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One Body, Many Parts
The Church is the body of Christ, and every believer has a purpose. In this teaching, we will learn why unity does not mean we all must be the same, and why God’s design includes many parts working together as one. If you have ever felt like you do not belong, this message will encourage your faith.
Video
https://youtu.be/114-31gFJ7U
Audio
Estimated reading time: 11 minutes
Table of contentsVideoAudioDownloads & LinksIntroductionScripture Reading1 Corinthians 12:12–27God Designed the Body of Christ on PurposeUnity Does Not Require SamenessQuestionEvery Part Has a Role in Strengthening the ChurchReflectionThis WeekClosing EncouragementNext WeekLeader Notes & Small Group Discussion QuestionsScripture Focus:Leader NotesThis Week
Downloads & Links
2026-02-01 - One Body Many Parts Notes
2026-02-01 - One Body Many Parts Notes
Watch the video of this teaching on our YouTube channel or above.
Introduction
God did not save you only to forgive you. He saved you to build you into something bigger than yourself. He placed you in the body of Christ on purpose. You matter. Your presence matters. Your faith matters. The Church is not complete without you.
This week we are beginning a new teaching series called Built Together – Why the Church Still Matters. In this series, we are going to learn what Scripture teaches about the body of Christ, and why Christian community is still essential today.
Today’s teaching is called One Body, Many Parts. We are going to talk about unity in the Church, and why every believer matters.
Scripture Reading
Let us begin by reading from 1 Corinthians 12:12–27.
1 Corinthians 12:12–27
(12) Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. (13) For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. (14) Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. (15) Now if the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. (16) And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. (17) If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? (18) But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. (19) If they were all one part, where would the body be? (20) As it is, there are many parts, but one body. (21) The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" (22) On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, (23) and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, (24) while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, (25) so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. (26) If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. (27) Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
The apostle Paul writes that the body is one, but it has many parts. He explains that the human body has many members, but they work together as one. Then he says something powerful. He says, “So it is with Christ.”
Paul teaches us that the Church is like a living body. It is not just a group. It is not just an organization. It is not just a place people go on a Sunday. The Church is the body of Christ. And if you are a follower of Jesus, you are a part of that body.
Paul also says something that many believers need to hear today. Every part matters. The body needs every part. No part can say, “I do not belong.” And no part can say, “I do not need you.”
This is the foundation for Week 1 of this series.
God Designed the Body of Christ on Purpose
One of the first truths we learn from 1 Corinthians 12 is this: God designed the body of Christ on purpose.
The Church is not an accident. Your place in the Church is not random. Your gifts, your personality, your background, your story, and even your struggles can be used by God for His purposes.
Some believers feel like they are on the outside. They feel like they do not fit in. They feel like they are not spiritual enough. They feel like they are not important enough.
But Scripture does not support that thinking.
Paul says that God arranged the members of the body, each one of them, as He chose. That means God did not only choose to save you. He also chose to place you.
You might not feel like you have much to offer. You might feel weak. You might feel tired. You might feel like you have failed too many times. But God is not looking for perfect people. He is building His people together.
The body of Christ needs faithful believers who will walk with Jesus day by day.
Sometimes we think our value is based on what we can do. We think our value is based on how visible our role is. We think our value is based on whether people notice us. But in the body of Christ, value is not based on attention. Value is based on God’s design.
Paul makes it clear that there are parts of the human body that people do not see. But those parts are essential. Without them, nothing works.
In the same way, some of the most important work in the Church happens quietly.
Prayer happens quietly.Encouragement happens quietly.Faithfulness happens quietly.Hospitality happens quietly.Serving happens quietly.Caring for someone who is hurting often happens quietly.
But the body of Christ cannot function without those faithful parts.
If you have ever wondered if you matter in the Church, we want to answer that today with truth.
Yes. You matter.
You are not an extra part. You are not a backup plan. You are not a burden. You are part of the body of Christ, and God placed you where you are for a reason.
Unity Does Not Require Sameness
The second truth we learn today is this: Unity does not require sameness.
This is one of the most important lessons for the Church right now.
Many people think unity means everyone must think the same way about everything. They think unity means everyone must have the same personality. They think unity means everyone must prefer the same style of worship. They think unity means everyone must serve the same way.
But that is not what Paul teaches.
Paul says the body has many parts, but it is one body. A body is unified, but it is not identical. The hand is not the foot. The eye is not the ear. They are different, but they belong to the same body.
In the body of Christ, God brings together many kinds of people.
Some people are bold. Some people are quiet. Some people are leaders. Some people serve behind the scenes. Some people teach. Some people build. Some people give. Some people encourage. Some people pray.
God does not call us to erase our differences. He calls us to bring our differences under the lordship of Jesus Christ. That is how unity works.
Unity is not sameness. Unity is agreement in what matters most.
We agree that Jesus is Lord. We agree that He died for our sins. We agree that He rose again. We agree that salvation is by grace through faith. We agree that the Word of God is truth. We agree that we are called to love one another.
That is the foundation of unity.
Paul also says that we are baptized by one Spirit into one body. That means the Holy Spirit creates unity in the body of Christ. It is spiritual unity, not human agreement on every detail.
Unity looks like humility. Unity looks like patience. Unity looks like listening. Unity looks like forgiveness. Unity looks like refusing to tear down other believers. Unity looks like serving together even when we are different.
Unity does not mean we will always see everything the same way. But it does mean we will choose love over division. We will choose peace over pride. We will choose to build, not break.
This series is called Built Together, and that matters. The Church will not be built through competition. The Church will not be built through criticism. The body of Christ is built through love, truth, and shared devotion to Jesus Christ.
Question
Let me ask you a question, and we would love for you to answer it in the comments:
Where do you see God using your gifts to strengthen the body of Christ?
Your answer might encourage someone else who is still trying to figure out where they belong.
Every Part Has a Role in Strengthening the Church
The third truth we learn today is this: Every part has a role in strengthening the Church.
Paul teaches that the body works best when every part is doing what it is meant to do. This does not mean everyone has the same role. It means everyone has a role.
And one of the dangers in the Church is comparison.
Some believers compare themselves to others and feel small. They think, “I do not preach like that person. I do not sing like that person. I do not lead like that person. I do not know the Bible like that person. I must not be important.”
But that is not how the body works.
Your calling is not supposed to match someone else’s calling. Your gift is not supposed to match someone else’s gift.
Your role might be something simple, but it can still be powerful.
You might be someone who notices people. You might be someone who welcomes newcomers. You might be someone who checks on those who are sick. You might be someone who shares Scripture with a friend who is struggling.
View all episodes
By Cell Life Church - Weekly Bible TeachingThe Church is the body of Christ, and every believer has a purpose. In this teaching, we will learn why unity does not mean we all must be the same, and why God’s design includes many parts working together as one. If you have ever felt like you do not belong, this message will encourage your faith.
Video
https://youtu.be/114-31gFJ7U
Audio
Estimated reading time: 11 minutes
Table of contentsVideoAudioDownloads & LinksIntroductionScripture Reading1 Corinthians 12:12–27God Designed the Body of Christ on PurposeUnity Does Not Require SamenessQuestionEvery Part Has a Role in Strengthening the ChurchReflectionThis WeekClosing EncouragementNext WeekLeader Notes & Small Group Discussion QuestionsScripture Focus:Leader NotesThis Week
Downloads & Links
2026-02-01 - One Body Many Parts Notes
2026-02-01 - One Body Many Parts Notes
Watch the video of this teaching on our YouTube channel or above.
Introduction
God did not save you only to forgive you. He saved you to build you into something bigger than yourself. He placed you in the body of Christ on purpose. You matter. Your presence matters. Your faith matters. The Church is not complete without you.
This week we are beginning a new teaching series called Built Together – Why the Church Still Matters. In this series, we are going to learn what Scripture teaches about the body of Christ, and why Christian community is still essential today.
Today’s teaching is called One Body, Many Parts. We are going to talk about unity in the Church, and why every believer matters.
Scripture Reading
Let us begin by reading from 1 Corinthians 12:12–27.
1 Corinthians 12:12–27
(12) Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. (13) For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. (14) Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. (15) Now if the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. (16) And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. (17) If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? (18) But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. (19) If they were all one part, where would the body be? (20) As it is, there are many parts, but one body. (21) The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" (22) On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, (23) and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, (24) while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, (25) so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. (26) If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. (27) Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
The apostle Paul writes that the body is one, but it has many parts. He explains that the human body has many members, but they work together as one. Then he says something powerful. He says, “So it is with Christ.”
Paul teaches us that the Church is like a living body. It is not just a group. It is not just an organization. It is not just a place people go on a Sunday. The Church is the body of Christ. And if you are a follower of Jesus, you are a part of that body.
Paul also says something that many believers need to hear today. Every part matters. The body needs every part. No part can say, “I do not belong.” And no part can say, “I do not need you.”
This is the foundation for Week 1 of this series.
God Designed the Body of Christ on Purpose
One of the first truths we learn from 1 Corinthians 12 is this: God designed the body of Christ on purpose.
The Church is not an accident. Your place in the Church is not random. Your gifts, your personality, your background, your story, and even your struggles can be used by God for His purposes.
Some believers feel like they are on the outside. They feel like they do not fit in. They feel like they are not spiritual enough. They feel like they are not important enough.
But Scripture does not support that thinking.
Paul says that God arranged the members of the body, each one of them, as He chose. That means God did not only choose to save you. He also chose to place you.
You might not feel like you have much to offer. You might feel weak. You might feel tired. You might feel like you have failed too many times. But God is not looking for perfect people. He is building His people together.
The body of Christ needs faithful believers who will walk with Jesus day by day.
Sometimes we think our value is based on what we can do. We think our value is based on how visible our role is. We think our value is based on whether people notice us. But in the body of Christ, value is not based on attention. Value is based on God’s design.
Paul makes it clear that there are parts of the human body that people do not see. But those parts are essential. Without them, nothing works.
In the same way, some of the most important work in the Church happens quietly.
Prayer happens quietly.Encouragement happens quietly.Faithfulness happens quietly.Hospitality happens quietly.Serving happens quietly.Caring for someone who is hurting often happens quietly.
But the body of Christ cannot function without those faithful parts.
If you have ever wondered if you matter in the Church, we want to answer that today with truth.
Yes. You matter.
You are not an extra part. You are not a backup plan. You are not a burden. You are part of the body of Christ, and God placed you where you are for a reason.
Unity Does Not Require Sameness
The second truth we learn today is this: Unity does not require sameness.
This is one of the most important lessons for the Church right now.
Many people think unity means everyone must think the same way about everything. They think unity means everyone must have the same personality. They think unity means everyone must prefer the same style of worship. They think unity means everyone must serve the same way.
But that is not what Paul teaches.
Paul says the body has many parts, but it is one body. A body is unified, but it is not identical. The hand is not the foot. The eye is not the ear. They are different, but they belong to the same body.
In the body of Christ, God brings together many kinds of people.
Some people are bold. Some people are quiet. Some people are leaders. Some people serve behind the scenes. Some people teach. Some people build. Some people give. Some people encourage. Some people pray.
God does not call us to erase our differences. He calls us to bring our differences under the lordship of Jesus Christ. That is how unity works.
Unity is not sameness. Unity is agreement in what matters most.
We agree that Jesus is Lord. We agree that He died for our sins. We agree that He rose again. We agree that salvation is by grace through faith. We agree that the Word of God is truth. We agree that we are called to love one another.
That is the foundation of unity.
Paul also says that we are baptized by one Spirit into one body. That means the Holy Spirit creates unity in the body of Christ. It is spiritual unity, not human agreement on every detail.
Unity looks like humility. Unity looks like patience. Unity looks like listening. Unity looks like forgiveness. Unity looks like refusing to tear down other believers. Unity looks like serving together even when we are different.
Unity does not mean we will always see everything the same way. But it does mean we will choose love over division. We will choose peace over pride. We will choose to build, not break.
This series is called Built Together, and that matters. The Church will not be built through competition. The Church will not be built through criticism. The body of Christ is built through love, truth, and shared devotion to Jesus Christ.
Question
Let me ask you a question, and we would love for you to answer it in the comments:
Where do you see God using your gifts to strengthen the body of Christ?
Your answer might encourage someone else who is still trying to figure out where they belong.
Every Part Has a Role in Strengthening the Church
The third truth we learn today is this: Every part has a role in strengthening the Church.
Paul teaches that the body works best when every part is doing what it is meant to do. This does not mean everyone has the same role. It means everyone has a role.
And one of the dangers in the Church is comparison.
Some believers compare themselves to others and feel small. They think, “I do not preach like that person. I do not sing like that person. I do not lead like that person. I do not know the Bible like that person. I must not be important.”
But that is not how the body works.
Your calling is not supposed to match someone else’s calling. Your gift is not supposed to match someone else’s gift.
Your role might be something simple, but it can still be powerful.
You might be someone who notices people. You might be someone who welcomes newcomers. You might be someone who checks on those who are sick. You might be someone who shares Scripture with a friend who is struggling.