FELLOWSHIP

FELLOWSHIP

“Quality of Life Series”

11/30/04

LEADER: “SIGNS YOU LIVE IN THE YEAR 2004”

FROM: “Friendship, Fellowship and Followship” By Steve Shepherd EXCERT

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=68386&ContributorID=1281
1. You just tried to enter your email password on the microwave.
2. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of three.
3. You call your son’s beeper to let him know it’s time to eat. He emails you back from his bedroom, "What’s for dinner?"
4. Your daughter sells Girl Scout Cookies via her web site.
5. You chat several times a day with a stranger from South Africa, but you haven’t spoken with your next-door neighbor in a year.
6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home.
7. Every commercial on television has a web-site address at the bottom of the screen.
8. You never leave your house without your cell phone, which you didn’t have the first 20 or 30 years of your life.
9. Instead of us using cash money, you use a credit or debit card.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Real Followers Live in Community” Eric Snyder

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=43983&ContributorID=6682

EXERPT

A "Ziggy" cartoon recently pictured the small, pudgy man, sitting alone in a boat, drifting toward a tunnel with the sign above, "Tunnel of Meaningful Relationships." Loneliness is a growing problem in our society. A study by the American Council of Life Insurance reported that the most lonely group in America are college students. That’s surprising! Next on the list are divorced people, welfare recipients, single mothers, rural students, housewives, and the elderly.
Americans are amongst the loneliest people in the world.
We are a very mobile country.
Generally speaking you graduate from high school, move away from home for college, and then you move again for your job, and most people will switch jobs 2-3 times.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Statistics and Research”

Martin & Diedre Bobgan, How To Counsel From Scripture, Moody Press, 1985, p. 18.

http://www.christianglobe.com/Illustrations/theDetails.asp?whichOne=f&whichFile=friendship

Leonard Syme, a professor of epidemiology at the University of California at Berkeley, indicates the importance of social ties and social support systems in relationship to mortality and disease rates. He points to Japan as being number one in the world with respect to health and then discusses the close social, cultural, and traditional ties in that country as the reason. He believes that the more social ties, the better the health and the lower the death rate. Conversely, he indicates that the more isolated the person, the poorer the health and the higher the death rate. Social ties are good preventative medicine for physical problems and for mental-emotional-behavior problems.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Friendship, Fellowship and Followship” #1

By Steve Shepherd EXCERT

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=68386&ContributorID=1281

Preacher Rubel Shelly wrote: “A scientific study was released earlier this year that showed that people without social and emotional support are more than twice as likely to die following a heart attack as people with caring friends. Our culture is losing its sense of community. Too many of us are pulling back into shells of isolation. We are losing the capacity to care for one another. God didn’t make us to live that way.”

LEADER: Isolationism can effect our physical health…what about our

emotional and spiritual health.

Did you know that in the frontier days people built their homes in the center of their land, but as time went by and the isolation got to them, they began to build in the corner of their acreage so their homes would be nearer the corner of three others. There was a need for community.

Today we live closer to one another, but has technology brought closer by phone, fax and e-mail yet separated us from true fellowship.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Finding Faith Filled Friends” By Eric Snyder EXCERPT

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=51593&ContributorID=6682

As a culture we are radically much different than we were a generation ago or even a decade ago. Atm machines allow us to do our banking without talking to anyone. In fact most banks have the option of convenience with online Internet banking. Incredibly convenient but there is a loss of personal touch.
Walk into almost any large store and they provide you with the option of self check out system. Or gas up at the station by paying at the pump.
Over the past few decades we have become more isolationist as a society. Sure things have gotten more convenient but many Americans say that it has also gotten lonelier. We have microwaves and satellite dishes. We can nuke a meal and order a movie off the dish.

LEADER: “We Are Family” By Darrin Hunt EXCERPT

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=39874&ContributorID=6636

How many of you remember the song “We are Family”?
The question is what does a real model family look like?
Today’s society, dysfunctional families are the norm, not the exception.
30% of Americans say that they have experienced long periods of painful loneliness.
70% of Americans don’t know their neighbors.
Internet chat rooms are booming.
Bars are filled with lonely people looking for someone to listen.
But where is the family in all of this? Where is the togetherness?

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “The 10 Commandments of Fellowship”

By Darrin Hunt EXERPT

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=39899&ContributorID=6636

Some kids were asked to write letters to God. Here’s what some of them had to say.
Dear GOD, maybe Cain and Abel would not kill each other so much if they had their own rooms. It works with my brother.
Dear GOD, thank you for the baby brother, but what I prayed for was a puppy.
Dear GOD, did you really mean, "do unto others as they do unto you"? Because if you did, then I’m going to fix my brother!
Dear GOD, I bet it is very hard for You to love all of everybody in the whole world. There are only 4 people in our family and I can never do it.

LEADER: Anything here sound familiar…perhaps you could write your own Dear God.

LEADER: “We Are Family” By Darrin Hunt EXCERPT

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=39874&ContributorID=6636

I’d like to show you the model family.
It’s a different sort of family, a family that stays together, that shares together, that fellowships together.
It’s what a true family should be. It’s the Family of God.
And this family is the cure for loneliness.

LEADER: And the cure for division.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Romans 12:9-21 (ALL TURN TO)
⁹   Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.
¹⁰   Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; ¹¹not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; ¹² rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, ¹³ contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.
¹⁴   Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵  Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. ¹⁶  Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. ¹⁷ Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. ¹⁹ Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.
²⁰   " BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD."
²¹   Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #1

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=39899&ContributorID=6636

“An arch consists of two weaknesses, which leaning against one another make a strength.

Leonardo da Vinci

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

⁹ Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. ¹⁰ For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. ¹¹ Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? ¹² And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Proverbs 27:17

Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Formative Fellowship”#1 By Mike Wilkins

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=43865&ContributorID=7281

EXCERPT
Vance Havner says: “Snowflakes are frail, but if enough of them get together they can stop traffic.”

LEADER: There is strength in numbers AND in a strong spiritual family.

LEADER: “We Are Family” By Darrin Hunt EXCERPT CONTINUED

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=39874&ContributorID=6636

The truth is, we are family. (The UpTop Bible Study is a family). All throughout the New Testament, we see family words like “brothers” …over 130 times in New Testament–Gospels. So what does this Biblical family look like? Or rather, what should it look like? Passage that best describes what a Biblical family should look like. Ironically, this ideal model Church family is also the first Church family.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Acts 2:42-47

⁴² They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. ⁴⁴ And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; ⁴⁵ and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.
⁴⁶ Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

LEADER: “We Are Family” By Darrin Hunt EXCERPT CONT:

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=39874&ContributorID=6636

They were earnest, diligent, persistent, devoted.
(Amplified Bible) steadfastly persevered, devoting themselves constantly.
It was deliberate and constant devotion.
They continually devoted themselves to two things; discipleship and fellowship.

One benefit of belonging to God’s family is spiritual growth.
They were also devoted to fellowship.
koinonia; partnership, participation, togetherness, family.
“to have in common”, “to share”, “to participate for a common cause”.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Philippians 2:1-2

¹ Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, ² make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

LEADER: “We Are Family” By Darrin Hunt EXCERPT CONT:

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=39874&ContributorID=6636

A second benefit of belonging is unity.
HAVE SOMEONE READ: Ephesians 4:4-6

⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Christian Fellowship”

By Pramila Barkataki The Upper Room 2/18/04

http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?start_pos=1&item_id=155895

One winter night we were sitting near the fire and warming ourselves while our eight-year-old son tended the fire, a task he enjoys. He would take out a small coal from the fire and watch it burn for a little while. It would soon go out. Then he would put the coal back into the fire and watch it begin to burn brightly again.

This experience helped me to see a truth about our Christian lives: we need fellowship with other believers to keep our spirit burning within us and to encourage us as committed witnesses. Sometimes we stop going to church or to a particular fellowship because someone hurt us at some time or we did not like something about that place. But when we distance ourselves from other Christians, we can quench the fire of the Spirit within us and lose our enthusiasm to witness for Christ.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Hebrews 10:24-25

²⁴ and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, ²⁵ not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

LEADER: Let’s look at the Baby Boomer generation of which a lot of us are a part…if not in age, in adaptive use of lifestyle. What do they look for in a church?

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Friendship, Fellowship and Followship” #2

By Steve Shepherd EXCERT

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=68386&ContributorID=1281

What do baby boomers expect to see in a church? Boomers are those born between 1946 and 1964, between 40 and 58 years old. There are about 76 million boomers in the U.S.; which currently represent about 29% of the U.S. population.
Lyle Schaller, an Illinois consultant discovered these things: High-quality preaching, good music and social groups. Baby boomers also expect big meeting rooms, a quality kitchen, childcare, ample parking and clean rest rooms. I would say that we have at least some of those things.
What is amazing is this: THE EARLY CHURCH HAD NONE OF THESE MODERN THINGS AND YET THEY GREW! There were 3,000 baptized on the day of Pentecost, Acts 2:41. In Acts 4:4 it states that many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about 5,000. Acts 6:7 says the number of disciples increased rapidly.

LEADER: “Friendship, Fellowship and Followship” #3 CONT:

By Steve Shepherd EXCERT

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=68386&ContributorID=1281

What did the early church have that caused them to grow that perhaps we don’t have or need to improve on?
Consider three things they had which we need today to see the church grow.
1- Friendship 2- Fellowship 3- Followship

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Friendship”

C. Raymond Beran, in Bits & Pieces, September 19, 1991, p. 3-4.

http://www.christianglobe.com/Illustrations/theDetails.asp?whichOne=f&whichFile=friendship

Friends are people with whom you dare to be yourself. Your soul can be naked with them. They ask you to put on nothing, only to be what you are. They do not want you to be better or worse. When you are with them, you feel as a prisoner feels who has been declared innocent. You do not have to be on your guard. You can say what you think, as long as it is genuinely you. Friends understand those contradictions in your nature that lead others to misjudge you. With them you breathe freely. You can avow your little vanities and envies and hates and vicious sparks, your meannesses and absurdities, and in opening them up to friends, they are lost, dissolved on the white ocean of their loyalty. They understand. You do not have to be careful. You can abuse them, neglect them, tolerate them. Best of all, you can keep still with them. It makes no matter. They like you. They are like fire that purges to the bone. They understand. You can weep with them, sing with them, laugh with them, pray with them. Through it all--and underneath--they see, know, and love you. A friend? What is a friend? Just one, I repeat, with whom you dare to be yourself.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Fellowship”

FROM: “Friendship, Fellowship and Followship” By Steve Shepherd EXCERT CONT:

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=68386&ContributorID=1281

Rodney Buchanan from Mt. Vernon, OH, wrote: “I often think of the stories my grandma told about the Depression era when people would pool their soup beans and eat at each other’s homes. Times were hard, but there was a closeness among people that we do not experience today. They worked together, ate together, and actually talked to their neighbors. Even the architecture of homes was different. We lived in a large city, Indianapolis, but our home was like many others, it had a front porch. We had chairs and a swing. I can still remember being on grandma’s porch swing and watching people walk by on the sidewalk. Everyone said hello because everyone knew each other. Sometimes they would stop and talk, or even come up on the porch and sit a spell, and grandma would bring out lemonade. Almost all the homes had porches, and people sat outside in the evening since they did not have air-conditioning. Friends would stop by unannounced to visit. There was a connection among neighbors and families.
“Today it is a different story. You would feel very awkward stopping over to someone’s home unannounced with the intention of spending the evening. Most of you can’t name half your neighbors. If you visited someone, you might be interrupting their favorite TV program. Sociologists have identified a phenomenon in our culture called ‘cocooning.’ Instead of going out and being around other people, we cocoon in our homes with our ‘home entertainment centers.’ We have settled for individual entertainment rather than human interaction. We each have everything we need, and there is no need to ‘pool the soup beans’ anymore.”

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Followship”

FROM: “Friendship, Fellowship and Followship” By Steve Shepherd EXCERT CONT:

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=68386&ContributorID=1281

S. I. McMillen, in his book None of These Diseases, tells a story of a young woman who wanted to go to college, but her heart sank when she read the question on the application blank that asked, "Are you a leader?" Being both honest and conscientious, she wrote, "No," and returned the application, expecting the worst. To her surprise, she received this letter from the college: "Dear Applicant: A study of the application forms reveals that this year our college will have 1,452 new leaders. We are accepting you because we feel it is imperative that they have at least one follower."
Whether we are leaders or not, we ALL must follow our leader.

In order for the Lord’s church to grow there must be “followship” in the church. That is, we must be willing to follow Jesus in whatever He tells us to do in His Word.

“Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only.” James 1:22

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Friendship, Fellowship and Followship” #4

By Steve Shepherd EXCERT CONT:

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=68386&ContributorID=1281

In Chicago many years ago a little boy attended a Sunday school in a certain church. When his parents moved to another part of the city the little fellow still attended the same Sunday school, although it meant a long walk each way. A friend asked him why he went so far, and told him that there were plenty of others just as good nearer his home. "They may be as good for others, but not for me," was his reply. "Why not?" she asked. "Because they love a kid over there," he replied.
There’s the real key to growing a family or a church. They love people in that church. That’s when friendship, fellowship and followship is all about.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Formative Fellowship”#2 By Mike Wilkins

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=43865&ContributorID=7281

In Romania, after communism fell, we in the west became aware of the many orphans there who were basically warehoused in huge orphanages. They were vastly understaffed. So the babies, while they had most of their physical needs looked after – food, shelter and some hygiene, were very seldom picked up and snuggled or played with. Many of them had what doctors aptly call “failure to thrive syndrome.” They may have been many months or sometimes even years old, but they still looked and acted like newborns. What they did not have is family. Or even a sort of surrogate family who would encourage growth. Many people in North America saw these helpless children on the news and decided that they would adopt one.
Christians can be the same – we might be born into new life with Jesus, but if we are left on our own, we can have that same “failure to thrive syndrome” in our spiritual lives.
This is why teaches that it is so important to be adopted into a fully functioning body of believers. Paul,says in Ephesians 4 verse 14,
“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.”
There was never meant to be any “Lone-Ranger” Christians.

LEADER: “Fellowship” By Howard McGlamery EXCERPT

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=54401&ContributorID=9010

We need to understand something very important. Fellowship and friendship are not the same. . . they are two different things altogether.
a. Friendship is being friendly with another person.
b. Fellowship is that which is shared by people who

have something in common. Fellowship includes

friendship, but it also includes some things that you

can’t “get” anywhere else. Things like,

accountability, encouragement, agape

love, help, etc.
We need to be friends with people of the world but that friendship with someone can allow you to be in the world, and not OF it. BUT, if you have fellowship with the world, it not only puts you in the world, but it makes you OF the world too! And that is the reason for the need to find that perfect balance!
c. Fellowship is built on Love
     1. Love for God
     2. Love for Other Christians
     3. Love for Unbelievers.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Real Followers Live in Community”

Eric Snyder EXERPT

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=43983&ContributorID=6682

As our lungs require air, so our souls require what only community provides.
We are designed by God (who himself is a group of three persons living in profound relationship with each other) to live in relationship.
The best way you can tell if you experience community is by answering this question:

· How often during the week do I get together with people with a spiritual purpose in mind?

· We are physical beings so we need to take care of ourselves physically,

· We’re mental so we need to sharpen ourselves mentally,

· But we are also spiritual so it stands to reason that we should take care of ourselves spiritually.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #2

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=43983&ContributorID=6682

"Christ works on us in all sorts of ways…But above all He works on us through each other. Men are mirrors or carriers of Christ to other men…Usually it is those who know him that bring him to others."

CS Lewis 1898-1963 Author

LEADER: What about our fellowship with God?

HAVE SOMEONE READ: 1 John 1:1-2

¹ What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life-- ² and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us--

LEADER: “Fellowship with God” By Ed Wood

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=47241&ContributorID=7639

We would count it a great privilege if the President of the United States were to want to fellowship with us. We’d be honored. Yet the God of this universe, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords desires communion with us. God wants fellowship with us, and yet we do not talk to God. We do not seek Him. God awaits fellowship with His children.
Among other things, there are two relationships that are discussed in 1 John. There is that of Sonship in 1 John 1:1-2, and there is fellowship. Fellowship is described as communion. It is dialogue. It is communication. It is that closeness between God and man.

LEADER: What about our fellowship with Christ?

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Fellowship with Christ” By C.H. Spurgeon EXCERPT

http://www.backtothebible.org/devotions/classics/morning.htm/327/2/8/1

When we were united by faith to Christ, we were brought into such complete fellowship with Him, that we were made one with Him, and His interests and ours became mutual and identical. We have fellowship with Christ in His love. What He loves we love.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: Matthew 28:1

"As it began to dawn, came Magdalene, to see the sepulchre." (tomb)

LEADER: “Obtaining Fellowship” By C.H. Sprugeon

http://www.backtothebible.org/devotions/classics/morning/195/2/8/2

Let us learn from Mary Magdalene how to obtain fellowship with the Lord Jesus. Notice how she sought.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Obtaining Fellowship” #2 By C.H. Sprugeon

http://www.backtothebible.org/devotions/classics/morning/195/2/8/2 EXCERT

She sought the Saviour very early in the morning. If thou canst wait for Christ, and be patient in the hope of having fellowship with Him at some distant season, thou wilt never have fellowship at all; for the heart that is fitted for communion is a hungering and a thirsting heart. She sought Him also with very great boldness. Other disciples fled from the sepulchre, for they trembled and were amazed; but Mary, it is said, "stood" at the sepulchre.

LEADER: So we’re to seek him boldly.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Obtaining Fellowship” #3 By C.H. Sprugeon

http://www.backtothebible.org/devotions/classics/morning/195/2/8/2 EXCERT

She sought Christ faithfully--she stood at the sepulchre. Some find it hard to stand by a living Saviour, but she stood by a dead one. Let us seek Christ after this mode, cleaving to the very least thing that has to do with Him, remaining faithful though all others should forsake Him.

LEADER: We’re to seek him faithfully.

She sought Jesus earnestly--she stood "weeping."

Lastly, she sought the Saviour only.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: “Obtaining Fellowship” #2 By C.H. Sprugeon

http://www.backtothebible.org/devotions/classics/morning/195/2/8/2 EXCERT

What cared she for angels, she turned herself back from them; her search was only for her Lord. If Christ be your one and only love, if your heart has cast out all rivals, you will not long lack the comfort of His presence. Mary Magdalene sought thus because she loved much. Let us arouse ourselves to the same intensity of affection; let our heart, like Mary's, be full of Christ, and our love, like hers, will be satisfied with nothing short of Himself.

HAVE SOMEONE READ: QUOTE #3

http://www.sermonillustrator.org/illustrator/sermon3a/jim_elliott.htm

"The secret of true obedience is the clear and close personal relationship to God. All our attempts after full obedience will be failures until we get access to his abiding fellowship. It is God's holy presence consciously abiding with us that keeps us from disobeying Him. I must consciously include the Lord in every thought, activity, and conversation until the habit is established."
Andrew Murray 1828-1917 Missionary, 1^st President of YMCA

Author of over 240 books

HAVE SOMEONE READ: I John 1:3, 6-7

³ what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.

If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; ⁷ but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

LEADER: So who art we to fellowship with?

A spiritual friend…Our spiritual family…Our Lord

LEADER: The same fellowship-seeking God who walked in the cool of the day with Adam and Eve is reaching out to each of us today. FROM: “A Relationship Approach to Spending Time with God”

http://www.gospelcom.net/rbc/ds/q0718/page2.html

COMMENTS IF TIME: (shorter lesson today)

STOP AT 10 TILL FOR

PRAYER REQUESTS AND PRAISES:

CUT AND DISTRIBUTE FOR READING:

“Real Followers Live in Community”

“Statistics and Research”

“Friendship, Fellowship and Followship” #1

“Finding Faith Filled Friends”

“The 10 Commandments of Fellowship”

Romans 12:9-21

QUOTE #1

“An arch consists of two weaknesses, which leaning against one another make a strength.

Leonardo da Vinci

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Proverbs 27:17

Formative Fellowship”#1

Vance Havner says: “Snowflakes are frail, but if enough of them get together they can stop traffic.”

Acts 2:42-47

Philippians 2:1-2

Ephesians 4:4-6

“Christian Fellowship”

Hebrews 10:24-25

“Friendship, Fellowship and Followship” #2

“Friendship”

“Followship”

In order for the Lord’s church to grow there must be “followship” in the church. That is, we must be willing to follow Jesus in whatever He tells us to do in His Word.

“Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only.” James 1:22

“Fellowship”

“Friendship, Fellowship and Followship” #4

“Real Followers Live in Community”

· How often during the week do I get together with people with a spiritual purpose in mind?

· We are physical beings so we need to take care of ourselves physically,

· We’re mental so we need to sharpen ourselves mentally,

· But we are also spiritual so it stands to reason that we should take care of ourselves spiritually.

“Formative Fellowship”#2

QUOTE #2

CS Lewis 1898-1963 Author

1 John 1:1-2

“Fellowship with Christ”

Matthew 28:1

“Obtaining Fellowship” #2

“Obtaining Fellowship” #3

QUOTE #3

Author of over 240 books

I John 1:3, 6-7