Lesson 13 Serving in Your Bible Fellowship
Growing Growing Wise Wise
Serving Your Bible Fellowship
Lesson Notes
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TEACHER TO TEACHER
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his is the last lesson in our unit on service and it is also the concluding lesson in the thirteen-week Growing Wise study. You will recall that Growing Wise was written as a follow-up to our study on the principles of spiritual growth titled The Prayer God Always Answers: Lord, Make Me a Spiritual Parent at Any Cost. In Growing Wise we turned to Scripture for wisdom related to three additional areas of spiritual growth: prayer, disciple-making, and servanthood. We bring the series and the unit to a close with a final lesson about love and service in your Bible Fellowship. In this study I will share with you our dream for your department or “faith community.” My prayer is that our dream will become your dream, your director’s dream, and a dream shared by everyone in your Bible Fellowship. The fulfillment of the dream is dependent upon two things: 1. The members of your department must put into practice the principles of loving and serving that we have learned in previous lessons by seeing one another’s needs and responding to meet those needs. This is about one member ministering to another. 2. The members of your department identify and minister to your Bible Fellowship as a whole through their spiritual gifts. This will serve to make your department spiritually powerful. Authentic community is fostered when we love and serve one another. It is through healthy, caring relationships that we become unified; it is through loving and serving that a group of individuals become one. It is also through each member ministering to the Bible Fellowship for the common good of everyone that the manifestation of the Spirit or the revelation of God’s grace and power is brought about. When we release or bless people to serve the faith community by functioning in roles in which they seem anointed to serve, we see not the individual’s power, but the power of God displayed in our midst.
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o you long for people to thrive in Christian community? Do you long for them to become spiritual mothers and fathers? Do you long for the gap to be closed in the lives of those whom you teach? Are you hungry to see God’s power revealed in your midst as you gather each Sunday? Then teach them from the Word and by your example to serve and love one another at every opportunity. And teach them from Word and by your example to discover their gifts and employ them for the benefit of the fellowship, so that everyone grows to maturity. May God’s grace be upon you in Spirit and power and you teach.
Helping People Close the Gap Through the Sunday Morning Experience
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Lesson 13 Serving Your Bible Fellowship
Notes
Growing Wise
STUDYING THE WORD TOGETHER
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ow would you respond to someone asking you to describe your Bible Fellowship? Would you say that you are a group of people who share faith in Christ and gather every Sunday to learn more about Him? Would you describe your department as a group of people who are committed to Christ, to becoming spiritual mothers and fathers, and to caring for one another? How would you respond? What would you say? I want to challenge you to take a few moments before going any further to write your answers to the two questions below. Please don’t opt out or skip over this part of the study.
What makes your Bible Fellowship a caring biblical faith community full of people who are growing toward spiritual maturity?
Would you describe your Bible Fellowship as “spiritually powerful?” If so, describe the evidence you see of God’s power in your group.
How are you feeling about your responses to the two questions posed in the above exercise? Do you think the questions are sufficiently relevant to even ask? Are you pleased with your Bible Fellowship in light of the questions asked? Are you discouraged? Again, how are you feeling about your responses? (I encourage you to review the questions as well as your answers with your Director[s] before you prepare your lesson. Get their feedback.) As we continue to think about the application of the principles of loving and serving, we must talk about how Bible Fellowship members can serve one another in their departments. May I begin our discussion by sharing with you your staff’s dream for your Bible Fellowship? We want you to understand that we desire something for your Bible
OUR DREAM FOR YOUR BIBLE FELLOWSHIP
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hat we dream for your Bible Fellowship has its roots in some of Paul’s teachings about the e)kklhsi/a, ekklesia [(ek-klay-see’-ah) ( NT1577)] and koinwni/a, koinonia [(koy-nohn-ee’ah) (NT:2842)]. 1
Ekklesia is most often translated into English as assembly or congregation. Paul uses the word 62 times in his New Testament writings. And his uses all predate the other instances of its occurrences in the New Testament.1 Paul first uses the words to describe the assembly or congregation of believers in Thessalonica. In addition to using the word to refer to a larger
Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, copyright © 1993 by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA. All rights reserved.
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Growing Wise assembly, Paul used it to indicate a “house church.” In some instances, the small group of “house church” members were the only believers in an entire city. In other places, the “house church” seemed to be a smaller circle of fellowship within a larger congregation. It is in the spirit of the latter that our dream for your Bible Fellowship has its roots. Our Bible Fellowships are the primary places for adults to experience authentic Christian community. They certainly are smaller circles of fellowship within our larger congregation.
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he most common word in the New Testament for community or fellowship is koinonia. It literally means participation. Besides community and fellowship, koinonia can mean “sharing in common.” But there seems to be much more to koinonia than what we can conclude from the literal meaning of the word. First, we recognize that there is a kinship between Christ-followers. Follow the logic of the following verses. Each forms a premise that leads to a logical conclusion. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:29) The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ... . (Romans 8:16-17) Here is a syllogism constructed from these two doctrinal truths: ♦ Premise 1: Jesus is God’s “firstborn” of many children. ♦ Premise 2: As believers in Christ, we, too, are God’s children. ♦ Conclusion: We, therefore, are brothers and sisters in God’s family. Relational truth also appears in the verses above. Do you see it? God’s intent 2
Lesson 13 Serving Your Bible Fellowship
from the very beginning was to have lots of children. What does that suggest to you about His heart? But there’s more! You and I are His children, too—and that makes us family! There is strong evidence that the local New Testament church also functioned as a healthy extended family. Look at the picture of Christian community that Luke paints for us in the second chapter of Acts.
Notes
[42] They spent their time in learning from the apostles, taking part in the fellowship, and sharing in the fellowship meals and the prayers. [43] Many miracles and wonders were being done through the apostles, and everyone was filled with awe. [44] All the believers continued together in close fellowship and shared their belongings with one another. [45] They would sell their property and possessions, and distribute the money among all, according to what each one needed. [46] Day after day they met as a group in the Temple, and they had their meals together in their homes, eating with glad and humble hearts, [47] praising God, and enjoying the good will of all the people. And every day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47, TEV2) The believers who assembled or gathered together as churches held many things in common. Of course they shared a belief in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Their loving response to Christ’s love for them was expressed in devotion to the Apostles’ teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread (love feast followed by the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer (v. 42). Those with an abundance shared from their wealth with those who had need (v. 45). It also is clear that as they lived life together, church members practiced a loving, mutual giving and receiving to meet one another’s needs. Paul encouraged
The Holy Bible, Today's English Version, First Edition, copyright © 1976 by the American Bible Society. Used by permission.
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Growing Wise
such behavior in congregations through the admonitions we have come to know as the “one another” verses: prefer one another, accept one another, bear each other’s burdens, encourage one another, comfort one another, forgive one another, etc. The Jerusalem church described in Acts 2 also was a “spiritually powerful” church: “Many miracles and wonders were being done through the apostles, and everyone was filled with awe” (v. 43). Clearly, the power of God was manifested, magnified, or made very clear as the Apostles submitted themselves to the Holy Spirit so that He could work through the spiritual gifts He gave them. It is evident in Romans 12:1-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 that believers other than the Apostles were given spiritual gifts. It also is apparent that God displayed His power in the churches in Rome and Corinth as people submitted to Him and served one another for the common good through the spiritual gifts imparted to them. These fellowships were “spiritually powerful.” put, our hope for your Bible S imply Fellowship is twofold: 1. We dream that your fellowship will be an authentic biblical expression of Christian community where the assembled believers experience knowing and being known, as well as loving and being loved, while journeying with one another toward spiritual parenthood. 2. We dream that your fellowship will be spiritually powerfully because the power of God is released in miraculous ways as the members function in the spiritual gifts imparted to them by the Holy Spirit for the building up of each believer.
SERVING IN THE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP
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grew up in a family whose members had a high value for serving one another. I could write volumes about the
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ways that my mother and father have served me, Lana, our children, and our grandchildren. My brother could write a similar number of volumes. Mom and Dad learned that value from their parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins. My brother often has been present to serve me and my family in very lovingly practical ways. I have tried to be equally present to serve him and his family. My close “brothers and sisters in Christ” have served me in equally numerous and life-changing ways that have led to some of my most significant spiritual experiences. The members of my faith community— my “church family”—have served me by comforting me, encouraging me, helping to bear my burdens, and praying for me. I have experienced so much of God’s grace and love through them. What a difference they have made and continue to make in my life! Agapé love always leads to giving. Our most significant gifts to one another undoubtedly are represented by our service directed to meeting the needs of those most dear to us.
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hrist taught His followers to love and serve one another. As the church began to take shape in the years following His crucifixion, the Spirit of Christ placed people into particular roles through which they did whatever was necessary to equip members of the faith community to serve one another. Let’s look at Ephesians 4:11-13: [11] It was he [Christ] who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, [12] to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up [13] until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13)
Helping People Close the Gap Through the Sunday Morning Experience
Growing Wise Verse 11 tells us that Christ established roles in believing fellowships: apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers. Those fulfilling these roles had a specific, well-focused responsibility. They were to prepare the members of the fellowship to serve one another (v. 12). Once prepared, the members were expected to participate fully in their faith community, whether it was a small house church or a larger assembly. The members’ service to one another had a defined outcome: the faith community was to be “built up,” resulting in a unified faith in and knowledge of the Son of God. Such unity in faith and knowledge resulted in spiritually mature members who collectively were a full reflection of Christ to the unbelieving culture around them (12b-13).
Biblical Beliefs that Drive Our Service in Our Bible Fellowships
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here are two biblical beliefs that give each member impetus to practice the principle of agapé love and service in the faith community. They are: 1. We believe members of a Bible Fellowship are to love and serve one another (Gal 5:13-14). 2. We believe that spiritual power is evident in the Bible Fellowship where members serve the fellowship in areas where the Holy Spirit seems to consistently anoint them for ministry—e.g. leading, teaching, organizing, helping, encouraging (Rom 12:6-8).
Members Spontaneously Serve One Another in Love
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any in our Bible Fellowships tell us that their department is like a big extended family. Members in these groups enter each other’s lives as “brothers and sisters in Christ.” Twentieth century German martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer said:
Lesson 13 Serving Your Bible Fellowship
The physical presence of other Christians is a source of incomparable joy and strength to the believer…how inexhaustible are the riches that open up for those who by God’s will are privileged to live in the daily fellowship of life with other Christians!3
Notes
Part of what makes a Bible Fellowship “a source of incomparable joy and strength” is spontaneous giving by one “family member” to meet another’s needs. A brother observes a need in his brother and quickly gives from his resources to meet that need. This group gives often to meet a biblical relational need and/or a practical need arising from an emergency or stressful burden. As individuals of a Bible Fellowship serve one another in love (Gal 5:13), agapé love is lived out in its fullest definition: it always serves the needs of the beloved without regard to self-satisfaction; it is volitionally and benevolently giving; it values the beloved and may have great affection for him or her. The love-givesfirst principle and the Zacchaeus principle are graciously lived out.4
God’s Grace and Power Is Revealed in a Bible Fellowship When Members Serve the Whole Fellowship through Spiritual Gifts
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hen we see the Bible Fellowship as a living organism—as a Body o f C h r i s t — w e r e c o gn i ze t h a t t h e fellowship needs the service of its individual members in the same way that a physical human body needs the service of its individual parts. Paul put it this way: The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body
3
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together: A Discussion of Christian Fellowship, copyright © 1954 by Harper & Row Publishers, Inc. New York, pp. 19-20. 4 See Growing Wise Lesson 12: “Serving Your Family and Friends,” p. 12-8.
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Lesson 13 Serving Your Bible Fellowship
Notes
Growing Wise
—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink…. 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!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 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, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, 21-26) The body has needs that only the mouth can satisfy. The body has needs that only a hand can completely satisfy. The body has needs that only a foot can best satisfy. So it is with a Bible Fellowship. The fellowship has needs that only a leader can satisfy. The fellowship has needs that a teacher can best satisfy. The fellowship has needs that only an encourager can satisfy. The fellowship has needs that a hospitable member can best satisfy. And so it goes. Just as God created the human body, designing each part to benefit to the whole, so God created the church with individual members who are given gifts to serve in a way that benefits the whole fellowship. [1]Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant… [4] There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. [5] There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. [6] There are different 5
kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. [7] Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. [8] To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, [9] to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, [10] to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. [11] All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. (1 Corinthians 12:1, 4-11) Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts. (1 Corinthians 14:1) A complete discussion of spiritual gifts exceeds the scope of this particular lesson. Yet several key points need to be made. 1. The Spirit gives different kinds of gifts to different members of the fellowship for the common good of the community (vs. 4, 7). The Bible Fellowship benefits when the Spirit gives a wise message, a knowledge-filled admonition, a supernatural expression of faith, a healing, etc., through various members (vs. 8-10). 2. The exercise of spiritual gifts is a service given to meet the needs of the fellowship and is to be offered in agapé love (vs. 12:7; 14:1). 3. The Holy Spirit manifests or makes clear His power through spiritual gifts (v. 7). The word manifests means a revelation imparted by the Holy Spirit.5 Thus the power
In 1 Co 12:7 it is the revelation imparted by the Spirit and consisting of the charisms [grace gifts] listed in v. 8 ff. It entails acts in which the Spirit manifests himself. In the only other NT instance in 2 Co 4:2 Paul describes true proclamation as a manifestation of the truth in contrast to the falsification of God's word by his opponents. (From Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, abridged edition, copyright © 1985 by William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. All rights reserved.)
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Helping People Close the Gap Through the Sunday Morning Experience
Growing Wise of God is revealed in a fellowship in which the Spirit has freedom to operate in this way. To experience the power of God manifested through spiritual gifts we must: (a) release people to serve the fellowship in the areas where they seem to be consistently anointed by God for ministry (Rom 12:6-8); (b) as a Body, gratefully submit to the Spirit’s ministry to the fellowship through the operation of varied spiritual gifts (Eph 5:21). 4. The Holy Spirit determines who gets what gift (v. 12:11). Yet we are to eagerly desire spiritual gifts (14:1). Indivi duals who are motivated to lovingly serve the fellowship should desire that God would reveal Himself through spiritual gifts imparted to them for the advantage and benefit of the fellowship. The fellowship should desire that God would reveal His grace and power to them through spiritual gifts imparted to members so that all can grow to maturity in Christ (Eph 4:11-13). 5. The Apostle Paul’s teaching seems clear that spiritual gifts are called forth, affirmed, and confirmed in the community (1 Tim 4:14). It is unlikely that every spiritual gift described in Scripture will be evident in any given Bible Fellowship. However, some gifts will be present. The fellowship should look for the fruit of spiritual giftedness among its members, affirm that giftedness, give members an opportunity to function in that giftedness, and then confirm that giftedness. Then, in the absence of those who might meet the needs of the fellowship through the use of ministry gifts, members must serve in areas where they have abilities or competencies, so that the fellowship can be blessed by their service. In other words, agapé love tells us that we give from our resources to
Lesson 13 Serving Your Bible Fellowship
meet the needs of others. A spiritual gift of service is not required to properly arrange chairs, make coffee, or clean a room for its next occupants. We each must serve where needed in order to meet the needs of the whole.
Notes
Application Ideas and Questions
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aul makes a remark about membership in the Body of Christ that is startling to many in our culture. Look at what he says: Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Romans 12:4-5, italics mine) Members of a Bible Fellowship “belong” to one another. Their relationship to one another might be summarized by the statement “I need you and it is okay for you to need me.” This kind of membership requires active participation rather than passive association on everyone’s behalf. It requires commitment that goes far beyond that of a service club membership familiar to many. Active participation means that members serve one another in love by giving first from their resources to meet the needs of other members. How do the members of your Bible Fellowship sense that they belong to one another? Could their commitment and active participation be characterized by the statement “I need you and it is okay for you to need me”? Do you see your Bible Fellowship as being spiritually powerful? If so, through what spiritual gifts does God reveal His grace and power in your department? What spiritual gifts have you identified by their fruit? Do your fellowship members know their spiritual gifts? Do they feel free to exercise their spiritual gifts for the benefit of the whole?
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Lesson 13 Serving Your Bible Fellowship
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Growing Wise
Remember: 1. We dream that your fellowship will be an authentic biblical expression of Christian community where the assembled believers experience knowing and being known, as well as loving and being loved, while journeying with one another toward spiritual parenthood. 2. We dream that your fellowship will be spiritually powerful because the power
Word Study
of God is released in miraculous ways as the members function in the spiritual gifts imparted to them by the Holy Spirit for the building up of each believer.
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o you and the leaders of your department embrace this twofold dream for your Bible Fellowship? How can you work together to help your fellowship members believe in such a vision and move toward its fulfillment?
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Growing Wise
Lesson 13 Serving Your Bible Fellowship
Notes
COMMENTARY
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or many years, Casas has encouraged her members to discover and utilize their spiritual gifts in serving and ministering in the church. Many have attended our core class called “S.H.A.P.E.: Discovering Purpose” to learn about their spiritual gifts, heart motivations, abilities, personal style, and life experiences. By better understanding their unique makeup, they have become more effective servants or ministers within Casas. Since this lesson gives real attention to the manifestation of the Spirit in our Bible Fellowships through the impartation of spiritual gifts, we have included a definition of spiritual gifts from Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary and an excerpt from Willmington’s Bible Handbook, as well as commentary by Dr. Warren Wiersbe.
Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary1 Special gifts bestowed by the Holy Spirit upon Christians for the purpose of building up the church. The list of spiritual gifts in 1 Co 12:8-10 includes wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, speaking in tongues, and interpretation of tongues. Similar lists appear in Eph 4:7-13 and Ro 12:3-8. The apostle Paul indicated that these gifts are equally valid but not equally valuable. Their value is determined by their worth to the church. In dealing with this matter, he used the analogy of the human body. All members of the body have functions, Paul declared, but some are more important than others. The service of each Christian should be in proportion to the gifts which he possesses (1 Co 12-14). 1 2
Since these gifts are gifts of grace, according to Paul, their use must be controlled by the principle of love—the greatest of all spiritual gifts (1 Co 13).
Willmington’s Bible Handbook2 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Many gifts from one Spirit. Mindful of the Corinthians’ pagan background, Paul discussed the purpose and nature of spiritual gifts (12-14), so that they would not be deceived by false prophets claiming to speak for God (12:13). He began by explaining just what spiritual gifts are (12:4-11). A spiritual gift is a supernatural ability given to the believer at the time of salvation (12:7; see Eph 4:7-13). Paul listed 13 such gifts in this chapter (12:8-10, 28), indicating that: ♦ Each believer has at least one spiritual gift (12:7,11) ♦ No believer possesses all the gifts (12:2930) Spiritual gifts have two main purposes: ♦ To edify the saints (14:4) ♦ To glorify the Savior (14:2) 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 Designed to be a body. Spiritual gifts are to be used within the context of the church, enabling it to function efficiently, like a human body (see exposition on Eph 1:15-23). As in a human body, each church member has a different but important function. Neither a human body nor a church body can be effective unless all its members work in harmony. The Holy Spirit baptizes the
Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers. Willmington’s Bible Handbook, copyright © 1997 by Harold L. Willmington. Produced with permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Wheaton, Ill.
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Lesson 13 Serving Your Bible Fellowship
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Growing Wise
new believer, making him or her a member of the church, the body of Christ (12:13), and empowering him or her for righteous living and witness (12:13; see Mt 3:11; Jn 14:16-17; Ac 1:8; 2:4; Ro 8:1; Gal 5:22-25; Eph 4:4-16; 5:18; see also God the Holy Spirit, p. 812).
The Bible Exposition Commentary3 Romans. 12:3-16 Paul was writing to Christians who were members of local churches in Rome. He described their relationship to each other in terms of the members of a body. (He used this same picture in 1 Co 12; Eph 4:7-16.) The basic idea is that each believer is a living part of Christ’s body, and each one has a spiritual function to perform. Each believer has a gift (or gifts), to be used for the building up of the body and the perfecting of the other members of the body. In short, we belong to each other, we minister to each other, and we need each other. Honest evaluation (v. 3). Each Christian must know what his spiritual gifts are and what ministry (or ministries) he is to have in the local church. It is not wrong for a Christian to recognize gifts in his own life and in the lives of others. What is wrong is the tendency to have a false evaluation of
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ourselves. Nothing causes more damage in a local church than a believer who overrates himself and tries to perform a ministry that he cannot do. (Sometimes the opposite is true, and people undervalue themselves. Both attitudes are wrong.) The gifts that we have came because of God’s grace. They must be accepted and exercised by faith. We were saved “by grace, through faith” (Eph 2:8-9), and we must live and serve “by grace through faith.” Since our gifts are from God, we cannot take the credit for them. All we can do is accept them and use them to honor His name....When the individual believers in a church know their gifts, accept them by faith, and use them for God’s glory, then God can bless in a wonderful way. Faithful cooperation (vv. 4-8). Each believer has a different gift, and God has bestowed these gifts so the local body can grow in a balanced way. But each Christian must exercise his or her gift by faith. We may not see the result of our ministry, but the Lord sees it and He blesses. Note that “exhortation” (encouragement) is just as much a spiritual ministry as preaching or teaching. Giving and showing mercy are also important gifts. To some people, God has given the ability to rule, or to administer the various functions of the church. Whatever gift we have must be dedicated to God and used for the good of the whole church.
Warren Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, copyright © 1989 by Chariot Victor Publishing, an imprint of Cook Communication Ministries. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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Growing Wise
Lesson 13 Serving Your Bible Fellowship
Notes
SUGGESTED LESSON PLAN NOTE TO TEACHER: This suggested lesson plan is designed to help maximize learning for life-change in your Bible Fellowship. Experienced teachers may create your own plan based upon the “Studying the Word Together” section. We suggest that less-experienced teachers “stick to the plan,” modifying as necessary to meet needs of your Bible Fellowship. This plan is designed to be presented in 45 minutes. Be sure to carefully plan your presentation so that you communicate the main points with brevity and clarity.
Important Scripture References: ♦ Acts 2:42-47 ♦ Ephesians 4:11-13 ♦ 1 Corinthians 12:1-26, 14:1
Teaching Goals: ♦ Learn: Following Christ’s example,
members learn to apply the teachings of agapé love as well as the “love-givesfirst” principle and Zacchaeus principle in their Bible Fellowship ♦ Experience: Everyone reflects upon his/ her own spiritual gifts and rejoices about serving together in agapé love.
Before Class Begins: ♦ Distribute handouts.
STEP ONE: GETTING READY TO LEARN (15 MINUTES)
♦ Form buzz groups of 2-3 people. Ask them to read Acts 2:42-47 from their Bible or their handout and list “action phrases” to describe how members of the Jerusalem church participated in the congregation and interacted with each other. After 5-6 minutes, ask groups to quickly compare their impressions of your Bible Fellowship with the Jerusalem fellowship. ♦ With about 7 minutes left in this step, regain your group’s attention and point out to them that the Jerusalem fellowship: Gathered weekly to study, pray, and maintain family-like relationships (koinonia) with one another (vs. 42, 46)
Was spiritually powerful (v. 43) Ministered to one another’s needs (vs. 44-45) Happily met midweek in “home groups” (v. 46) Had a good reputation (v. 47) Constantly received new believers into their assembly (v. 47) ♦ Conclude this section by sharing “Our Dream for Your Bible Fellowship” (pp. 13-2—13-4). Make these points: 1. We dream that your fellowship will be an authentic biblical expression of Christian community where the assembled believers experience knowing and being known, as well as loving and being loved, while journeying with one another toward spiritual parenthood. 2. We dream that your fellowship will be spiritually powerful because the power of God i s rel eased in miraculous ways as the members function in the spiritual gifts imparted to them by the Holy Spirit for the building up of each believer.
RESOURCES NEEDED: ♦ 2-sided copies of Lesson Notes / TakeHome pages ♦ Pencils or pens for each person ♦ Dry erase markers and marker board or felt tip markers and a flip chart
TIME FRAME: ♦ 45 minutes
LESSON NOTES: Our Dream ... ♦ That ... you experience knowing and being known, as well as loving ….
♦ That it will be spiritually powerful ..., by the Holy Spirit for the building up of each believer.
STEP TWO: SERVING IN THE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP (15 MINUTES)
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his step represents your primary presentation time. Devote the least amount of time to number 1 below and the most time to the number 3. 1. Use Ephesians 4:11-13 and the related material on pages 13-4—13-5 to help your Bible Fellowship understand that
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Lesson Plan 13-11
Lesson 13 Serving Your Bible Fellowship
Notes LESSON NOTES, CONTINUED: Serving in the Bible Fellowship ♦ Each member is to be equipped to serve ... can grow to maturity
♦ Members serve one another in love.
♦ ... when members serve the whole felowship through spiritual gifts.
♦ Spiritual gifts are 1. Given for the common good of the community 2. To be offered in agapé love 3. To manifest the Holy Spirit’s power 4. Given by the Holy Spirit and to be eagerly desired 5. Called forth, affirmed, and confirmed in the community
Growing Wise
Christ’s design for a believing fellowship is based upon the biblical principle that each member is to be equipped to serve so that the entire fellowship can grow to maturity. 2. Members Spontaneously Serve One Another in Love ♦ This should not be a new concept for your group, particularly if your fellowship participated in The 11th Commandment study series. Members of course can serve one another by applying the instructions contained in the “one another” Bible passages. ♦ The ideas that are new include: The Bible Fellowship is a smaller biblical faith community within a larger faith community and is characterized by “extendedfamily-like” relationships. Members love and serve one another in their “church family” through the application of agapé love, the love-gives-first principle, and the Zacchaeus principle. 3. God’s Grace and Power Is Revealed in a Bible Fellowship When Members Serve the Whole Fellowship through Spiritual Gifts ♦ Have someone read aloud 1 Cor 12:1213, 21-26. Point out that just as our physical body has needs, the Bible Fellowship as a Body of Christ has needs. Then remind your group that just as individual members love and serve one another, individual members are needed to serve the Bible Fellowship for the common good of the whole group. ♦ Ask someone to read 1 Cor 12:1, 4-11 and 1 Cor 14:1. Then present the five key points about spiritual gifts found on pages 13-6—13-7. ♦ Describe the gifts that you believe group could most benefit from: leading, teaching, serving, showing mercy, encouraging, etc.
13-12 Lesson Plan
STEP THREE: APPLICATION (10 MINUTES)
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his step is designed to help your Bible Fellowship discover for itself through brainstorming sessions, ways this lesson might be applied within your department. ♦ Ask the buzz groups that were formed in Step 1 to quickly combine with one or two other buzz groups. Appoint a brainstorming facilitator for each group. Instruct each group to brainstorm what actions could be taken to help individual members become more effective in their love and service to one another. Allow about 4 minutes for this. ♦ Next instruct your buzz groups to brainstorm how the group might go about becoming a community that is more comfortable having members serve your Bible Fellowship through spiritual gifts that God has chosen to give so that each member of the group can grow to full maturity. Allow about 6 minutes for this.
STEP FOUR: CLOSING (5 MINUTES)
♦ Read 1 Corinthians 14:1 aloud to your Bible Fellowship. Read it 3 times, giving emphasis to different words each time so that members have an opportunity to hear the full significance of the passage. ♦ Ask them to close their eyes and think about what they have just heard for a moment. Ask them to mentally identify what message they think they are hearing from the Holy Spirit through this verse. Invite them to silently and prayerfully respond to God by expressing their gratitude for the spiritual gifts they know He has imparted to them or to express their desire for specific gifts they believe are needed in your fellowship.
Helping People Close the Gap Through the Sunday Morning Experience
Lesson 13
Growing Wise
Serving Your Bible Fellowship
Notes Buzz Groups: Read Acts 2:42-47; list “action phrases” describing how members of the church participated in the congregation and interacted with each other.
Our Dream for Your Bible Fellowship ♦ That it will be an authentic, biblical expression of Christian community where you experience _________________ and being known, as well as ____________________ and being loved, as you journey together toward spiritual parenthood
♦ That it will be spiritually ______________________ as God’s power is released in miraculous ways, as you each function in the spiritual gifts imparted to you by the Holy Spirit for the ________________ _______ of each believer.
Serving in the Bible Fellowship ♦ Each member is to be __________________ to serve so that the entire fellowship can grow to _____________________.
♦ Members serve __________ _________________ in love. ♦ God’s grace and power is revealed in a Bible Fellowship when members serve the whole ______________________ through spiritual gifts.
♦ Spiritual gifts are 1. Given for the ____________ _________ of the community 2. To be offered in _________________ love 3. To ________________________ the Holy Spirit’s power 4. Given by the Holy Spirit and to be eagerly _____________ 5. Called forth, affirmed, and confirmed in the _________________________
Today’s Scriptures Acts 2:42-47 (TEV): They spent their time in learning from the apostles, taking part in the fellowship, and sharing in the fellowship meals and the prayers. [43] Many miracles and wonders were being done through the apostles, and everyone was filled with awe. [44] All the believers continued together in close fellowship and shared their belongings with one another. [45] They would sell their property and possessions, and distribute the money among all, according to what each one needed. [46] Day after day they met as a group in the Temple, and they had their meals together in their homes, eating with glad and humble hearts, [47] praising God, and enjoying the good will of all the people. And every day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved. Ephesians 4:11-13: It was he [Christ] who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, [12] to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up [13] until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, 21-26: The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body —whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink…. 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!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 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, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 1 Corinthians 12:1, 4-11: [1] Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant…. [4] There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. [5] There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. [6] There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. [7] Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. [8] To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, [9] to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, [10] to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. [11] All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. 1 Corinthians 14:1: Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts.
Helping People Close the Gap Through the Sunday Morning Experience
Lesson Notes
Lesson 13 Serving Your Bible Fellowship
Notes
Growing Wise Daily Reflections
B
egin each daily reflection by meditating a few minutes on the suggested Scripture passage. Seek to listen to the Holy Spirit as He speaks to you. Then, consider the comments and questions about the passage. Be aware of both your thoughts and your feelings. Respond to God through both. Monday: They [the believers in Jerusalem] spent their time in learning from the apostles, taking part in the fellowship, and sharing in the fellowship meals and the prayers. Many miracles and wonders were being done…and everyone was filled with awe. (Acts 2:42-43, TEV) There are two things to reflect upon in this passage: the believers were active participants in the life of their faith community and there were regular manifestations of God’s power in the community by which the believers were awed. Could this verse describe your own experiences in your Bible Fellowship and at Casas? Would you like for it to? Share your heart with God and seek His.
Tuesday: All the believers continued together in close fellowship and shared their belongings with one another…they met as a group in the Temple, and they had their meals together in their homes, eating with glad and humble hearts…. (Acts 2:44-46, TEV) Does this passage describe your Bible Fellowship? Would you like for it to? Ask the Lord to speak to you about your level of commitment to the believers in your church “family.”
Wednesday: It was he [Christ] who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity…and become mature…. (Ephesians 4:11-13) Does it surprise you that ministry is not just the responsibility of paid church staff but is, by God’s design, the purview of each believer? Do you see yourself as a servant or minister in the church? Listen to God speak to you, Holy Spirit to human spirit, about His desire for you to serve and minister in your Bible Fellowship.
Thursday: Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good…. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines…. (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11) In what ways do you see the Holy Spirit revealing God’s grace and power through the service or ministry of individuals for the common benefit of the members of your Bible Fellowship? Thank God for the spiritual gifts that He has imparted to others and to you.
Friday: Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts. (1 Corinthians 14:1) Service and ministry should flow from the agapé love you have for the members of your Bible Fellowship. Ask God to give you spiritual or grace gifts so that He might minister in His power through you to those you love.
Take-Home
Helping People Close the Gap Through the Sunday Morning Experience
Serving Your Bible Fellowship
Lesson Notes
13
TEACHER TO TEACHER
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his is the last lesson in our unit on service and it is also the concluding lesson in the thirteen-week Growing Wise study. You will recall that Growing Wise was written as a follow-up to our study on the principles of spiritual growth titled The Prayer God Always Answers: Lord, Make Me a Spiritual Parent at Any Cost. In Growing Wise we turned to Scripture for wisdom related to three additional areas of spiritual growth: prayer, disciple-making, and servanthood. We bring the series and the unit to a close with a final lesson about love and service in your Bible Fellowship. In this study I will share with you our dream for your department or “faith community.” My prayer is that our dream will become your dream, your director’s dream, and a dream shared by everyone in your Bible Fellowship. The fulfillment of the dream is dependent upon two things: 1. The members of your department must put into practice the principles of loving and serving that we have learned in previous lessons by seeing one another’s needs and responding to meet those needs. This is about one member ministering to another. 2. The members of your department identify and minister to your Bible Fellowship as a whole through their spiritual gifts. This will serve to make your department spiritually powerful. Authentic community is fostered when we love and serve one another. It is through healthy, caring relationships that we become unified; it is through loving and serving that a group of individuals become one. It is also through each member ministering to the Bible Fellowship for the common good of everyone that the manifestation of the Spirit or the revelation of God’s grace and power is brought about. When we release or bless people to serve the faith community by functioning in roles in which they seem anointed to serve, we see not the individual’s power, but the power of God displayed in our midst.
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o you long for people to thrive in Christian community? Do you long for them to become spiritual mothers and fathers? Do you long for the gap to be closed in the lives of those whom you teach? Are you hungry to see God’s power revealed in your midst as you gather each Sunday? Then teach them from the Word and by your example to serve and love one another at every opportunity. And teach them from Word and by your example to discover their gifts and employ them for the benefit of the fellowship, so that everyone grows to maturity. May God’s grace be upon you in Spirit and power and you teach.
Helping People Close the Gap Through the Sunday Morning Experience
To Teacher 13-1
Lesson 13 Serving Your Bible Fellowship
Notes
Growing Wise
STUDYING THE WORD TOGETHER
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ow would you respond to someone asking you to describe your Bible Fellowship? Would you say that you are a group of people who share faith in Christ and gather every Sunday to learn more about Him? Would you describe your department as a group of people who are committed to Christ, to becoming spiritual mothers and fathers, and to caring for one another? How would you respond? What would you say? I want to challenge you to take a few moments before going any further to write your answers to the two questions below. Please don’t opt out or skip over this part of the study.
What makes your Bible Fellowship a caring biblical faith community full of people who are growing toward spiritual maturity?
Would you describe your Bible Fellowship as “spiritually powerful?” If so, describe the evidence you see of God’s power in your group.
How are you feeling about your responses to the two questions posed in the above exercise? Do you think the questions are sufficiently relevant to even ask? Are you pleased with your Bible Fellowship in light of the questions asked? Are you discouraged? Again, how are you feeling about your responses? (I encourage you to review the questions as well as your answers with your Director[s] before you prepare your lesson. Get their feedback.) As we continue to think about the application of the principles of loving and serving, we must talk about how Bible Fellowship members can serve one another in their departments. May I begin our discussion by sharing with you your staff’s dream for your Bible Fellowship? We want you to understand that we desire something for your Bible
OUR DREAM FOR YOUR BIBLE FELLOWSHIP
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hat we dream for your Bible Fellowship has its roots in some of Paul’s teachings about the e)kklhsi/a, ekklesia [(ek-klay-see’-ah) ( NT1577)] and koinwni/a, koinonia [(koy-nohn-ee’ah) (NT:2842)]. 1
Ekklesia is most often translated into English as assembly or congregation. Paul uses the word 62 times in his New Testament writings. And his uses all predate the other instances of its occurrences in the New Testament.1 Paul first uses the words to describe the assembly or congregation of believers in Thessalonica. In addition to using the word to refer to a larger
Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, copyright © 1993 by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA. All rights reserved.
13-2 Word Study
Helping People Close the Gap Through the Sunday Morning Experience
Growing Wise assembly, Paul used it to indicate a “house church.” In some instances, the small group of “house church” members were the only believers in an entire city. In other places, the “house church” seemed to be a smaller circle of fellowship within a larger congregation. It is in the spirit of the latter that our dream for your Bible Fellowship has its roots. Our Bible Fellowships are the primary places for adults to experience authentic Christian community. They certainly are smaller circles of fellowship within our larger congregation.
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he most common word in the New Testament for community or fellowship is koinonia. It literally means participation. Besides community and fellowship, koinonia can mean “sharing in common.” But there seems to be much more to koinonia than what we can conclude from the literal meaning of the word. First, we recognize that there is a kinship between Christ-followers. Follow the logic of the following verses. Each forms a premise that leads to a logical conclusion. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:29) The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ... . (Romans 8:16-17) Here is a syllogism constructed from these two doctrinal truths: ♦ Premise 1: Jesus is God’s “firstborn” of many children. ♦ Premise 2: As believers in Christ, we, too, are God’s children. ♦ Conclusion: We, therefore, are brothers and sisters in God’s family. Relational truth also appears in the verses above. Do you see it? God’s intent 2
Lesson 13 Serving Your Bible Fellowship
from the very beginning was to have lots of children. What does that suggest to you about His heart? But there’s more! You and I are His children, too—and that makes us family! There is strong evidence that the local New Testament church also functioned as a healthy extended family. Look at the picture of Christian community that Luke paints for us in the second chapter of Acts.
Notes
[42] They spent their time in learning from the apostles, taking part in the fellowship, and sharing in the fellowship meals and the prayers. [43] Many miracles and wonders were being done through the apostles, and everyone was filled with awe. [44] All the believers continued together in close fellowship and shared their belongings with one another. [45] They would sell their property and possessions, and distribute the money among all, according to what each one needed. [46] Day after day they met as a group in the Temple, and they had their meals together in their homes, eating with glad and humble hearts, [47] praising God, and enjoying the good will of all the people. And every day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47, TEV2) The believers who assembled or gathered together as churches held many things in common. Of course they shared a belief in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Their loving response to Christ’s love for them was expressed in devotion to the Apostles’ teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread (love feast followed by the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer (v. 42). Those with an abundance shared from their wealth with those who had need (v. 45). It also is clear that as they lived life together, church members practiced a loving, mutual giving and receiving to meet one another’s needs. Paul encouraged
The Holy Bible, Today's English Version, First Edition, copyright © 1976 by the American Bible Society. Used by permission.
Helping People Close the Gap Through the Sunday Morning Experience
Word Study
13-3
Lesson 13 Serving Your Bible Fellowship
Notes
Growing Wise
such behavior in congregations through the admonitions we have come to know as the “one another” verses: prefer one another, accept one another, bear each other’s burdens, encourage one another, comfort one another, forgive one another, etc. The Jerusalem church described in Acts 2 also was a “spiritually powerful” church: “Many miracles and wonders were being done through the apostles, and everyone was filled with awe” (v. 43). Clearly, the power of God was manifested, magnified, or made very clear as the Apostles submitted themselves to the Holy Spirit so that He could work through the spiritual gifts He gave them. It is evident in Romans 12:1-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 that believers other than the Apostles were given spiritual gifts. It also is apparent that God displayed His power in the churches in Rome and Corinth as people submitted to Him and served one another for the common good through the spiritual gifts imparted to them. These fellowships were “spiritually powerful.” put, our hope for your Bible S imply Fellowship is twofold: 1. We dream that your fellowship will be an authentic biblical expression of Christian community where the assembled believers experience knowing and being known, as well as loving and being loved, while journeying with one another toward spiritual parenthood. 2. We dream that your fellowship will be spiritually powerfully because the power of God is released in miraculous ways as the members function in the spiritual gifts imparted to them by the Holy Spirit for the building up of each believer.
SERVING IN THE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP
I
grew up in a family whose members had a high value for serving one another. I could write volumes about the
13-4 Word Study
ways that my mother and father have served me, Lana, our children, and our grandchildren. My brother could write a similar number of volumes. Mom and Dad learned that value from their parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins. My brother often has been present to serve me and my family in very lovingly practical ways. I have tried to be equally present to serve him and his family. My close “brothers and sisters in Christ” have served me in equally numerous and life-changing ways that have led to some of my most significant spiritual experiences. The members of my faith community— my “church family”—have served me by comforting me, encouraging me, helping to bear my burdens, and praying for me. I have experienced so much of God’s grace and love through them. What a difference they have made and continue to make in my life! Agapé love always leads to giving. Our most significant gifts to one another undoubtedly are represented by our service directed to meeting the needs of those most dear to us.
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hrist taught His followers to love and serve one another. As the church began to take shape in the years following His crucifixion, the Spirit of Christ placed people into particular roles through which they did whatever was necessary to equip members of the faith community to serve one another. Let’s look at Ephesians 4:11-13: [11] It was he [Christ] who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, [12] to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up [13] until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13)
Helping People Close the Gap Through the Sunday Morning Experience
Growing Wise Verse 11 tells us that Christ established roles in believing fellowships: apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers. Those fulfilling these roles had a specific, well-focused responsibility. They were to prepare the members of the fellowship to serve one another (v. 12). Once prepared, the members were expected to participate fully in their faith community, whether it was a small house church or a larger assembly. The members’ service to one another had a defined outcome: the faith community was to be “built up,” resulting in a unified faith in and knowledge of the Son of God. Such unity in faith and knowledge resulted in spiritually mature members who collectively were a full reflection of Christ to the unbelieving culture around them (12b-13).
Biblical Beliefs that Drive Our Service in Our Bible Fellowships
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here are two biblical beliefs that give each member impetus to practice the principle of agapé love and service in the faith community. They are: 1. We believe members of a Bible Fellowship are to love and serve one another (Gal 5:13-14). 2. We believe that spiritual power is evident in the Bible Fellowship where members serve the fellowship in areas where the Holy Spirit seems to consistently anoint them for ministry—e.g. leading, teaching, organizing, helping, encouraging (Rom 12:6-8).
Members Spontaneously Serve One Another in Love
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any in our Bible Fellowships tell us that their department is like a big extended family. Members in these groups enter each other’s lives as “brothers and sisters in Christ.” Twentieth century German martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer said:
Lesson 13 Serving Your Bible Fellowship
The physical presence of other Christians is a source of incomparable joy and strength to the believer…how inexhaustible are the riches that open up for those who by God’s will are privileged to live in the daily fellowship of life with other Christians!3
Notes
Part of what makes a Bible Fellowship “a source of incomparable joy and strength” is spontaneous giving by one “family member” to meet another’s needs. A brother observes a need in his brother and quickly gives from his resources to meet that need. This group gives often to meet a biblical relational need and/or a practical need arising from an emergency or stressful burden. As individuals of a Bible Fellowship serve one another in love (Gal 5:13), agapé love is lived out in its fullest definition: it always serves the needs of the beloved without regard to self-satisfaction; it is volitionally and benevolently giving; it values the beloved and may have great affection for him or her. The love-givesfirst principle and the Zacchaeus principle are graciously lived out.4
God’s Grace and Power Is Revealed in a Bible Fellowship When Members Serve the Whole Fellowship through Spiritual Gifts
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hen we see the Bible Fellowship as a living organism—as a Body o f C h r i s t — w e r e c o gn i ze t h a t t h e fellowship needs the service of its individual members in the same way that a physical human body needs the service of its individual parts. Paul put it this way: The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body
3
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together: A Discussion of Christian Fellowship, copyright © 1954 by Harper & Row Publishers, Inc. New York, pp. 19-20. 4 See Growing Wise Lesson 12: “Serving Your Family and Friends,” p. 12-8.
Helping People Close the Gap Through the Sunday Morning Experience
Word Study
13-5
Lesson 13 Serving Your Bible Fellowship
Notes
Growing Wise
—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink…. 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!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 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, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, 21-26) The body has needs that only the mouth can satisfy. The body has needs that only a hand can completely satisfy. The body has needs that only a foot can best satisfy. So it is with a Bible Fellowship. The fellowship has needs that only a leader can satisfy. The fellowship has needs that a teacher can best satisfy. The fellowship has needs that only an encourager can satisfy. The fellowship has needs that a hospitable member can best satisfy. And so it goes. Just as God created the human body, designing each part to benefit to the whole, so God created the church with individual members who are given gifts to serve in a way that benefits the whole fellowship. [1]Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant… [4] There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. [5] There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. [6] There are different 5
kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. [7] Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. [8] To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, [9] to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, [10] to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. [11] All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. (1 Corinthians 12:1, 4-11) Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts. (1 Corinthians 14:1) A complete discussion of spiritual gifts exceeds the scope of this particular lesson. Yet several key points need to be made. 1. The Spirit gives different kinds of gifts to different members of the fellowship for the common good of the community (vs. 4, 7). The Bible Fellowship benefits when the Spirit gives a wise message, a knowledge-filled admonition, a supernatural expression of faith, a healing, etc., through various members (vs. 8-10). 2. The exercise of spiritual gifts is a service given to meet the needs of the fellowship and is to be offered in agapé love (vs. 12:7; 14:1). 3. The Holy Spirit manifests or makes clear His power through spiritual gifts (v. 7). The word manifests means a revelation imparted by the Holy Spirit.5 Thus the power
In 1 Co 12:7 it is the revelation imparted by the Spirit and consisting of the charisms [grace gifts] listed in v. 8 ff. It entails acts in which the Spirit manifests himself. In the only other NT instance in 2 Co 4:2 Paul describes true proclamation as a manifestation of the truth in contrast to the falsification of God's word by his opponents. (From Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, abridged edition, copyright © 1985 by William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. All rights reserved.)
13-6 Word Study
Helping People Close the Gap Through the Sunday Morning Experience
Growing Wise of God is revealed in a fellowship in which the Spirit has freedom to operate in this way. To experience the power of God manifested through spiritual gifts we must: (a) release people to serve the fellowship in the areas where they seem to be consistently anointed by God for ministry (Rom 12:6-8); (b) as a Body, gratefully submit to the Spirit’s ministry to the fellowship through the operation of varied spiritual gifts (Eph 5:21). 4. The Holy Spirit determines who gets what gift (v. 12:11). Yet we are to eagerly desire spiritual gifts (14:1). Indivi duals who are motivated to lovingly serve the fellowship should desire that God would reveal Himself through spiritual gifts imparted to them for the advantage and benefit of the fellowship. The fellowship should desire that God would reveal His grace and power to them through spiritual gifts imparted to members so that all can grow to maturity in Christ (Eph 4:11-13). 5. The Apostle Paul’s teaching seems clear that spiritual gifts are called forth, affirmed, and confirmed in the community (1 Tim 4:14). It is unlikely that every spiritual gift described in Scripture will be evident in any given Bible Fellowship. However, some gifts will be present. The fellowship should look for the fruit of spiritual giftedness among its members, affirm that giftedness, give members an opportunity to function in that giftedness, and then confirm that giftedness. Then, in the absence of those who might meet the needs of the fellowship through the use of ministry gifts, members must serve in areas where they have abilities or competencies, so that the fellowship can be blessed by their service. In other words, agapé love tells us that we give from our resources to
Lesson 13 Serving Your Bible Fellowship
meet the needs of others. A spiritual gift of service is not required to properly arrange chairs, make coffee, or clean a room for its next occupants. We each must serve where needed in order to meet the needs of the whole.
Notes
Application Ideas and Questions
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aul makes a remark about membership in the Body of Christ that is startling to many in our culture. Look at what he says: Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Romans 12:4-5, italics mine) Members of a Bible Fellowship “belong” to one another. Their relationship to one another might be summarized by the statement “I need you and it is okay for you to need me.” This kind of membership requires active participation rather than passive association on everyone’s behalf. It requires commitment that goes far beyond that of a service club membership familiar to many. Active participation means that members serve one another in love by giving first from their resources to meet the needs of other members. How do the members of your Bible Fellowship sense that they belong to one another? Could their commitment and active participation be characterized by the statement “I need you and it is okay for you to need me”? Do you see your Bible Fellowship as being spiritually powerful? If so, through what spiritual gifts does God reveal His grace and power in your department? What spiritual gifts have you identified by their fruit? Do your fellowship members know their spiritual gifts? Do they feel free to exercise their spiritual gifts for the benefit of the whole?
Helping People Close the Gap Through the Sunday Morning Experience
Word Study
13-7
Lesson 13 Serving Your Bible Fellowship
Notes
13-8
Growing Wise
Remember: 1. We dream that your fellowship will be an authentic biblical expression of Christian community where the assembled believers experience knowing and being known, as well as loving and being loved, while journeying with one another toward spiritual parenthood. 2. We dream that your fellowship will be spiritually powerful because the power
Word Study
of God is released in miraculous ways as the members function in the spiritual gifts imparted to them by the Holy Spirit for the building up of each believer.
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o you and the leaders of your department embrace this twofold dream for your Bible Fellowship? How can you work together to help your fellowship members believe in such a vision and move toward its fulfillment?
Helping People Close the Gap Through the Sunday Morning Experience
Growing Wise
Lesson 13 Serving Your Bible Fellowship
Notes
COMMENTARY
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or many years, Casas has encouraged her members to discover and utilize their spiritual gifts in serving and ministering in the church. Many have attended our core class called “S.H.A.P.E.: Discovering Purpose” to learn about their spiritual gifts, heart motivations, abilities, personal style, and life experiences. By better understanding their unique makeup, they have become more effective servants or ministers within Casas. Since this lesson gives real attention to the manifestation of the Spirit in our Bible Fellowships through the impartation of spiritual gifts, we have included a definition of spiritual gifts from Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary and an excerpt from Willmington’s Bible Handbook, as well as commentary by Dr. Warren Wiersbe.
Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary1 Special gifts bestowed by the Holy Spirit upon Christians for the purpose of building up the church. The list of spiritual gifts in 1 Co 12:8-10 includes wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, speaking in tongues, and interpretation of tongues. Similar lists appear in Eph 4:7-13 and Ro 12:3-8. The apostle Paul indicated that these gifts are equally valid but not equally valuable. Their value is determined by their worth to the church. In dealing with this matter, he used the analogy of the human body. All members of the body have functions, Paul declared, but some are more important than others. The service of each Christian should be in proportion to the gifts which he possesses (1 Co 12-14). 1 2
Since these gifts are gifts of grace, according to Paul, their use must be controlled by the principle of love—the greatest of all spiritual gifts (1 Co 13).
Willmington’s Bible Handbook2 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Many gifts from one Spirit. Mindful of the Corinthians’ pagan background, Paul discussed the purpose and nature of spiritual gifts (12-14), so that they would not be deceived by false prophets claiming to speak for God (12:13). He began by explaining just what spiritual gifts are (12:4-11). A spiritual gift is a supernatural ability given to the believer at the time of salvation (12:7; see Eph 4:7-13). Paul listed 13 such gifts in this chapter (12:8-10, 28), indicating that: ♦ Each believer has at least one spiritual gift (12:7,11) ♦ No believer possesses all the gifts (12:2930) Spiritual gifts have two main purposes: ♦ To edify the saints (14:4) ♦ To glorify the Savior (14:2) 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 Designed to be a body. Spiritual gifts are to be used within the context of the church, enabling it to function efficiently, like a human body (see exposition on Eph 1:15-23). As in a human body, each church member has a different but important function. Neither a human body nor a church body can be effective unless all its members work in harmony. The Holy Spirit baptizes the
Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers. Willmington’s Bible Handbook, copyright © 1997 by Harold L. Willmington. Produced with permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Wheaton, Ill.
Helping People Close the Gap Through the Sunday Morning Experience
Commentary 13-9
Lesson 13 Serving Your Bible Fellowship
Notes
Growing Wise
new believer, making him or her a member of the church, the body of Christ (12:13), and empowering him or her for righteous living and witness (12:13; see Mt 3:11; Jn 14:16-17; Ac 1:8; 2:4; Ro 8:1; Gal 5:22-25; Eph 4:4-16; 5:18; see also God the Holy Spirit, p. 812).
The Bible Exposition Commentary3 Romans. 12:3-16 Paul was writing to Christians who were members of local churches in Rome. He described their relationship to each other in terms of the members of a body. (He used this same picture in 1 Co 12; Eph 4:7-16.) The basic idea is that each believer is a living part of Christ’s body, and each one has a spiritual function to perform. Each believer has a gift (or gifts), to be used for the building up of the body and the perfecting of the other members of the body. In short, we belong to each other, we minister to each other, and we need each other. Honest evaluation (v. 3). Each Christian must know what his spiritual gifts are and what ministry (or ministries) he is to have in the local church. It is not wrong for a Christian to recognize gifts in his own life and in the lives of others. What is wrong is the tendency to have a false evaluation of
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ourselves. Nothing causes more damage in a local church than a believer who overrates himself and tries to perform a ministry that he cannot do. (Sometimes the opposite is true, and people undervalue themselves. Both attitudes are wrong.) The gifts that we have came because of God’s grace. They must be accepted and exercised by faith. We were saved “by grace, through faith” (Eph 2:8-9), and we must live and serve “by grace through faith.” Since our gifts are from God, we cannot take the credit for them. All we can do is accept them and use them to honor His name....When the individual believers in a church know their gifts, accept them by faith, and use them for God’s glory, then God can bless in a wonderful way. Faithful cooperation (vv. 4-8). Each believer has a different gift, and God has bestowed these gifts so the local body can grow in a balanced way. But each Christian must exercise his or her gift by faith. We may not see the result of our ministry, but the Lord sees it and He blesses. Note that “exhortation” (encouragement) is just as much a spiritual ministry as preaching or teaching. Giving and showing mercy are also important gifts. To some people, God has given the ability to rule, or to administer the various functions of the church. Whatever gift we have must be dedicated to God and used for the good of the whole church.
Warren Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, copyright © 1989 by Chariot Victor Publishing, an imprint of Cook Communication Ministries. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
13-10 Commentary
Helping People Close the Gap Through the Sunday Morning Experience
Growing Wise
Lesson 13 Serving Your Bible Fellowship
Notes
SUGGESTED LESSON PLAN NOTE TO TEACHER: This suggested lesson plan is designed to help maximize learning for life-change in your Bible Fellowship. Experienced teachers may create your own plan based upon the “Studying the Word Together” section. We suggest that less-experienced teachers “stick to the plan,” modifying as necessary to meet needs of your Bible Fellowship. This plan is designed to be presented in 45 minutes. Be sure to carefully plan your presentation so that you communicate the main points with brevity and clarity.
Important Scripture References: ♦ Acts 2:42-47 ♦ Ephesians 4:11-13 ♦ 1 Corinthians 12:1-26, 14:1
Teaching Goals: ♦ Learn: Following Christ’s example,
members learn to apply the teachings of agapé love as well as the “love-givesfirst” principle and Zacchaeus principle in their Bible Fellowship ♦ Experience: Everyone reflects upon his/ her own spiritual gifts and rejoices about serving together in agapé love.
Before Class Begins: ♦ Distribute handouts.
STEP ONE: GETTING READY TO LEARN (15 MINUTES)
♦ Form buzz groups of 2-3 people. Ask them to read Acts 2:42-47 from their Bible or their handout and list “action phrases” to describe how members of the Jerusalem church participated in the congregation and interacted with each other. After 5-6 minutes, ask groups to quickly compare their impressions of your Bible Fellowship with the Jerusalem fellowship. ♦ With about 7 minutes left in this step, regain your group’s attention and point out to them that the Jerusalem fellowship: Gathered weekly to study, pray, and maintain family-like relationships (koinonia) with one another (vs. 42, 46)
Was spiritually powerful (v. 43) Ministered to one another’s needs (vs. 44-45) Happily met midweek in “home groups” (v. 46) Had a good reputation (v. 47) Constantly received new believers into their assembly (v. 47) ♦ Conclude this section by sharing “Our Dream for Your Bible Fellowship” (pp. 13-2—13-4). Make these points: 1. We dream that your fellowship will be an authentic biblical expression of Christian community where the assembled believers experience knowing and being known, as well as loving and being loved, while journeying with one another toward spiritual parenthood. 2. We dream that your fellowship will be spiritually powerful because the power of God i s rel eased in miraculous ways as the members function in the spiritual gifts imparted to them by the Holy Spirit for the building up of each believer.
RESOURCES NEEDED: ♦ 2-sided copies of Lesson Notes / TakeHome pages ♦ Pencils or pens for each person ♦ Dry erase markers and marker board or felt tip markers and a flip chart
TIME FRAME: ♦ 45 minutes
LESSON NOTES: Our Dream ... ♦ That ... you experience knowing and being known, as well as loving ….
♦ That it will be spiritually powerful ..., by the Holy Spirit for the building up of each believer.
STEP TWO: SERVING IN THE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP (15 MINUTES)
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his step represents your primary presentation time. Devote the least amount of time to number 1 below and the most time to the number 3. 1. Use Ephesians 4:11-13 and the related material on pages 13-4—13-5 to help your Bible Fellowship understand that
Helping People Close the Gap Through the Sunday Morning Experience
Lesson Plan 13-11
Lesson 13 Serving Your Bible Fellowship
Notes LESSON NOTES, CONTINUED: Serving in the Bible Fellowship ♦ Each member is to be equipped to serve ... can grow to maturity
♦ Members serve one another in love.
♦ ... when members serve the whole felowship through spiritual gifts.
♦ Spiritual gifts are 1. Given for the common good of the community 2. To be offered in agapé love 3. To manifest the Holy Spirit’s power 4. Given by the Holy Spirit and to be eagerly desired 5. Called forth, affirmed, and confirmed in the community
Growing Wise
Christ’s design for a believing fellowship is based upon the biblical principle that each member is to be equipped to serve so that the entire fellowship can grow to maturity. 2. Members Spontaneously Serve One Another in Love ♦ This should not be a new concept for your group, particularly if your fellowship participated in The 11th Commandment study series. Members of course can serve one another by applying the instructions contained in the “one another” Bible passages. ♦ The ideas that are new include: The Bible Fellowship is a smaller biblical faith community within a larger faith community and is characterized by “extendedfamily-like” relationships. Members love and serve one another in their “church family” through the application of agapé love, the love-gives-first principle, and the Zacchaeus principle. 3. God’s Grace and Power Is Revealed in a Bible Fellowship When Members Serve the Whole Fellowship through Spiritual Gifts ♦ Have someone read aloud 1 Cor 12:1213, 21-26. Point out that just as our physical body has needs, the Bible Fellowship as a Body of Christ has needs. Then remind your group that just as individual members love and serve one another, individual members are needed to serve the Bible Fellowship for the common good of the whole group. ♦ Ask someone to read 1 Cor 12:1, 4-11 and 1 Cor 14:1. Then present the five key points about spiritual gifts found on pages 13-6—13-7. ♦ Describe the gifts that you believe group could most benefit from: leading, teaching, serving, showing mercy, encouraging, etc.
13-12 Lesson Plan
STEP THREE: APPLICATION (10 MINUTES)
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his step is designed to help your Bible Fellowship discover for itself through brainstorming sessions, ways this lesson might be applied within your department. ♦ Ask the buzz groups that were formed in Step 1 to quickly combine with one or two other buzz groups. Appoint a brainstorming facilitator for each group. Instruct each group to brainstorm what actions could be taken to help individual members become more effective in their love and service to one another. Allow about 4 minutes for this. ♦ Next instruct your buzz groups to brainstorm how the group might go about becoming a community that is more comfortable having members serve your Bible Fellowship through spiritual gifts that God has chosen to give so that each member of the group can grow to full maturity. Allow about 6 minutes for this.
STEP FOUR: CLOSING (5 MINUTES)
♦ Read 1 Corinthians 14:1 aloud to your Bible Fellowship. Read it 3 times, giving emphasis to different words each time so that members have an opportunity to hear the full significance of the passage. ♦ Ask them to close their eyes and think about what they have just heard for a moment. Ask them to mentally identify what message they think they are hearing from the Holy Spirit through this verse. Invite them to silently and prayerfully respond to God by expressing their gratitude for the spiritual gifts they know He has imparted to them or to express their desire for specific gifts they believe are needed in your fellowship.
Helping People Close the Gap Through the Sunday Morning Experience
Lesson 13
Growing Wise
Serving Your Bible Fellowship
Notes Buzz Groups: Read Acts 2:42-47; list “action phrases” describing how members of the church participated in the congregation and interacted with each other.
Our Dream for Your Bible Fellowship ♦ That it will be an authentic, biblical expression of Christian community where you experience _________________ and being known, as well as ____________________ and being loved, as you journey together toward spiritual parenthood
♦ That it will be spiritually ______________________ as God’s power is released in miraculous ways, as you each function in the spiritual gifts imparted to you by the Holy Spirit for the ________________ _______ of each believer.
Serving in the Bible Fellowship ♦ Each member is to be __________________ to serve so that the entire fellowship can grow to _____________________.
♦ Members serve __________ _________________ in love. ♦ God’s grace and power is revealed in a Bible Fellowship when members serve the whole ______________________ through spiritual gifts.
♦ Spiritual gifts are 1. Given for the ____________ _________ of the community 2. To be offered in _________________ love 3. To ________________________ the Holy Spirit’s power 4. Given by the Holy Spirit and to be eagerly _____________ 5. Called forth, affirmed, and confirmed in the _________________________
Today’s Scriptures Acts 2:42-47 (TEV): They spent their time in learning from the apostles, taking part in the fellowship, and sharing in the fellowship meals and the prayers. [43] Many miracles and wonders were being done through the apostles, and everyone was filled with awe. [44] All the believers continued together in close fellowship and shared their belongings with one another. [45] They would sell their property and possessions, and distribute the money among all, according to what each one needed. [46] Day after day they met as a group in the Temple, and they had their meals together in their homes, eating with glad and humble hearts, [47] praising God, and enjoying the good will of all the people. And every day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved. Ephesians 4:11-13: It was he [Christ] who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, [12] to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up [13] until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, 21-26: The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body —whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink…. 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!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 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, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 1 Corinthians 12:1, 4-11: [1] Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant…. [4] There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. [5] There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. [6] There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. [7] Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. [8] To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, [9] to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, [10] to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. [11] All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. 1 Corinthians 14:1: Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts.
Helping People Close the Gap Through the Sunday Morning Experience
Lesson Notes
Lesson 13 Serving Your Bible Fellowship
Notes
Growing Wise Daily Reflections
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egin each daily reflection by meditating a few minutes on the suggested Scripture passage. Seek to listen to the Holy Spirit as He speaks to you. Then, consider the comments and questions about the passage. Be aware of both your thoughts and your feelings. Respond to God through both. Monday: They [the believers in Jerusalem] spent their time in learning from the apostles, taking part in the fellowship, and sharing in the fellowship meals and the prayers. Many miracles and wonders were being done…and everyone was filled with awe. (Acts 2:42-43, TEV) There are two things to reflect upon in this passage: the believers were active participants in the life of their faith community and there were regular manifestations of God’s power in the community by which the believers were awed. Could this verse describe your own experiences in your Bible Fellowship and at Casas? Would you like for it to? Share your heart with God and seek His.
Tuesday: All the believers continued together in close fellowship and shared their belongings with one another…they met as a group in the Temple, and they had their meals together in their homes, eating with glad and humble hearts…. (Acts 2:44-46, TEV) Does this passage describe your Bible Fellowship? Would you like for it to? Ask the Lord to speak to you about your level of commitment to the believers in your church “family.”
Wednesday: It was he [Christ] who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity…and become mature…. (Ephesians 4:11-13) Does it surprise you that ministry is not just the responsibility of paid church staff but is, by God’s design, the purview of each believer? Do you see yourself as a servant or minister in the church? Listen to God speak to you, Holy Spirit to human spirit, about His desire for you to serve and minister in your Bible Fellowship.
Thursday: Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good…. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines…. (1 Corinthians 12:7, 11) In what ways do you see the Holy Spirit revealing God’s grace and power through the service or ministry of individuals for the common benefit of the members of your Bible Fellowship? Thank God for the spiritual gifts that He has imparted to others and to you.
Friday: Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts. (1 Corinthians 14:1) Service and ministry should flow from the agapé love you have for the members of your Bible Fellowship. Ask God to give you spiritual or grace gifts so that He might minister in His power through you to those you love.
Take-Home
Helping People Close the Gap Through the Sunday Morning Experience
