QUALITIES OF TRUE FELLOWSHIP YOUNG ADULT CELLS AUGUST 2005 WEEK 3

QUALITIES OF TRUE FELLOWSHIP Member’s Notes

Learning Outcomes:
I. Introduction Understand, Attitude

The word “fellowship” has lost much of its biblical meaning. For example, Objective:
when we say “stay back for fellowship”, we are asking people to stay back At the end of this lesson, you will be
for refreshments. Fellowship now usually refers to casual conversation, able to:
socializing or just having food and fun. • Understand 3 qualities of what
true fellowship is.
• Discuss and evaluate your cell
The biblical word for fellowship is “koinonia”. It is used more than 45 times
group in the light of these 3
in the New Testament and is derived from the word “common”. It could
qualities.
variably be translated into “communion”, “sharing” or “partnership” as well. • Desire to build a better cell
It means having a share of something with someone. together.

Rick Warren defines fellowship as “Experiencing Life Together”.

Discussion:
1) What do you think about Rick Warren’s definition of fellowship?

2) People grow best in a small group setting. Have you ever been in a
small group, eg. an athletic team, a society, a club or cell or ministry
group in which there is close kindred spirit? Evaluate how being in
that small group has shaped your values and impacted your life.

Fifty-nine times, the Bible exhorts believers to minister in some way to one
another. Twenty-one times they exhort us to love one another. Others includes:
- “be at peace with one another” (Mark 9:50)
- “be devoted to one another” (Rom 12:10)
- “honour one another” (Rom 12:10)
- “accept one another” (Rom 15:7)
- “have equal concern for one another” (1 Cor 12:25)
- “serve one another in love” (Gal 5:13)
- “be kind and compassionate to one another (Eph 4:32)
- “consider others better than yourselves (Phil 2:3)
- “admonish one another (Col 3:16)
- “encourage one another daily” (Heb 3:13)

This is true biblical fellowship. Today, we will look in a passage from

Colossians 3:12-17 and discuss 3 qualities of true fellowship.

Member’s Notes
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QUALITIES OF TRUE FELLOWSHIP YOUNG ADULT CELLS AUGUST 2005 WEEK 3

i. T 12 Therefore, as God's chosen

people, holy and dearly loved,
r clothe yourselves with compassion,
u kindness, humility, gentleness and
e patience. 13 Bear with each other
and forgive whatever grievances you
F may have against one another.
e Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14
And over all these virtues put on
ll love, which binds them all together
o in perfect unity.
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Col 3:12-14
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To embrace one another means to accept one another, to hold one another
in high regards and to welcome one another into the family of God. The key
word here is “COMMUNITY”, experiencing life together as a family of God.

b) How does Paul describe the Christian in his relation to God?

c) Paul advocates for us to put on new clothes. Describe in your own words
the meaning of the 5 virtues in verse 13.

- compassion:
- kindness:
- humility:
- gentleness:
- patience:
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QUALITIES OF TRUE FELLOWSHIP YOUNG ADULT CELLS AUGUST 2005 WEEK 3

Discussion:
How do you rate your cell group? Is it a place where all these virtues are
evident and people welcomed and accepted? Are we transparent one to
another? How can we improve as a cell?

Member’s Notes
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QUALITIES OF TRUE FELLOWSHIP YOUNG ADULT CELLS AUGUST 2005 WEEK 3

i. T 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in

your hearts, since as members of
r one body you were called to peace.
u And be thankful. 16 Let the word of
e Christ dwell in you richly as you
teach and admonish one another
F with all wisdom, and as you sing
e psalms, hymns and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to
ll God.
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To enrich one another means to add values into each other lives. The key
word here is “Character”, helping each other grow in Christ-likeness.

a) Before we can enrich one another, there must be an atmosphere of

peace within the fellowship. How can we cultivate this peace?

b) What are some of the ways in which we can enrich one another?

c) What must be the basis of our teaching and admonishing?

d) How can singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs help one another in
our walk with God?
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QUALITIES OF TRUE FELLOWSHIP YOUNG ADULT CELLS AUGUST 2005 WEEK 3

ii. T 17 And whatever you do, whether in

word or deed, do it all in the name
r of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to
u God the Father through him.
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To empower one another means to help each other fulfill the purposes of
God in each other lives. It means doing everything possible to see the other
person succeed. The key word here is “COMMISSION”, propelling each other
to become fully-functioning disciples of Jesus Christ.

e) What are the significances of names in the New Testament times?

f) What does it mean to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus?

g) Bearing in mind that the context of the verse, what are some of the
things we can do to each other.

Discussion:
As a cell, do we consistently seek to spurs one another to love and good
deeds (Heb 10:24)? How can we empower one another to serve God?
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QUALITIES OF TRUE FELLOWSHIP YOUNG ADULT CELLS AUGUST 2005 WEEK 3

iii. Conclusion

ACTION TIME!!
Reflection:
1) Am I a person who constantly seeks to reach out to others? Is there someone in the cell or a friend
that I find hard to embrace? What can I do about it?
2) As a Christian, have I been wearing the new clothes that Paul wants every believer to put on?
3) If someone were to point out certain shortcomings in me, am I open to listen and change or am I
usually defensive about my actions?
4) Write down in a sentence what does it means for you to bear the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Member’s Notes
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