We Need Others in Our Lives

LESSON 30 WE NEED OTHERS IN OUR LIVES PART 1 

1. GOAL

We will learn that God wants us to fellowship with one another.

2. INTRODUCTION

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Psalm 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! God intends for us to experience life together. The Bible calls this shared experience fellowship. Today, however, the word has lost most of its biblical meaning. “Fellowship” now usually refers to casual conversation, socializing, food, and fun. The question, “Where do you fellowship?” means “Where do you attend church?” “Stay after for fellowship” usually means “Wait for refreshments.” Real fellowship is so much more than just showing up at services. It is experiencing life together. It includes unselfish loving, honest sharing, practical serving, sacrificial giving, sympathetic comforting, and all the other “one another” commands found in the New Testament. When it comes to fellowship, size matters: Smaller is better. You can worship with a crowd, but you can’t fellowship with one. Once a group becomes larger than about ten people, someone stops participating – usually the quietest person – and a few people will dominate the group. Jesus ministered in the context of a small group of disciples. He could have chosen more, but He knew twelve is about the maximum size you can have in a small group if everyone is to participate.

3. QUESTION

What are the blessings of joining a fellowship group?

We need others in life, 30 CG Life of God’s purpose 4. CONTENT

In real fellowship people experience authenticity

Acts 2:46-47 And day after day they regularly assembled in the temple with united purpose, and in their homes they broke bread [including the Lord's Supper]. They partook of their food with gladness and simplicity and generous hearts, 47Constantly praising God and being in favor and goodwill with all the people; and the Lord kept adding [to their number] daily those who were being saved [from spiritual death]. (AMP) Authentic fellowship is not superficial, surface-level chit-chat. It is genuine, heart-to- heart, sometimes gut-level, sharing. It happens when people get honest about who they are and what is happening in their lives. They share their hurts, reveal their feelings, confess their failures, disclose their doubts, admit their fears, acknowledge their weaknesses, and ask for help and prayer. Authenticity is the exact opposite of what you find in some churches. Instead of an atmosphere of honesty and humility, there is pretending, role playing, politicking, and superficial politeness but shallow conversation. People wear masks, keep their guard up, and act as if everything is rosy in their lives. These attitudes are the death of real fellowship. It is only as we become open about our lives that we experience real fellowship. The Bible says, “If we live in the light, as God is in the light, we can share fellowship with each other … If we say we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves.” (1 John 1:7-8-NCV) The world thinks intimacy occurs in the dark, but God says it happens in the light. Darkness is used to hide our hurts, faults, fears, failures, and flaws. But in the light, we bring them all out into the open and admit who we really are. Of course, being authentic requires both courage and humility. It means facing our fear of exposure, rejection, and being hurt again. Why would anyone take such a risk? It is because it is the only way to grow spiritually and be emotionally healthy. The Bible says, “Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed.” (James 5:16-MSG) We only grow by taking risks, and the most difficult risk of all is to be honest with ourselves and with others.

In real fellowship people experience mutuality

2 Mutuality is the art of giving and receiving. It’s depending on each other. The Bible says, “The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part.” (1 Corinthians 12:25-MSG) Mutuality is the heart of fellowship: building reciprocal relationships, sharing responsibilities, and helping each other. Paul said, “I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you.” (Romans 1:12-NCV) All of us are more consistent in our faith when others walk with us and encourage us. The Bible commands mutual accountability, mutual encouragement, mutual serving, and mutual honoring. Over fifty times in the New Testament we are commanded to do different tasks to “one another” and “each other.” The Bible says, “Make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” (Romans 14:19-NIV) You are not responsible for everyone in the Body of Christ, but you are responsible to them. God expects you to do whatever you can to help them.

5. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

What did God speak to your through this lesson? What do you plan to change?

6. MEMORIZED SCRIPTURE

Romans 14:19 Make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” (NIV)