What's Next?

Whether you heard the message from Sunday or are part of one of our “What’s Next” groups at Venture, here’s a way for you to go deeper.

this week's next steps

Read Ephesians 3 for next week

Memorize Ephesians 2:19

I will pray for and fight for unity within the church

Say yes to Jesus - click here

This week's Bible reading plan

This week's fill-in notes

This week's study

Think back to a time when you felt completely on the outside—perhaps excluded, misunderstood, or simply not belonging. That feeling, multiplied infinitely, is what our lives were like before we experienced the extravagant grace of God. Whether we saw ourselves as spiritually "in the know" or completely lost, the truth is that we were all spiritually separated from God's promises. Yet, in the most profound act of love, Jesus Christ reached across that gap. Our salvation is a free gift, secured entirely by His sacrifice and received through simple faith, leaving no space for pride or for claiming superiority over anyone else. Reflecting on this shared starting point—that we were all saved by the same grace—is the essential first step toward finding unity with others. It grounds us in the humility that says, "I have been given this; I did not earn it."

The good news doesn't stop with our personal salvation; it instantly connects us to everyone else who has been brought near by the same blood. Christ didn't just reconcile you to God; He simultaneously reconciled you to your fellow believers, destroying the very barriers and hostilities that naturally divide us. Consider the things that cause friction in your life or group today—minor differences in theology, opposing political views, or varying life experiences. These are the modern "dividing walls" that try to sever the connection between people Christ has already joined. Our natural tendency is to try and achieve unity by proving our point or finding a compromise, but true unity is only ever found by shifting our focus back to the cross. It's there that Christ forged one new humanity and one body. You are no longer a stranger in God's kingdom; you are a chosen family member, and the person sitting next to you is, too. Let the reality that you are held together by the same cross be the glue that keeps your heart soft and your relationships whole.

Questions to Consider:

Describe a time in your life when you felt like a genuine "outsider" or "foreigner." How did that experience shape your heart or perspective?
“True unity is only ever found by shifting our focus back to the cross." What is one practical thing you can do to remember the cross before engaging in a difficult or tense conversation with a fellow believer this week?
How does the knowledge that your salvation is based on grace alone change the way you view and interact with people whose backgrounds or political views are vastly different from yours?
If we are "no longer strangers, but fellow citizens and family members," what is one small, tangible step you can take to foster a deeper sense of belonging for someone in your church or group who seems quiet or marginalized?
How might the "glue" of Christ's cross-shaped love need to soften or adjust your expectations for the people you currently live, work, or serve with?