Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Your Heavenly Father

Chapter 2. Jesus

Chapter 3. The Holy Spirit

Chapter 4. How to Know You Have Eternal Life

Chapter 5. Biblical Fellowship

Introduction

The purpose of this topical Bible study is to learn what the Bible has to say about who God is and how to have good relationships with other people. It consists of questions that are answered by verses in the Bible. The verses are included for your convenience.

Additional questions with a “Q.” beside them are included to stimulate discussion and provide an opportunity to put into practice what you are learning. Sometimes the answers are provided.

A summary is provided at the end of each chapter to provide an opportunity to review what you have learned.

Chapter 1. Your Heavenly Father

God’s Nature

1. What do the following verses teach you about God’s nature?

a. Psalm 107:1. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

b. Romans 8:28. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Q. In what things does God work out for your good?

Q. What does “all” mean?

Q. Does this include the bad experiences in your life?

c. Malachi 3:6. I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.

Q. Why is it important that God doesn’t change?

2. What is your response to these facts about God?

God is good. God works for my good. God never changes. I can trust that a good God who never changes and who works for the good of His children will work for my good.

God Created You with Inherent Value

3. What do the following verses teach you about how God made you?

a. How are we unique?

Genesis 1:26. Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness,

Q. What are some ways we are made in the image of God?

b. What position of authority did God give us?

Genesis 1:26. and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

c. What is one important purpose God gave us?

Genesis 1:28. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.

Q. What does it mean to be fruitful and increase in number?

Q. Why do you think God wants us to be fruitful and increase in number?

To have more people to love

God Loves You

4. What do you learn about God’s love for you?

a. John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Q. Why did God create us?

To love us

b. Psalm 139:1-6

1O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. 2You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.4Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. 5You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. 6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

Q. How does it make you feel to know that God knows everything about you including your thoughts?

Q. Why can you trust Him with total knowledge about you?

c. 1 John 4:9,10

9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

d. 1 John 3:1

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

God’s Blessings to You

5. What are some of God’s blessings to you?

a. Ephesians 1:3

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Q. What does the word “every” mean?

Q. When did God give you every blessing in heaven?

b. Ephesians 1:7-9

7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace  8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,

Q. How has God made known to us His will?

c. 1 Corinthians 3:16

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?

Q. What is the significance of the fact that you are God’s temple?

d. 2 Peter 1:3

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

Q. What are some of the things God has given us?

e. Lamentations 3:22,23

22Because of the LORD’S great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail. 23They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Read the Summary and choose the one thing that means the most to you.

“Your Heavenly Father” Summary

- God’s nature

- God is good

- God works for the good of His children

- God never changes

- God created you with inherent value

- Unique: Created in God’s image

- Authority: Ruler over the earth

- Purpose: Be fruitful and Multiply

- God loves you

- God sacrificed His Son for you

- God knows you

- God loves you anyway

- God loves you as His child

- God’s blessings to you

- Every spiritual blessing

- Redemption, forgiveness, grace

- Knowledge of the mystery of His will

- The Holy Spirit

- Everything we need for life and godliness

- His blessings are new every morning and they never cease

Chapter 2. Jesus

Some say Jesus was just a great man; others say He was just a prophet. Jesus claimed that He is God. If Jesus is not God, then He is a liar and deceiver.

Jesus is fully God and fully man. As God He had the power to pay the penalty for our sin by His death on the cross for all who will believe; and as a man He was able to communicate and empathize with us.

Jesus is God

1. What did Jesus say about Himself?

John 10:28-30.  28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.  29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.  30I and the Father are one.”

2. We learn much about Jesus’ divinity in Hebrews chapter 1.

a. What do you learn about Jesus from the following verses?

Verse 2: but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.

Verse 3: The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

Verse 12: You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.

Q. What aspects of God’s nature do you see in Jesus?

b. What does God call Jesus in verse 8 and 10?

8But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.10He also says, “In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

3. How did Jesus show His supernatural power in the following verses in Matthew chapter 8?

a. Verse 3: Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.

b. Verses 6 & 13: 6“Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering.”

13Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that very hour.

c. Verses 16 & 17: When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.”

d. Verses 23-27: 23Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him.  24Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” 26He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

4. How did Jesus demonstrate that He is God?

John 11:39-44. 3^9“Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” 40Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” 41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

5. After being with Jesus, what did His disciples conclude?

Matthew 16:13-16. 13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

6. What did the angel say that lets us know that Jesus is God?

Matthew 28:5-7. 5The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.  7Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

7. From what you have learned from the Bible, why do people believe that Jesus is God?

Jesus was a Man

8. How did Jesus develop as a boy?

Luke 2:52. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially.

9. What aspects of being a man does Jesus show in the following verses?

a. John 4:6. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

b. John 4:7. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?”

Jesus was thirsty.

c. John 11:35. Jesus wept.

10. What else do we learn about Jesus’ humanity from the following?

Hebrews 2:10-15

a. What has Jesus experienced that we all experience?

Verse 10: In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.

b. What does Jesus call us?

Verse 11: Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.

Q. What is the significance of Jesus calling you brother or sister?

c. Why is Jesus able to help us when we are tempted?

Hebrews 2:18. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Q. What is temptation?

Q. How is temptation different than sin?

Q. How does it help you to know that God became a man and was tempted as you are?

11. What is your response to the fact that God became a man to show His love for you and to suffer and die to make you His child?

Review the timeline.

Q. Why was it necessary for God to become a human?

Q. How does Jesus’ humanity help you relate better to God?

Read the Summary and choose the one thing that means the most to you.

“Jesus” Summary

- Jesus is God

- Jesus said He was God

- He healed and performed miracles

- He lived a sinless life

- He was resurrected from the dead

- He ascended into heaven

- Jesus was a man

- Jesus developed as a normal boy

- He grew weary, was thirsty, and wept

- He suffered and was tempted as we are

- We know that God understands us because He became one of us

Chapter 3. The Holy Spirit

Who has the Holy Spirit?

1. What do we learn about the Holy Spirit from these verses?

a. Before Jesus ascended into heaven what did He promise God would do?

John 14:16. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever

Counselor is also translated Comforter and means “advocate” or “helper.”

b. What does the Holy Spirit do?

John 14:26. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

2. What is true of every believer?

a. 1 Corinthians 2:12. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.

We have received the Holy Spirit

Q. What is one thing the Holy Spirit does for you? Helps us understand what God has freely given us.

Q. What are some things God has given you?

b. 1 Corinthians 3:16. Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?

The Role of the Holy Spirit

3. What do you learn about the role of the Holy Spirit in the following verses?

John 16:7-15

a. What is the Holy Spirit doing in the world?

Verses 8-11: he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:  in regard to sin, because men do not elieve in me;  in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

Q. Why should you not try to convict someone of their sin?

It is the role of the Holy Spirit.

b. What is the Holy Spirit doing for you?

Verse 13: But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

c. Whom does the Spirit glorify?

Verse 14: He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.

Jesus

Q. What does it mean to give glory to Jesus? To praise Him. That is to recognize who He is.

Q. How does the Spirit glorify God? By taking from what is mine and making it known to you.

Q. What does this mean? The Spirit reveals to us the nature of Jesus so we can praise Him.

4. How does the Spirit help us according to these verses?

Romans 8

a. Verse 6: The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.

Q. How can you tell if your mind is not controlled by the Spirit? Having negative thoughts and being anxious or worried

b. Verses 16, 17:

16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.  17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Q. Why does the Spirit have to remind us that we are God’s children? Sometimes we don’t feel like God’s children.

Q. Why do you sometimes feel that you aren’t God’s child? We don’t think and act like a child of God sometimes. Then we feel unworthy.

c. Verses 26, 27:

the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.

Q. Why does the Holy Spirit pray for us? We do not know what we ought to pray for.

Q. What are some examples of things we need prayer help in? Feeling inadequate, blind spots, lack of knowledge of who God really is

5. What results can you expect in your life when you allow the Holy Spirit to be in control of your life?

Galatians 5:22-23. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Q. Why do we not experience this fruit in our lives? We don’t give the Spirit control in our life.

Your Response to the Holy Spirit

6. What are the two conflicting powers at war in every believer’s life?

Galatians 5:16-17. live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.

Q. What are some examples of this conflict in us?

Q. What conflicts do you have?

7. What are the two types of Christians?

1 Corinthians 3:1-3. Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?

Q. How do worldly Christians behave? Like babies. Like mere men.

Q. How do Spiritual Christians behave? Mature, feeding on the solid food of God’s Word, not jealous or quarreling, not acting like non-Christians.

Q. What is the difference? Giving the Spirit control.

8. All Christians behave as worldly Christians sometimes. The question is, then, how do Christians allow the Holy Spirit to control them and not their sinful nature?

a. Ephesians 5:18. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

b. Galatians 5:18. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law

To be filled with the Spirit is to choose to be controlled and empowered by the Spirit. Being filled with the Spirit is not about recommitment or turning over a new leaf or some kind of self-improvement program.

It is not a onetime experience, but a frequent decision to obey God in specific situations rather than follow your sinful nature. When you do take control of your life back from God, which is sin, you need to quickly ask God’s forgiveness and give control back to God. Remember that God loves you and knows what is best for you.

Q. How does this figure show how to live the Christian life?

9. What are you warned about in your relationship with the Holy Spirit?

Ephesians 4:30. do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

10. What are some of the things that grieve the Holy Spirit?

Ephesians 4:31. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

Q. What are some other things that grieve the Holy Spirit?

11. What is there in your life that grieves the Holy Spirit?

12. What do you need to do in order to experience life change in this area?

Read the Summary and choose the one thing that means the most to you.

“The Holy Spirit” Summary

- Who Has the Holy Spirit?

- Jesus promised to send us the Holy Spirit as he ascended into heaven

- The Spirit teaches us all things and reminds us of everything Jesus said

- The Holy Spirit comes into every believer at conversion

- The Role of the Holy Spirit

- The Holy Spirit:

- Convicts unbelievers of sin

- Guides you into truth

- Glorifies Jesus

- Gives you life and peace

- Confirms that you are God’s children and heirs of God

- Helps you in your weakness

- Helps you pray and intercedes for you with God

- The results of a Spirit filled life is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.

- Your Response to the Holy Spirit

- The Spirit and your sinful nature are in conflict

- You must choose to allow the Holy Spirit to control and empower you moment by moment

- When you take control of your life back from God, ask for God’s forgiveness and give control back to Him

- You should not grieve the Holy Spirit by such things as bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander, and malice

Chapter 4. How to Know You Have Eternal Life

In this chapter you will see that God loved you even when you were going your own way and were not even interested in Him. God loves you so much that He sent His Son to die in your place to pay the penalty for your sin. All you have to do is to receive Jesus into your life for the forgiveness of sins in order to receive eternal life. You will learn that you have eternal life based on the trustworthiness of God and His Word and not because you deserve it or have earned it.

I. God’s Plan

- In the beginning there was God.

- God created mankind.

1. What kind of life did God create for us to live?

John 3:16. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 10:10b. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

- In a love relationship with him

- Eternal life

- Abundant life

II. Our Problem

2. What is life in the world really like today?

- Instead of love there is hate.

- Instead of eternal life there is death.

- Instead of abundance there is poverty.

3. There is a separation between the way God created life to be lived and the way we now experience it. What causes this separation between God and mankind?

Romans 3:23. Since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

- Sin causes the separation between God and mankind.

- Sin is choosing to do what is wrong

4. What are the results (wages) of our sin?

Romans 6:23. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Hebrews 9:27. And just as it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment,

- One result of sin is death.

- Another result of sin is judgment.

5. People try many ways to reach God. What are some of the ways people try to reach God?

- By good works.

- By going to church.

What are other ways people try to reach God?

6. According to the Bible, how effective are our efforts to reach God?

Ephesians 2:8-9. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God— not because of works, lest any man should boast.

- No works will save us from the results of our sin.

III. God’s Solution

7. Our position looks hopeless. What we can’t do for ourselves God has done for us.

What is God’s solution for our sin and separation from him?

Romans 5:8. But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.

- Christ paid the penalty for our sins to bring us to God.

IV. Your Response

8. What is your part in all of this? What must you do to have your sins forgiven, to receive eternal life, and be united with God?

John 1:12. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God

- I must receive Christ.

- I must accept the bridge God offers and walk across by faith.

9. Draw yourself on the illustration, on God’s side or mankind’s side.

10. To receive Christ and eternal life and be on God’s side of the chasm, you simply ask Jesus to come into your life in prayer.

Jesus,

I am sorry for my sins.

I believe that you died on the cross for my sins.

Please come into my life, forgive me, and give me eternal life with you.

Amen

V. Assurance of Salvation

1 John 5:11-13. You can know that you have eternal life.

11And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  12He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

1. Who gives eternal life?

2. Where is eternal life found?

3. Who has eternal live?

4. Can you know that you have eternal life?

John 5:24. “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.

What 3 things are the result of hearing and believing?

If you were to die and go to heaven and God asked you, “Why should I allow you into heaven?” what would you say to Him?

How do you know that you have eternal life?

Memorize 1 John 5:11-12 to help you remember that you have eternal life based on God’s Word.

Assurance of Salvation

1 John 5:11-12

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Chapter 5. Biblical Fellowship

What is Biblical Fellowship?

1. Since God is our heavenly Father and all believers are His children, what is your relationship to other believers?

1 John 3:1. How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

Christians are brothers and sisters.

Q. How should brothers and sisters act toward one another?

2. Who is the central focus of Biblical fellowship?

Matthew 18:20. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.

Jesus

3. What are some things we can do for each other as brothers and sisters?

a. 1 John 4:11. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Q. How can we love one another?

b. Galatians 6:2. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Q. How can we carry each other’s burdens?

c. James 5:16. pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Q. How can we pray for each other?

4. All believers are forgiven sinners yet we still sin. None of us is perfect.

a. What is your responsibility to your brother or sister when you have offended him or her?

Matthew 5:23-24. 23“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”

Q. What can you do to be reconciled?

Is there someone you have sinned against? Who?

What are you going to do?

b. What should you do when a brother or sister has offended you?

Matthew 18:15. “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.

Q. How should you show someone what they have done to you?

Ephesians 4:15. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

Q. How do you speak the truth in love?

Is there someone who has sinned against you? Who?

What are you going to do?

Forgive.

Q. Why does God want you to forgive? Not forgiving others hurts us.

If you ever have a problem with a relationship, you don’t have to wonder who should make the first move. It is always you. However, you must rely on wisdom, timing, and love from the Holy Spirit. This cannot be done in the flesh.

Q. What did God do to be reconciled with you?

5. How is Biblical fellowship different from other fellowship groups you have been associated with?

Biblical fellowship is a Christ centered (Matthew 28:20) gathering of spiritual brothers and sisters who love each other and are seeking to love God more and to become more like Jesus.

The Purpose of Biblical Fellowship

6. What are some of the aspects of Biblical fellowship?

a. Proverbs 27:17. As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

Q. How can we sharpen one another?

b. Hebrews 10:24-25. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Q. How do we/can we spur one another on?

Q. How do we/can we encourage one another?

c. Galatians 6:10. Let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Q. How do we/can we do good to one another?

7. What are some of the responsibilities we have to one another in Biblical fellowship?

a. Ephesians 5:21. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Q. How do we/can we submit to one another?

b. Colossians 3:16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

Q. How can we teach one another?

Q. How can we admonish one another?

Q. How do we do this in all wisdom?

c. 1 Thessalonians 5:11. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Q. How can we encourage one another?

Q. How can we build each other up?

Our Fellowship Functions as the Body of Christ

8. God describes our fellowship with one another and with Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:14-27.

a. How is our fellowship of believers described?

Verse 27. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Q. How is the fellowship of believers described?

Q. How is the fellowship of believers like a body?

b. Who gave the parts of the body their functions?

Verse 18. But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.

c. What does God want for our fellowship?

Verse 25. so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.

Q. What can we do to have unity?

d. What can lead to division in the body? Verses 15, 16, 21

15If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 21The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”

Comparison, feeling of no need of another part

Q. What are some other things that can cause division?

e. Why are there no unnecessary members in the body? Verses 20-22

20As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,

Each depends on the other

Q. How do we depend on each other?

f. How does stubbing your toe demonstrate the truth of verse 26?

26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

9. Who is the head of our body of believers?

Colossians 1:18. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

Jesus. Jesus won’t force His leadership on our fellowship just like He won’t force His Lordship on our life.

Q. Why should we eagerly follow His leadership in our fellowship?

10.      What will preserve unity in the body?

Ephesians 4:2 – 3. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Q. Is there someone with whom we need to be humble? Gentle? Bear with them in love?

Q. How can we bear with someone in love?

Q. Why does it take effort on our part to keep unity in our fellowship?

Q. What is our common bond that binds us together?

Christian fellowship provides a safe environment where real life issues can openly be shared and you can experience life change. You can share your hurts, habits, and hang ups. You don’t have to pretend to be something you’re not.

Read the Summary and choose the one thing that means the most to you.

“Biblical Fellowship” Summary

- What is Biblical Fellowship?

- We are a fellowship of brothers and sisters

- Jesus is the central focus of Biblical fellowship

- We love one another, carry each other’s burdens, confess to each other, and pray for each other

- It is always your responsibility to make the first move in restoring a relationship independent of whether you or the other person was to blame

- Biblical fellowship is Christ centered and is about giving and receiving from one another

- The Purpose of Biblical Fellowship

- Our fellowship sharpens us, spurs us on to love and good deeds, and encourages us

- We do good to everyone, especially to the family of believers

- We submit to one another, teach and admonish one another, and build each other up

- Our Fellowship Functions as the Body of Christ

- Our fellowship functions as a body with Jesus as the head

- God gave each member of the body an indispensable function

- God wants no division in the body and that there should be equal concern for all parts of the body

- God wants us to make every effort to maintain unity by being humble, gentle, patient, and bearing with one another in love

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Your Heavenly Father

Chapter 2. Jesus

Chapter 3. The Holy Spirit

Chapter 4. How to Know You Have Eternal Life

Chapter 5. Biblical Fellowship