<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Scripture: Ephesians 4:16 <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“From whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies… makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love.”<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">APEST is not just about understanding ourselves. It helps us understand how we fit into God’s larger design for the church.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When we have a shared language, we can work together better. We begin to recognise different strengths without fear or competition. We can name what we see, encourage one another, and notice when something is missing or unhealthy.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This matters for Klēsia. A disciple-making movement needs people who are growing together. We need people who can bring vision, truth, good news, care, and wisdom. We need every part of the body working in love.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Getting our definitions right is important because words shape how we understand one another. If we misunderstand APEST, we may label people wrongly or limit what God is doing. But if we learn together, we can grow in maturity and unity.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The point is not to put everyone in a box. The point is to become more like Jesus together.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Over time, mature believers grow across all five gifts. We learn from Jesus and from one another. We strengthen areas that are not natural to us. We allow the Spirit to form us for the sake of the whole body.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today, ask God to help your community grow in shared understanding, love, and mission.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Reflection questions:<ol style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); list-style-type: decimal; font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How could shared language around APEST help our community grow together?</li><li aria-level="1" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); list-style-type: decimal; font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is one step I can take to help build up the body of Christ in love?</li></ol><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prayer: <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 15pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jesus, knit us together as Your body and help us grow in shared understanding. Shape Klēsia into a mature, loving, disciple-making community that carries Your life into the world. Amen.

APEST is not just about understanding ourselves. It helps us understand how we fit into God’s larger design for the church.

7.A Shared Language for a Shared Mission

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7.A Shared Language for a Shared Mission

7.A Shared Language for a Shared Mission

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