February 15 2026

The heart of a Rust City Group is to care for people and carry the culture of Rust City Church.

You don’t have to follow this guide like a script! Use discernment from the Holy Spirit as you lead your group discussion.

If you notice that someone in your group needs additional care or support that’s beyond your capacity, please let a pastor know.

ICEBREAKER QUESTION OPTION:

If you could have dinner with any person (dead or alive), who would it be?

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BACKBONE pt. 2

SPEAKER: Pastor Wes Washington

Scriptures—

Ephesians 4:3-7; Ephesians 2:13-15; Galatians 3:28; Matt. 18:15-17

Key Takeaways—

• Unity in the Church is not something we create but something we must actively keep and preserve

• Christ's death on the cross reconciled both Jews and Gentiles, Republicans and Democrats, Black, White and Brown, breaking down dividing walls and creating one new humanity

• Division in the Church is a demonic strategy to weaken the body of Christ and make it ineffective

• The "bond of peace" functions like ligaments (syndesmosis) that hold bones together—without these connections, the body lacks stability

• There is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all

• Cancel culture and cutting people off contradicts the biblical mandate to pursue reconciliation

• We must treat those we've had conflict with as family who need to encounter Jesus again, continuing to love them even when reconciliation seems impossible

Discussion Questions—

1. Paul writes to both Jews and Gentiles who were deeply divided—what modern-day divisions in the Church does this mirror?

2. In what ways do we allow social media scrolling to fuel division and anxiety rather than working to cultivate peace and unity?

3. How can we actively work to tear down those walls?

4. How does viewing peace as an active bond (like ligaments holding bones together) rather than a passive absence of conflict change how you engage with fellow believers?

5. How can recognizing that Christ distributes grace uniquely to each person according to their measure help you stop judging others' spiritual journeys or pain?

6. In what ways do you find yourself struggling with 'cancel culture' or cutting people off when they offend you, rather than pursuing reconciliation as Christ calls us to?

7. How does the process outlined in Matthew 18:15-17 challenge our culture's tendency to gossip on social media or avoid direct confrontation when someone hurts us?

Practical application—

Choose ONE of the following practices to implement this week:

Option 1: reconciliation

• Reach out for reconciliation: If there's someone you've cut off or have unresolved conflict with, initiate a conversation using Matthew 18:15 as your guide. Approach them directly, humbly, and with the goal of reconciliation. If you need to, bring in a neutral third party (mature believer) to help facilitate reconciliation.

Option 2: connection

• Bridge a divide: Intentionally have a meal or coffee with someone in the body of Christ who is different from you (different generation, political view, cultural background, etc.). Maybe someone in your small group. Listen to understand, not to respond.

Closing Prayer—

Heavenly Father, weave us together in a spirit of true unity, making us one in heart and purpose.

Lord, we bring our broken relationships to You; please bring Your supernatural healing and restoration where there has been hurt. Grant us the courage to step out in humility and initiate the difficult conversations needed to re-establish peace.

Holy Spirit, convict us clearly whenever our words or actions begin to cause division. May our life together as Rust City Church be a powerful witness to this world, showing them the beauty of Your reconciliation through our love for one another.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.