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 5 for next week

Memorize Ephesians 4:1-3

Ask God how you can be a supporting member of his body

Say yes to Jesus - click here

This week's Bible reading plan

This week's fill-in notes

This week's study

Our greatest calling is to live a life that reflects the grace we have received. This begins with a posture of humility, gentleness, patience, and bearing with one another in love. In a world that thrives on division, our mandate is to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit." This unity is not a human achievement we must construct, but a divine gift we are called to preserve. It is rooted in the essential truths that bind us together—one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God who is Father of all. This shared identity is far more powerful than any preference or opinion that might separate us.

But this unity is not static; it is designed to grow and mature. To facilitate this, Christ gives gifts to His people—leaders who serve by equipping everyone else for the "works of service." The goal is not for a few to do the work, but for every individual to be built up and activated. As we mature together, we are no longer like "infants, tossed back and forth" by confusing ideas. Instead, by "speaking the truth in love," we grow into the fullness of Christ. This beautiful picture is of a body held together by every supporting ligament, growing and building itself up in love "as each part does its work."

Questions to Consider:

The call to be "completely humble and gentle; patient, bearing with one another in love" is challenging. Which of these four qualities do you find most difficult to practice in your daily life, and why?
We are asked to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit," not create it. What are some practical, everyday ways we can actively guard that unity, especially when disagreements arise?
Ephesians 4:11-12 states that leaders are given to "equip" the people for ministry. How does this change your perspective on your own role, compared to a model where leaders are expected to "do" all the ministry?
What does it look like to "speak the truth in love" without sacrificing either the truth or the love? Can you share a time when you either saw this done well or struggled to do it?
The passage concludes that the body grows "as each part does its work." What "work" or "supporting" role do you feel God has equipped you for? What obstacles sometimes keep you from doing your part?
Verses 4-6 list seven "ones" (one body, one Spirit, etc.). How does focusing on these shared, core beliefs help you maintain unity with other believers with whom you have significant differences?