Hebrews 10:24-25

24. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25. Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

1. The Enemies of Authentic Community 正宗群體的敵人

A. Individualism 個人主義

B. Isolationism 孤立主義

C. Indifference 漠不關心

2. The Elements of Authentic Community 正宗群體的元素

A. Exhorting one another 彼此勸勉 v.24
Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works

B. Engaging with one another 彼此合作 v.25
Not neglecting to meet together

C. Encouraging each other 互相鼓勵 v.25
but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near

Our role in church is not just to show up. Our role is to have an impact on one another.

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1 John 1:3 / 1 Corinthians 1:9

With only 50 friends, you can have a party everyday! The core value of fellowship with friends is Intimacy.

1. Mutual attraction
2. Mutual love
3. Mutually willing to lend a helping hand
4. Mutually willing to take risks

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The Church is a family. We fellowship with one another, but because of the ever-increasing number, we need to join small groups to have a real fellowship life. During the Lord Jesus’ ministry on earth, thousands followed him. However, he chose 12 Apostles to live together with him. They were a small group.

The core value of fellowship with small group is ‘sharing’. Acts 4:36 to 5:11 record two stories: the first is the story of Barnabas, the second is the story of a couple named Ananias and Sapphira. They sold everything they owned and gave the money from the sale to the Church, and they shared it with the brethren; however, one was true giving and the other false. Lt us learn from these examples the difference between true and false sharing.

1. Praise vs Flattery

2. Generous vs Greedy Sharing

3. Sharing to Give vs Sharing to Test God

4. True Sharing vs False Sharing

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Scripture passage: 1 John 1:3 and 1 Cor 1:9

We are baptized into the name of The Lord Jesus Christ when we become believers, henceforth, we belong to Christ and the Church “Belonging” is at the heart of fellowship with the Church. The Church is the Body of Christ, it is also the eternal home of God.

There are four principles we must understand.

1. Regard Christ as the head of your family

2. Learn and Grow

3. Submit to the Authorities

4. Practice Love and Acceptance

Small Group Discussion

1. What does it mean to regard Christ as your parent? When everyone regards Christ as his parent, how will it change the church?

2. In the home, we must learn and grow. How is a mature parent different from an immature parent? How will his maturity as a parent affect the home?

3. Home is a place of love, so why is there a need for governance? What problems may arise if we do not submit to the authorities inside the home?

4. Love and acceptance are necessary among family members, but why is it very difficult for family members to accept one another? Do you have any suggestions?

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See also Part 3 of the Fellowship series

After we come to faith, we are baptized in the name of The Lord Jesus Christ, we belong then to Christ and the Church. “Belonging” is the core value of fellowship with the Church.

The Church is the Body of Christ, there are six principles we must understand.

1. Identify with the Body (1 Cor 12:14-16)

2. Recognize the Body Parts (1 Cor 12:17-20)

3. Each Part has its Own Function and Role (1 Cor 12:17-18)

4. The Different Parts Need and Complement One Another (1 Cor 12:21)

5. The Different Parts Need to Complete and Care for One Another (1 Cor 12:22-25)

6. The Different Parts Rejoice and Suffer with One Another (1 Cor 12:26-27)

Small Group Questions

1. What does identifying with the body mean?

2. What does it mean to recognize the different body parts?

3. What will happen if any one body part refused to do its work? If that happens in the Church, what will happen?

4. What does needing and complementing one another mean?

5. What does it mean to complete and care for one another? Do you have such experiences?

6. How can we rejoice with those who rejoice, suffer with those who suffer?

The post Fellowship with God and Men (4) – Fellowship with the Church, Part 1 appeared first on Christian Bible Church of the Philippines.

See also Part 2 of this series | Part 4 of this series

What is the most essential aspect of the family? It is love, but what is love? We can hear the word ‘love’ uttered constantly on the television, in the movies, in pop music, between men and women.

Because of love, many marriages and families are formed, but many marriages are torn apart by love too. Many drive love out from their families. We all need love, but we don’t know how to love.

1. But have no love

2. Love is …

3. Love is not …

Small Group Discussions

1. Why is the family the best place to practice love?

2. How can a person with faith, well-gifted, powerful, and even sacrificial have no love?

3. Love is patient and kind. Is there someone or some situation where you are learning to exercise patience and show love towards others? Please share.

4. What is love? Can you please share one of its many characteristics? What experiences do you have about it?

The post Fellowship with God and Men (3) — Fellowship with Family Members (1 John 1:3 and 1 Cor 1:9) appeared first on Christian Bible Church of the Philippines.

1. Definition of Life Connection (Fellowship)

2. Most High and Most Holy Life Connection

3. Fellowship in True Love
– through connection with the Church Body

4. Results of Fellowship
– shows we are disciples of Jesus Christ
– shows we are friends of Jesus Christ
– to love each other is to obey God’s command
– made holy and blameless when the Lord returns

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Scripture Passage: 1 John 1:3 and 1 Corinthians 1:9

See also: Part 1 of this series | Part 3 of this series

There are six forms of fellowshipping with men:
1. Fellowship with oneself
2. Fellowship with family members
3. Fellowship with the church
4. Fellowship with a small group
5. Fellowship with co-workers
6. Fellowship with friends

Today, let us reflect on one important point: how do we fellowship with ourselves?

The core element for fellowshipping with oneself is Acceptance.

1. Accept that you are chosen by God (Eph 1:4-5)

2. Accept that you are a new creation, with a new identity

The world evaluates and judges us according to its own standard: what does he look like? How well did he do? How important is he?

For there to be self-acceptance, we must have:

a. A New appraisal (Romans 12:3)
– Do not think too highly of ourselves
– view ourselves with sober judgment

b. A New identity:
– What kind of person does God want me to become?
– What does God want me to do for Him?
– Am I faithfully doing what God has entrusted to me to do? (Am I doing my best for God?)

The biggest hindrance to self-acceptance: comparing ourselves to others.

3. Accept the mission that God has given you

Moses voiced out four objections to God before accepting his mission:

a. Who am I? I am nobody (It matters not who you are, what matters is that God is with you)

b. Who are you? (God revealed himself: I am who I am, I am what you need)

c. The Israelites will not believe (God gave him miracles)

d. I am useless, not equipped (God taught him what to say)

Small Group Discussions:

1. Why should we accept ourselves before we can fellowship with others? What areas about yourself are you unable to accept?

2. Why did God choose you? How should you accept God’s selection of you?

3. How do you value yourself? Can you answer the three identity questions?

4. What mission has God given you? Are you a mission-minded person?

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See also: Part 2 of this series

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