Unity of Praise

Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer if there is a meal).

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In pairs or groups of three, have participants answer these questions: "When have you experienced a strong sense of unity with others? Why do you think you felt that unity?"

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). You likely won't get through all the questions in your time together. Consider inviting group members to work through any remaining questions on their own throughout the week.

• Read Psalm 133. This is a short psalm, one of fifteen "Songs of Ascents," ceremonial hymns sung by Jewish "pilgrims" as they made their way to Jerusalem for festivals.
  • How does singing a song together unite a group of people?
  • What does this psalm say about unity?
  • Based on your understanding of this psalm, what is the role of an individual in experiencing this kind of unity?
• Prepare to read Genesis 45:1-15 by providing the following context: The story of Joseph is an important one in the life of the Hebrew people. It starts in Genesis 37 and includes family tensions, ultimately resulting in Joseph, the favored son of Jacob, being sold into slavery and brought to Egypt. After famine affected Joseph's family in Canaan, the brothers went to Egypt, where, unbeknownst to them, their brother Joseph had become the "governor" of the land, overseeing the distribution of food he had helped accumulate. Genesis 45:1-15 picks up when Joseph is about to reveal his identity to them. Read Genesis 45:1-15.
  • What attributes of unity do you see in this text?
  • Imagine yourself as Joseph in this story. What thoughts, emotions, or actions could you envision experiencing?
  • Imagine yourself as one of Joseph's brothers. What thoughts, emotions, or actions could you envision experiencing?

• The Preaching Notes for August 16 say about Psalm 133:

  "[T]he psalm invites us to imagine unity that goes beyond borders, crossing boundaries and divisions. It invites us to see praise as a unifying force, something that brings us together. It's not a way of saying our God is better than your God, but that living in creation is a gift worthy of praise. Gratitude and acknowledgement of the source of our living can be an act of hospitality and blessing for all."
   

• How does praise unify people?
• What would need to happen for unity to become inclusive, expansive, and hospitable?
• What are the challenges to the kind of unity that you see in the scripture texts today? Where do you see God at work to meet those challenges?
• Just One Thing: What one thing could you do this week to be a person who works toward unity?
• Going Deeper on Your Own: This week, consider studying one of the other lectionary texts in the following pattern:
  • Prayerfully ask God to open your eyes to the scripture. (Psalm 119:18)
  • Read the text of your choice (Isaiah 56:1, 6-8, Psalm 67, Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32, Matthew 15:(10-20), 21-28) out loud.
  • What do you notice about the text?
  • What questions arise?
  • What do you think God might be saying to you in this text?

Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.

Sending Forth (2 minutes). End with the following prayer, a similar prayer, or the Lord's Prayer:

Oh God, how very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity! You reveal yourself in unity, bringing people together under you. Christ, you are our head, and we as your people are your body. Holy Spirit, unite us through your power and let our unity be a witness of your presence so that others may know you, too. We pray this in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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Rev. Dr. Ashlee Alley Crawford, Director of Adult Discipleship, an elder in the Great Plains Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, served in campus ministry for twelve years and in leadership with the Great Plains Conference for over a decade. She has a passion for connecting people with resources and encouraging them to nurture their faith and walk in step with Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. She has a D.Min. in spiritual direction from Asbury Theological Seminary. Ashlee also has a Certificate in Discipleship Coaching through Discipleship Ministries.