Episode 5:  Grace

Daily Reading:

Day 1: Romans 1-3

Day 2: Galatians 1:1-3:5, 5:2-12

Day 3: Galatians 3:6-4:7, Romans 4

Day 4: Romans 5-8, Galatians 5:13-25

Day 5: Romans 9-11

Day 6: Galatians 3:23-29

Day 7: Group Meeting Experience on: Romans 14:1-15:2

Have you ever done a group project? Chances are, you have. As you worked on that project, what role did you play? Were you the organizer, keeping everyone on task? The creative thinker, coming up with big ideas? Or maybe you were the quiet supporter, ensuring all the details were handled smoothly. In every group project, each person brings something unique to the table. But let’s be honest—nothing is more frustrating than when some people don’t pull their weight, leaving you to figure out how to make it all work. That kind of tension can make or break a project, and navigating it is never easy. 

Now imagine you’re the Apostle Paul, leading the ultimate group project: the Early Church. Jesus has come, lived, died, resurrected, and ascended, and now it’s your job to figure out how to turn this diverse group of believers into a united body called the church. Scholar and theologian N.T. Wright paints a vivid picture of Paul, saying: 

“When people in churches today discuss Paul and his letters, they often think only of the man of ideas who dealt with lofty and difficult concepts, implying a world of libraries, seminar rooms, or at least the minister’s study for quiet sermon preparation. We easily forget that the author of these letters spent most of his waking hours with his sleeves rolled up, doing hard physical work in a hot climate and that perhaps two-thirds of the conversations he had with people about Jesus and the gospel were conducted not in a place of worship or study, not even in a private home, but in a small, cramped workshop. Saul had his feet on the ground, and his hands were hardened with labor. But his head still buzzed with scripture and the news about Jesus.” 

Paul’s task was to guide the early church through incredible conflict and complexity. They had to define their basic beliefs, theologies, and doctrines—all while bringing together people from different cultures and religions. This wasn’t an easy job. Paul built communities, mentored them, and coached them as they wrestled with how to live together in unity. It was a challenging task, one that came at a great personal cost. 

Sometimes, we get into trouble with Paul when we forget he was a man of the first century, shaped by the context of his time—not someone whose values always mirror our own. As our Pastor of Congregational Care, Jonathan Watts, humorously remarked, “I believe when we get to heaven, Paul will be teaching a seminar called, ‘That’s not what I said.’” 

But here’s the truth about Paul: even though he was deeply rooted in his time, he proclaimed ideas that were radically countercultural. One of his most powerful statements comes from Galatians 3:28: 

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” 

I often wonder what Paul’s words might sound like today. Perhaps he would say, “There is neither Republican nor Democrat, rich nor poor, young nor old, black nor white, for we are all one in Christ Jesus.” In the body of Christ, our differences do not divide us; they enrich us. They remind us that we are united by something far greater than our worldly identities. 

As covenant people, we don’t always agree. In fact, some days it might feel like we don’t agree on much at all. But our unity isn’t rooted in agreement; it’s rooted in our shared faith in Jesus Christ and our commitment to live as His followers. The early church faced its fair share of division, cultural clashes, and disagreements, yet with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, they found ways to honor their differences, work together, and build a community grounded in love and grace. 

Similarly, we are called to embrace the diversity within the body of Christ—not as a problem to solve, but as a gift that makes us stronger. When we engage in the hard work of living in covenant, we’re reminded that unity isn’t about uniformity. It’s about reflecting God’s love in how we treat, listen to, and grow with one another.

So today, take a moment to reflect: What role are you playing in the group project that is the body of Christ? Are you working to build unity, even when it’s difficult? Are you extending grace, even when someone doesn’t pull their weight? And are you listening for the Holy Spirit’s guidance as we move forward together as one? Because at the end of the day, our covenant with God—and with each other—reminds us that we’re not alone in this work. We’re all part of something far greater than ourselves.

Discussion Questions:

1. What role do you typically play in group projects, and how does that reflect the way you engage with the church community?
2. How can we, as a church, embrace our differences as strengths rather than sources of division? What practical steps can we take to live out Paul’s vision of unity in Christ?
3. When faced with conflict or disagreement in your faith community, how do you seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance to move forward in love and grace?