Unity in Diversity: Embracing Our Differences in Christ
Summary
Today’s teaching explored the beauty and challenge of living as a “fellowship of difference” within the church. Using the analogy of a blended salad—where all the unique flavors are lost when everything is mashed together—I encouraged us to see that God’s vision for His people is not uniformity, but unity in diversity. Each of us brings a different background, set of experiences, and ways of expressing our faithfulness to Jesus. Rather than erasing these differences, we are called to welcome one another, to be curious about each other’s stories, and to honor the unique ways God is at work in each life.
We looked at Romans 14, where Paul addresses a church divided over issues of conscience—what foods to eat, which days to honor, and how to live out faith in a diverse community. The early church was a mix of Jews and Gentiles, each with their own traditions and sensitivities. Paul’s instruction is not to judge or despise one another over disputable matters, but to remember that each person stands or falls before their own Master—Jesus. Our job is not to make everyone like us, but to help each other become more like Christ.
This means we must resist the urge to elevate our preferences or backgrounds to the level of gospel truth. Instead, we are to actively welcome those who differ from us, refrain from gossip and judgment, and ask honest, curious questions about how others honor Christ in their lives. The diversity in our church is not a problem to be solved, but a gift to be received—a sign of God’s grace at work among us. As we learn to love, listen, and grow together, we display the unity that only the Spirit of God can create.
At the heart of our life together is the table of the Lord, where we remember that Jesus didn’t just give us a list of beliefs, but gave us Himself. In communion, we are invited into covenant with God and with one another—a unity that honors our differences and draws us deeper into Christ’s likeness.
Key Takeaways
- Unity in the church is not the same as uniformity. God delights in our differences and calls us to be one in Christ without erasing the unique ways He has shaped each of us. True unity is found not in making everyone the same, but in learning to love and honor one another as we are, for the sake of Christ. [13:07]
- Welcoming those who are “weak in faith” means making space for people whose backgrounds, practices, or struggles differ from our own. Instead of demanding explanations or conformity, we are called to active hospitality and patient curiosity, trusting that God is at work in every story. [08:43]
- Our practices—what we eat, how we worship, the habits we keep—should be done “unto the Lord.” The real question is not whether others approve, but whether we can offer our lives to Jesus with a clear conscience, seeking to honor Him in all things. [22:14]
- Judging others over disputable matters reveals a lack of trust in God’s ability to lead His people. Each of us will give an account to Christ, not to one another. Our focus should be on our own faithfulness and on encouraging others toward Christ, not on policing their journey. [28:51]
- Curiosity is a spiritual discipline that opens the door to deeper fellowship. By asking, “Tell me more about how you honor Christ with your life?” we move from suspicion to understanding, and from division to genuine community. This posture of humble inquiry is essential for a church that wants to reflect the heart of Jesus. [34:25]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:28] - Salad Bar Analogy: Blending Differences
[02:44] - The Problem with Erasing Distinctions
[03:55] - Embracing Unique Perspectives in Community
[04:45] - The Work of Welcoming Differences
[06:57] - Real Accountability and Spiritual Growth
[07:51] - Reading Romans 14:1-12
[08:43] - Welcoming the Weak in Faith
[10:25] - Living and Dying to the Lord
[12:00] - Judging vs. Helping Each Other Grow
[13:07] - Unity Is Not Uniformity
[17:11] - The Roman Church: Meat, Vegetables, and Conscience
[20:41] - Navigating Cultural and Spiritual Backgrounds
[22:14] - Honoring Christ in Our Practices
[28:51] - Standing Before Christ Alone
[31:47] - Curiosity and the Fellowship of Difference
[36:05] - Communion: Covenant and Unity in Christ
[39:02] - Invitation to Reflect and Respond
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Fellowship of Difference
---
### Bible Reading
Romans 14:1-12 (ESV)
> As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
>
> One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.
>
> For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
>
> Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written,
>
> “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
> and every tongue shall confess to God.”
>
> So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
---
### Observation Questions
1. What were the main issues causing division in the Roman church according to Romans 14? ([08:43])
2. How does Paul describe the relationship between each believer and Jesus in this passage? ([10:25])
3. What does Paul say about judging or despising other believers over “disputable matters”? ([11:14])
4. According to the sermon, what is the difference between unity and uniformity in the church? ([13:07])
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Paul emphasizes that “each of us will give an account of himself to God” instead of to each other? How does this shape the way we relate to people who practice their faith differently? ([28:51])
2. The sermon talked about “welcoming those who are weak in faith.” What might it look like to welcome someone whose background or practices are very different from your own? ([08:43])
3. How can curiosity about another person’s story or way of honoring Christ help build unity in a diverse church? ([34:25])
4. What are some dangers of elevating our own preferences or backgrounds to the level of gospel truth? ([31:47])
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### Application Questions
1. Think about a time when you felt out of place or different in a church setting. How did others respond to your differences? How did that experience affect your sense of belonging? ([13:07])
2. Are there “disputable matters” (like worship style, food, holidays, or other practices) that you tend to judge others for? What would it look like to let go of judgment and instead be curious about their story? ([11:14])
3. The sermon encouraged us to ask, “Tell me more about how you honor Christ with your life.” Who in your church or small group could you ask this question to this week? What might you learn from their answer? ([34:25])
4. Is there a preference or tradition from your background that you have elevated to “gospel truth”? How can you hold it more loosely and focus on Christ instead? ([31:47])
5. When you notice someone’s faithfulness to Jesus looks different than yours, what is your first reaction—suspicion, judgment, or curiosity? How can you practice a posture of humble inquiry this month? ([34:25])
6. Communion is described as a table where Jesus gives us Himself, not just a list of beliefs. How does this shape your understanding of unity in the church? How can you approach communion with a heart that honors both unity and diversity? ([36:05])
7. What is one practical step you can take this week to welcome someone who is “different” in your church or community? ([08:43])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help you see the beauty in the differences around you, to give you a spirit of curiosity and welcome, and to make your group a place where everyone can grow to be more like Christ.
Devotional
Day 1: Unity in the Church Is Not Uniformity
God’s design for the church is not to erase our differences, but to bring us together in Christ, celebrating the unique gifts, backgrounds, and perspectives each person brings. True unity is not about everyone becoming the same, but about being shaped together into Christ’s likeness while honoring the diversity God has given. When we try to blend everyone into sameness, we lose the richness and flavor of God’s family, but when we welcome differences, we display the grace and creativity of God to the world. [13:07]
Romans 14:1-4 (ESV)
As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
Reflection: Who in your church family has a different background or perspective than you? How can you intentionally welcome and honor their unique contribution this week?
Day 2: Living and Dying to the Lord
Every aspect of our lives—whether we live or die, eat or abstain, celebrate or refrain—belongs to the Lord. Our identity is rooted in Christ, not in our personal preferences or practices, and we are called to live with a clear conscience, offering every part of our lives as a living sacrifice to God. This means evaluating our daily choices and habits, asking whether we can truly do them to honor Jesus, and remembering that our ultimate accountability is to Him. [10:25]
Romans 14:7-12 (ESV)
For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Reflection: What is one daily habit or decision you make that you need to re-examine—can you truly do it “unto the Lord”? What would it look like to offer it to Him today?
Day 3: Welcoming One Another Without Judgment
God calls us to actively welcome those whose faithfulness or practices differ from our own, refraining from judgment and instead seeking to help one another become more like Christ. Differences in conscience and practice are not grounds for division, but opportunities to encourage, learn, and grow together as a diverse family. When we focus on where we are going—toward Jesus—instead of where we come from, we create a community where everyone is valued and supported in their journey of faith. [08:43]
Romans 14:1 (ESV)
As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.
Reflection: Who is someone in your life whose way of following Jesus looks different from yours? How can you show them genuine welcome and curiosity instead of judgment this week?
Day 4: Honoring Christ in All Things
The true test of our actions and spiritual disciplines is whether they are done to honor Christ, not to impress others or fulfill empty rituals. Every part of our lives—our time, habits, relationships, and even our struggles—should be offered to Jesus, seeking His satisfaction and approval above all. When we surrender more of ourselves to Him, we find deeper fulfillment and become more like Him, living lives marked by true flourishing and joy. [22:14]
Colossians 3:17 (ESV)
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Reflection: Is there an area of your life you have kept separate from Jesus? What is one step you can take today to offer that area to Him and seek to honor Him in it?
Day 5: Practicing Curiosity and Mutual Encouragement
A healthy church is marked by curiosity and a willingness to learn from one another, especially across lines of difference. Instead of elevating our preferences to the level of gospel truth, we are called to ask questions, listen to each other’s stories, and encourage one another to follow Jesus more closely. This posture of curiosity and mutual encouragement helps us avoid gossip and division, and instead builds a community where everyone is spurred on toward Christlikeness. [31:47]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Reflection: Who can you approach this week with genuine curiosity about their walk with Jesus? What is one question you can ask to encourage them and learn from their faithfulness?
Quotes
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