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    One in Christ
    One in Christ
    One in Christ
    Ebook54 pages37 minutes

    One in Christ

    By Derek Thompson and Raymond Keith Williamson

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    About this ebook

    "One in Christ" is a series of six Bible Studies prepared by Derek Thompson. The title is taken from Galatians 3:28. The studies are aimed at showing that church unity is very much the teaching of Scripture. Also included are two articles by Raymond Williamson to assist group leaders in understanding some of the basic issues in ecumenism. Ray served as General Secretary of the NSW Ecumenical Council from 1986 to 2007 and since retirement has lectured in an Ecumenics Summer School in Australia. Ray's articles are on "Unity in Diversity" and the "Theological Foundations for Ecumenism."

    The Bible studies are laid out in such a way that each study can be printed on two A4 pages and handed out to participants. The aim is to open up discussion on relevant ecumenical issues rather than propose solutions to problems. A number of short Bible readings are presented to feed into the discussion. Each study begins and ends in prayer and some suggestions are provided to help those who are not so familiar with praying in groups.

    "One in Christ" helps fill the void for ecumenical Bible Studies for groups and is free of charge.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherDerek Philip Thompson
    Release dateMar 10, 2015
    ISBN9781311485533
    One in Christ
    Author

    Derek Thompson

    I am involved in a combined church ministry called Five Islands Christian Ministries (www.5icm.org.au) which works to promote church unity in the Illawarra area of Australia. I worked as an electrical engineer and project manager in public works and study theology in retirement.

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    • 5/5
      Great book eyes opening book , that helps undestand unity

    Book preview

    One in Christ - Derek Thompson

    One in Christ

    A series of six Bible Studies on church unity with notes for leaders

    By

    Derek Philip Thompson and Raymond Keith Williamson

    Copyright 2015

    Published by Derek Thompson at Smashwords

    ISBN: 9781311485533 (ePub edition)

    Smashwords Edition License Notes

    The authors give permission to freely reproduce or distribute all or part of this document provided it is not changed and there is acknowledgement of the source. If you would like to share this book with another person, please download an additional copy for each recipient from Smashwords.com or one of its distribution agents so that the authors know that people are making use of their work. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the authors.

    Table of Contents

    Introduction to the Studies for Leaders

    Advice for Bible Study group leaders on the use of these studies.

    1. Jesus on Unity

    Jesus thought church unity was important. What do the gospels say?

    2. One Body

    The church is a community of sinful people who are saved by God and seek to continue Christ's mission in the world. The search for visible unity assumes we are already one in Christ. The church is the body of Christ with many parts.

    3. Unity in Mission

    The church's mission is integral to its identity. Modern ecumenism started in 1910 when missionaries found disunity amongst churches was a problem. Diversity in unity can add to the church's strength.

    4. Reconciled in Christ

    The church in this fallen world is make up of sinful people. We look at an example from church history of the problem of sin in the church.

    Sin sets up barriers between humanity and God and between people.

    5. No Compromise!

    The Bible condemns false teachers. But what is to be done when Christians disagree on teaching? How far can you go before the truth is compromised? There is to be no compromise on seeking the truth together in love. We never agree to disagree.

    6. One in the Spirit

    What does it mean for the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Peace, to be the spirit of unity in the church? God gives the ministry of reconciliation to all believers.

    Unity in Diversity

    An extract from a paper/report Ray Williamson gave during his time as Secretary of the NSW Ecumenical Council (1986-2007).

    Theological Foundations for Ecumenism

    Ray Williamson’s 2015 Ecumenics Summer School lecture notes on the biblical and theological bases of ecumenism.

    About the Authors

    Introduction to the Studies for Leaders

    The aim of the studies is to show that church unity is very much a teaching of Scripture. In one sense, Christians are already united in Christ, but to the world, the church looks very fragmented. The studies commence by looking at the gospels to establish the importance of church unity, and then we look at the nature of the church as the body of Christ, a community with a mission, but one that is hampered by sin. We then turn to the issue of doctrinal

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