Class Lesson September 4, 2011

Hey Gang,

We begin a whole new series this week that is centered on balancing your spiritual growth. It warms my heart to think back when each of my kids would pull me to the "measuring place" to see if they had gotten any taller. We still have those measuring marks on the wall in the kitchen, with names and dates of growth. Wow, where have all those years gone, there are times that I wish we could go back to those early marks on the wall - don't you? Our series of lessons this month wants you to consider or measure whether you have gotten any taller "spiritually." What do you think? How is your spiritual health these days?

Spiritual health demands an integrated balance of connecting, growing, serving, and going. These are the lesson themes for this month - to connect, grow, serve and go!

 

A healthy Christian connects with God in prayer and worship, relates to others in positive relationships, and connects to the church. What does this mean for me? I've been in churches that were completely divided by cliques, that's not right. Maybe there are some people who feel like they don't have anything to offer to their church - maybe they don't have any talents or gifts. Some church people just frustrate me! I'm suppose to show compassion to these people, but its a struggle. And aren't there some people that you just have a hard time getting along with in church? So, why is it so important that I connect with these people?


In the Bible, the Greek word for this connection is “koinonia.” It means to be as committed to each other as we are to Jesus Christ. Wow, now that's asking a lot!

When Paul arrived in Corinth around A.D. 50, the city was alive with commerce, pulsing with political agendas, and buzzing with the latest in Greek culture and thought. However, the city and its people were spiritually dead. Every human pleasure was available - money, power, wisdom, sensuality. Even religious people in this pagan city participated in prostitution as part of worship in the temple dedicated to the love goddess Aphrodite. This was either the best place or the worst place to plant a church. With the culture surrounding them, it's no wonder this Corinthian church called for special attention from Paul. And at the time of our lesson's writing, the church's unity and reputation were at stake. Paul wrote 1 Corinthians to teach these people what Christ's church should look like. We'll read in Psalm 133 a lovely picture of God's people at their best.

CONNECT TO GOD AND OTHERS

I. CONNECT TO OUR DIVERSITY – 1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-18

For as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. So the body is not one part but many. If the foot should say, "Because I'm not a hand, I don't belong to the body," in spite of this it still belongs to the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I'm not an eye, I don't belong to the body," in spite of this it still belongs to the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But now God has placed the parts, each one of them, in the body just as He wanted. 


Paul had planted this church in Corinth and had spent over 18 months in this bustling Greek city. But after he departed, problems arose. Pagan culture applied pressure from all sides. By the time Paul caught wind of how things were going, blatant sexual immorality was being tolerated. The church was dividing into cliques, each wanting to follow a different church leader. When they gathered for the Lord's Supper, some indulged and others went hungry. Believers were suing each other. Some believers felt like their gifts were more important than others and some felt like they didn't belong. 

Paul pointed out that the church, like the human body, is one unit. The unity comes through the Holy Spirit. Regardless of our past, ethnicity, status, or any other trait that might divide, all believers connect to one another.




Why is the human body a good metaphor to describe the church?

•  What do the ears, eyes, head and feet all have in common? They are all connected to one body. 
• The church is made up of different people, all with different gifts, but we all have one thing in common - our faith in Christ.
• We all have the same Spirit that dwell within each believer.

Why is connecting to church a vital part of balanced spiritual growth?

• Because the church is the body of Christ.
• We all may have different interests and gifts, but we all have on common GOAL! 

If you had to pick one of the following body parts to best symbolize your personality or gift(s), which would it be?

Ear - Foot - Eye - Hand - Spine - Big Toe - Eye Lid - Thumb - Elbow

Let’s look at some ways we connect with each other:


1. We connect by admitting our need for each other.

“Since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.” Romans 12:5b (NLT)



Why are people so reluctant to admit their need for each other?

• Individualism – Our culture glorifies it and we admire it, self-sufficient people who seem to get along quite well by themselves.
• Pride – Many people, especially men, feel it’s a weakness to ask for help or to express a need. God wired us that way! He wants His children to depend on each other. We were designed for relationships. Everyone needs a spiritual family, and that’s why God created the church.
• Being vulnerable

2. We connect by committing to each other.

We saw earlier that we are to be as committed to each other as we are to Christ. It means we see the value of each individual’s gifts; we see each other as God’s creations and vessels of God’s grace. It means we commit to being there for each other.






It is by God’s design that we define our lives by four commitments:

A. Marriage – a lasting permanent commitment of love to one person

B. Children – a representation of God’s committed love for His children

C. Work – a representation of commitment to serve

D. Church – a representation of our commitment to one another as Christians



3. We connect by respecting each other.


Respect begins with a Godly perspective. Paul stressed that every Christian is vital, being placed in the community by divine appointment. No matter how impressive or important a member of the body might be, one cannot form a church from a single individual. 


Four ways we show respect:

A. Tactful, not just truthful. Thinking before we speak, knowing that the way you say something will influence the way it’s received.

B. Understanding, not demanding. By treating others the way we would want to be treated. We should be considerate of one another’s feelings and stresses: sometimes people don’t feel good, and their having a bad day.

C. Gentle, not judgmental. Even when we disagree with one another, we should still be courteous and respectful – focusing on our own behavior first.

D. Polite, not rude. When others are rude to you, you don’t have to respond with rudeness. We are taught as Christians to respond with kindness.

 

 



II. CONNECT THE WEAK AND STRONG – 1 CORINTHIANS 12:21-26
So the eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" nor again the head to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, all the more, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are necessary. And those parts of the body that we think to be less honorable, we clothe these with greater honor, and our unpresentable parts have a better presentation. But our presentable parts have no need [of clothing]. Instead, God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the less honorable, so that there would be no division in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other. So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.


In what ways are the parts of our body dependent on each other? How is each church member dependent upon others to work effectively?

Paul turns his attention to those believers who put down the others. "I don't need you" doesn't sound good in English or in the original Greek. So imagine hearing that from members of your own church.


4. We connect by supporting each other.

“… all of you should be of one mind, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds.” 1 Peter 3:8 NLT



We show tender hearts when we say to one another:
It’s OK to have a bad day.
It’s OK to be tired.
It’s OK to admit your mistakes.
It’s OK to share you’re scared.
It’s OK to grieve a loss.
It’s OK to doubt, to be confused, and to cry.



We show humble minds when we say to one another:
It’s OK to be happy you got a new car.
It’s OK to celebrate that you got a HUGE raise.
It’s OK to joyfully tell us you lost seventeen pounds.
It’s OK to shout “Hallelujah” because God’s presence in your life is so good.



We show tender hearts when we weep with those who weep and humble minds when we rejoice in the blessings of others. To support literally means to “lend strength to.”

5. We connect by getting along with each other.

“I beg you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to stop arguing among yourselves. Let there be real harmony so that there won’t be splits in the church. I plead with you to be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.” 1 Corinthians 1:10 (LB)


One of the best ways to get along with people is to make it your goal to love those who disagree with you.

6. We connect by being patient with each other.

“Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” Ephesians 4:2b (NLT)


God gave us two ears and one mouth, perhaps to tell us that we should listen twice as much as we talk.

 

 
III. CONNECT AND GOD WILL BLESS – PSALM 133:1-3
How good and pleasant it is when brothers can live together! It is like fine oil on the head, running down on the beard, running down Aaron's beard, on his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon falling on the mountains of Zion. For there the LORD has appointed the blessing—life forevermore.


Why is it pleasing to see your children getting along with each other?

To have healthy and balanced lives, we must choose to cultivate harmony with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Getting along is a choice.

When was the last time you measured how tall your child was? When was the last time you measured how tall your spiritual height was? Why should we keep growing spiritually?

Remember the Rob Bell video called Rhythm? When considering all believers working together in harmony - this is a good picture to think about. Are you in tune?

Rob Bell - Rhythm

Click Here to Watch

Shouldn’t Andy or the Choir Director have been honest with Barney and told him that he couldn’t sing? What do we learn from the way Andy dealt with Barney’s weakness for singing?

Barney and the Choir
Click Here to Watch

 

Prayer of Commitment
Lord, show me my gift and help me to play the song in tune to benefit Your church. Amen 

  

This is going to be a great series as we spend the next four weeks measuring our spiritual growth - praise God for His Word and for the Holy Spirit's illumination of His truth.

Have a blessed rest of the week as we prepare for Sunday's study of a balanced spiritual growth.

See you on Sunday!

In His Love,

David & Susan 

Class Lesson August 28, 2011

 

Hey Gang,

This is our last lesson on ways believers are to relate to one another. The world teaches us to always look out for number one, why, because we live in a selfish world. But the Bible teaches something completely different, it says that the Christian life involves how we relate to one another and the fulfillment of certain reciprocal responsibilities. Many of these responsibilities are found in the "one another" commands of the New Testament - we have discussed what it means to Love One Another, to Forgive One Another, Not to Criticize One Another, and this week we end with Let's Agree with One Another.

Family arguments are not uncommon even within loving families. How we handle the conflict is a matter of choice and the topic of today’s lesson.

Conflict Resolution in "The Office"

Click Here to Watch

In the 4,000 years of world history, the world has only been at peace 7% of the time - that's 286 years. There are 8,000 known treaties that were signed and broken. Many of the wars were waged in the name of God, the church, the Holy Roman Empire, the crusades, Germany's two world wars. Why is the world filled with so much conflict?

 

Quarrels and conflict are part of the experience in every family.

 

Nations - Families - Churches

 

 

Conflict takes place even within the family of faith. This happened between a pastor and his music director. The friction was so great that it spilled out into the worship service. One Sunday the pastor preached on total commitment to the Lord, and the music minister followed with the congregation singing, “I shall not be moved.” The next Sunday the pastor preached on giving and how God’s people should give generously to the Lord. The disgruntled music leader followed with the congregation singing “Jesus Paid it All.” The following Sunday the pastor preached on gossiping and the need to control the tongue, and the music leader followed with “I Love to Tell the Story.” At this point the pastor was frustrated and he told the church that he was considering resigning next Sunday. The music leader then led the song “Oh, Why not Tonight.” The next Sunday the pastor stood in the pulpit and said, “Jesus led me to this church and it is Jesus who is leading me away.” The song leader led the song, “What a Friend we have in Jesus.” 

 

 

How do you deal with conflict in your family?

 

1. Believers should seek to resolve conflict. Abram took the initiative to resolve the conflict with Lot. Abram could have said, “Now, look here, Lot, this land belongs to me. God has promised it to me, not to you. You’ll simply have to move on.” Instead, he surrendered his personal rights and sacrificed his interests. Likewise, it is our responsibility to surrender our personal rights. The Bible is clear; when there is a conflict with a brother or sister we should take the initiative. The life of faith involves learning to live with brothers and sisters. With that said, there are times when brothers and sisters must separate for the sake of peace. This side of heaven, believers will not always see eye-to-eye. Therefore, there are occasions where a parting of ways is appropriate. For example, in a local church, if there are strong preferences or opinions that cannot be resolved, it can be appropriate for a member to depart for the sake of harmony. We must be “diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”
2. Believers should exhibit tenderness. Abram’s words to Lot were explicitly tender. Twice Abram says, “Please” (lit. “I pray you.”). He then appealed to their kinship—“for we are brothers.” He diffused any anger or defensiveness that Lot may have had and he refused to argue. Now you cannot have a fight if one person refuses to be party to it. It takes two to tangle.
3. Believers should wait on God. When confronted with worrying circumstances that seemed to be clamoring for his immediate action, Abram’s first reaction was to do nothing. He simply waited. He was confident that God would soon make His way clear. On this occasion, Abram refused to take matters into his own hands. Instead, he left his circumstances in God’s capable hands.

How can you be the bigger person in a disagreement that you’re in right now?

1. Take the initiative in resolving the conflict.
2. Let others have first choice, even if that means not getting what you want.
3. Put family peace above personal desires.

How could Abram be so generous to let Lot choose?

•  He put his total trust in God.
• He believed that God would take care of him.

Paul wants to know, ...

III. ARE YOU A PEACEMAKER? – ROMANS 12:16-18; 15:5-6


Be in agreement with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Try to do what is honorable in everyone's eyes. If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.


Now may the God of endurance and encouragement grant you agreement with one another, according to Christ Jesus, so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with a united mind and voice.


How does conflict among Christians help the message of Christ?

• The Bible teaches that we should see conflict neither as an inconvenience nor as an occasion for selfish gain, but rather as an opportunity to demonstrate the presence and power of God.

 

Opportunities to glorify God – by living in peace, by trusting in the Lord and doing good, by being an example of Christ, by showing others God’s love.
 
Get the Log out of Your Eye – ask yourself, is this really worth fighting over? When we look at our hearts, we may find a reason to seek peace.
 
Restoration is a powerful witness – how many conflicts could have been restored if the conflict had remained just between the two of you? Always speak the truth in love.
 
Go and be reconciled – Forgive as God has forgiven you, look also to the interests of others, overcome evil with good.





The story has it that during the civil wars the north and the south were camped out on opposite sides of the Potomac River. The Union soldiers would play a patriotic tune that was dear to their heart. In response, the Confederate soldiers would play a patriotic tune dear to southerner’s hearts. Then one of the bands started to play the tune “Home, Sweet, Home.” The other side stopped its musical composition and joined in with the melody. Soon after that you could hear voices from both sides singing “There is no place like home.”
Though division was among the Union and Confederate soldiers, the song reminded them that their home was the same home and their destiny was the same destiny. The members of the family of God must remember that as brothers and sister we have the same destiny, the same home, and therefore we must desire a peaceful resolution when conflict arises within the family of faith.



Are you a peacemaker?



As people reconciled to God by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we believe that we are called to respond to conflict in a way that is remarkably different from the way the world deals with conflict. We also believe that conflict provides opportunities to glorify God, serve other people, and grow to be like Christ.

I hope everyone has had a blessed week as we bring this series of One Anothering lessons to a close.

Remember our Ice Cream Social is Sunday Evening at 7PM!

See you on Sunday!

In His Love,

David & Susan

Class Lesson August 21, 2011

Hey Gang,

We are continuing in our series on ways believers are to relate to one another. The world teaches us to always look out for number one, why, because we live in a selfish world. But the Bible teaches something completely different, it says that the Christian life involves how we relate to one another and the fulfillment of certain reciprocal responsibilities. Many of these responsibilities are found in the "one another" commands of the New Testament - the first was to Love One Another, the second was to Forgive One Another and this week we are told Don't Criticize One Another.

What is something you wish you could hear from the person it would mean the most hearing it from?

Think about it: ___________

The “words” we choose to use to communicate is one of the most important aspects of learning to relate to one another in love. The Bible tells us that what is in our hearts will come out through our words.

WORDS

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When a person is unconscious, we listen first for their breathing. We wait for their eyes to open; then we listen for what? Words, we listen for them to speak, why? Because words can mean life!



When you want to tell your spouse how much you love them, does it matter what words you use?



When you want to comfort someone, does it matter what and how you choose your words?



When you want to correct someone, family, friend or not, does it matter how you say what you say?

POWER OF WORDS!     -    MOTIVE    -     POWER OF RESULT! 

Do you ever find yourself thinking any of these thoughts?

1. I am way too critical in my attitudes and speech.

2. I know gossip is wrong, but I get caught up in it anyway.

3. I tend to get impatient with other Christians who don’t have their act together.

4. Sometimes it’s easier to criticize than to encourage. 

Don't we respect some people for being able to criticize constructively?

The X - Factor 

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In our lesson this morning, James is addressing people that criticized one another and Paul addressed people that argued and complained over "doubtful issues."


I. THE PROBLEM WITH CRITICISM – JAMES 4:11-12

Don't criticize one another, brothers. He who criticizes a brother or judges his brother criticizes the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?


Name ways that we exchange words today to one another.

• Face-to-face, telephone, cell phone, email, twitter, Facebook, instant messaging...

Why do people criticize others?

• Low self esteem, way they were raised, jealousy, projection of the way they are themselves.

What is the problem with criticism? What is the dangerous progression we engage in when we choose to criticize others?

• We become a judge over another.
• When we criticize another, we criticize the law - Jesus summarized the law by saying that we are to love God and love others. Paul would later say in Romans that when we love others, we satisfy the whole law. When we fail to love others we breaks God's law.

Does the command to not criticize and judge mean we can’t say an action is wrong? How can we exercise good judgment without being judgmental?

• The command refers to an attitude that looks for faults and says unkind things about others. It is not referring to exercising discernment.

In what ways are we to love someone whose behavior offends us?

• We can be merciful. James 2:3
• We can pray.
• We can find a practical way to serve or bless the person.
• We can avoid criticism.

Our role is not to judge, only God can and does accomplish this.


II. THE NEED FOR ACCEPTANCE – ROMANS 14:1-4

Accept anyone who is weak in faith, but don't argue about doubtful issues. One person believes he may eat anything, but one who is weak eats only vegetables. One who eats must not look down on one who does not eat; and one who does not eat must not criticize one who does, because God has accepted him. Who are you to criticize another's household slave? Before his own Lord he stands or falls. And stand he will! For the Lord is able to make him stand.

In the Roman church, the doubtful issue was eating meat. We would probably consider it silly to be at a Roman church potluck and hear them criticizing one another for what they ate.


What are the doubtful issues we face today in the church? Would any of these seem silly to others?

• Dancing, movies we go see, drinking or not.

How has your stance on doubtful issues changed as you’ve matured? Do you feel you have become more or less accepting of people? More or less able to identify what’s worth focusing on? Why?


Acceptance includes affirming the legitimate faith in Christ that each one has professed and sharing in fellowship with them. Paul says that we are neither to ridicule nor condemn another over doubtful issues. The Lord will deal with His own servants in the way He sees fit.



III. THE GOAL OF EDIFICATION – ROMANS 14:5-12, 19

One person considers one day to be above another day. Someone else considers every day to be the same. Each one must be fully convinced in his own mind. Whoever observes the day, observes it to the Lord. Whoever eats, eats to the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; and whoever does not eat, it is to the Lord that he does not eat, yet he thanks God. For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and came to life for this: that He might rule over both the dead and the living. But you, why do you criticize your brother? Or you, why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written: As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to Me, and every tongue will give praise to God. So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

So then, we must pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another.



Does it matter whether I worship on Saturday or Sunday?

• Paul is discussing the command to honor the Sabbath Day and keep it Holy.

Does it matter how I worship, when I worship?


What activities other than worship are appropriate? Are sports, yard work, and shopping permissible? 

• Paul's advice was that such matters should be decided between the believer and His Lord. It is a matter of motive and the believer showing devotion to the Lord.
• The Baptist Faith and Message states that "activities on the Lord's Day should be commensurate with the Christian's conscience under the Lordship of Jesus Christ."
• Don't argue over doubtful issues.

Is Paul saying we should let our conscience be our guide? Is an action okay because we’re convinced it’s okay?

• Let your conscience be guided by the Holy Spirit.

What did Paul want believers to do regardless of their stance on doubtful issues?

• Promote peace and build one another up.

YOUR GOAL THIS WEEK:

Our goal this week should be to let our words constantly reflect God’s love for us and our love for God as we love all the people with whom we come into contact.



Choose one of the following five kinds of loving communication to focus on during the coming week.

1. Kind … Words: Transform worry to joy.

2. Gentle … Words: Break through anger.

3. Pleasant … Words: Encourage learning.

4. Honest … Words: Make us feel loved.

5. Wise … Words: Heal broken hearts.


Emily Dickinson once said, "Words are my life!"




When you speak, when you relate to one another - do it in love!

Prayer of Commitment

Lord, help me to speak Your truth in love. Amen

I hope everyone has had a blessed week as we continue in our study of how we are to relate to one another. 

See you on Sunday!

In His Love,

David & Susan