us see how the church fits the entire body to function.
the church this week? What
together. Who is the head of the What do you think the roles are
work did you do?
church? for each of your family members?

Day 5 How long are we supposed to perform our spiritual gift, according to Ephesians 4:13?  
•Until everyone attains to the unity of the faith.
•Until everyone attains to the knowledge of the Son of God.
•Until everyone attains to be a mature man to the measure that belongs to the fullness of Christ.

Are these the things for which you live?   If we each one aspire to live out our giftedness, these three things
become the goal of every church.  How are you doing?

Today, think of your spouse. If you are not married, think of your best friend in church. See them today as a valuable
part of the Body of Christ. Can you think of ways to enhance their spiritual gifts, so that they can be all
God wants them to be? Do not be selfish with them, but rather encourage them to use their gifts to bless
and strengthen the body.

Pastors, such as our Lead Pastor Blaine Rogers, guide and direct the important leadership
work in the church. Pastor Blaine had surgery this past week, so pray for him in your family

NEXT WEEK: 2 Tim 1:6

time today.