Fellowship In The Early Church Member

FELLOWSHIP IN THE EARLY CHURCH

YOUNG ADULT CELLS AUGUST 2005 WEEK 4

FELLOWSHIP IN THE EARLY CHURCH I.

Introduction

Last week, we learnt about three qualities of true fellowship: 1) True Fellowship Embraces One Another 2) True Fellowship Enriches One Another 3) True Fellowship Empowers One Another This week, we shall continue with the theme of fellowship. Fundamentally, fellowship is sharing. To be in Christ is to share our lives with Him as He does with us; to be in fellowship with one another is to share our lives with each another. This means a voluntary, joyful, uncalculated sharing of life and possessions.

Member’s Notes Learning Outcomes: Understand, Attitude Objective: At the end of this lesson, you will be able to: • Learn 2 ways in which the early church fellowshipped. • Compare fellowship in our context to those in the early church. • Share something personal about yourself to your group.

Discussion: 1) How is fellowship in the church different from fellowship in a secular organization?

2) Why wouldn’t God want Christians to live in isolation?

In today’s lesson, we will look at two passages of Scriptures and see what fellowship is like in the early church.

Member’s Notes page 1 of 5

FELLOWSHIP IN THE EARLY CHURCH

YOUNG ADULT CELLS AUGUST 2005 WEEK 4

i. A C h u r c h t h a t S h a r e s ( A c t s 2 : 4 2 2 7 )

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47

These passages describe the church in Jerusalem immediately after the experience of Pentecost whereby the Holy Spirit was poured out. It tells us how the early believers met together and shared their lives with one another. Note the extent of their fellowship.

b) What does it mean to be “devoted” to something? (v42)

c) How does fellowship relate to the other three activities: “apostles’ teaching”, “breaking of bread”, and “prayer”? (v42)

d) If we take verse 44 literally, what are some of the implications?

e) Isn’t the practice of verse 45 too fanatical today? Why or why not?

f) Why do you think the early Christians meet so frequently? Where do they meet? (v46)

Member’s Notes page 2 of 5

FELLOWSHIP IN THE EARLY CHURCH

YOUNG ADULT CELLS AUGUST 2005 WEEK 4

Member’s Notes page 3 of 5

FELLOWSHIP IN THE EARLY CHURCH

YOUNG ADULT CELLS AUGUST 2005 WEEK 4

i. A C h u r c h T h a t S a c r i f i c e s ( 2 C o r 8 : 1 5 )

1 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5 And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. 2 Cor 8:1-5

In these passages, Paul addressed the question of the collection of money for the distressed Christians in Jerusalem, which the Corinthians has started but not yet completed. He brought the example of the Macedonia church to encourage the Corinthian believers to “excel in this grace of giving”. a) What was the effect of trials and difficult times on these early Christians capacity for sharing?

b) How can someone give beyond his or her ability? (v2)

c) Why does money have to do with fellowship? (v3)

d) Have you ever seen this kind of sharing? Explain. (v4) Member’s Notes page 4 of 5

FELLOWSHIP IN THE EARLY CHURCH

YOUNG ADULT CELLS AUGUST 2005 WEEK 4

We have looked at how the early church shared and sacrificed. What about our church today? DISCUSSION: 1) Could the kind of community described above actually be possible in our cell group or in our Young Adult Ministry or Church? 2) Personal involvement and sacrifice seems to be what the Lord desires. What does this mean to you?

ii. Conclusion ACTION TIME!! Before we can even become the community that God desires, we need to be open and transparent to one another. This may involve risks as we let ourselves to become vulnerable. However, that is what fellowship is about: “Sharing lives together”. For this week’s action time, I want you to be open to your brothers and sister in the group. 1) Share with the group something that most people did not know about you. 2) Share with the group a personal need or a struggle that you may have.

Member’s Notes page 5 of 5