How is the church called to be different from the local social club?

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Overview

Christian community often is confused with mere cordiality, courtesy, or sociability, says Howard A. Snyder. As such, it can be not much different from the Kiwanis Club or a neighborhood potluck. But genuine Christian fellowship is a gift of the Holy Spirit, centered on Jesus, which becomes a living witness to Christ and the gospel in the world.

Why can authentic Christian fellowship be so difficult to develop? What are the markers of genuine Christian fellowship? How can it be deepened and strengthened? These are the questions we’ll be asking and discussing in this study.

Table of Contents

SCRIPTURE: Acts 2:41–47; 2 Corinthians 5:16–21; Galatians 6:2; Ephesians 2:11–22; Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 3:16

LEADER'S GUIDE

    • Identify the Current Issue

    • Discover the Eternal Principles

—Teaching point one: The basis of our fellowship and community in the church is Christ’s work of reconciliation.

—Teaching point two: God’s reconciling gospel through Christ leads to fellowship (that is, community), where natural human boundaries are broken down.

—Teaching point three: At the center of the fellowship of believers is worship of the triune God and the breaking of bread together.

—Teaching point four: The essential practices of the fellowship of believers are mutual support, accountability, and forgiving one another.

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