Questions Based on the Article Definition of Christian Fellowship

CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

(page 4-5, Bible Witness, Volume 10, Issue 1)

Questions based on the article “Definition of Christian Fellowship”

1. The Greek word koinonia (fellowship) is translated with 5 other words in the King James Bible. Look up the implied meaning of these words from their corresponding verses listed below to gain a broader understanding of the word:

a) Communion

• 1 Corinthians 10:16a, b –

• 2 Corinthians 6:14c –

• 2 Corinthians 13:14 –

b) Communication

• Philemon 1:6 –

c) Distribution

• 2 Corinthians 9:13 –

d) Contribution

• Romans 15:26 –

e) To communicate

• Hebrews 13:16 –

1. Name the parties involved in Christian fellowship as mentioned in 1 John 1:3. Why can this relationship be construed as a foretaste of heaven?

1. Explain how Christian fellowship began with God right at the beginning in Genesis 3:8-9. In what way is it an act of God’s grace?

1. Did Adam and Eve continue to enjoy fellowship with God right after their fall in Genesis 3:8? Mention some of the ways in which carnal men and women react when confronted by the Word of God.

1. When God called Adam “Where art thou?” (Genesis 3:9), does it mean that God was clueless to Adam’s whereabouts? What was that call all about?

1. A number of OT and NT verses quoted in this article tell of God’s desire to reach out in fellowship towards His people. What could be the most obvious hindrance to God’s efforts of reaching out in reconciling man to Himself? (cf. Isaiah 59:2)

1. What important element must be seen in the believer’s relationship with God and fellow believers to make it qualify as Christian fellowship? (1 John 4:12b, 16b)

CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

(page 6-7, Bible Witness, Volume 10, Issue 1)

Questions based on the article “Basis of Christian Fellowship”

1. What is the basis of Christian fellowship as expressed in 1 John 1:3? By what means can a person become a participant of Christian fellowship?

1. The Apostle Paul besought the brethren in 1 Corinthians 1:9-10 to fellowship together in the same mind. What does this mean? Upon what fundamental doctrine of Christ must one accede to and believe in for him to be considered a partner of Christian fellowship?

1. Explain from Ephesians 4:4-6 and Philippians 2:1-2 why Christian fellowship cannot exist outside the body of Christ.

1. How should the believer respond towards people who reject the Gospel of Christ? In what way will our close association with them affect the Gospel?

1. How does the Bible view the fellowship and communion of unbelievers? (1 Corinthians 10:20-21)

1. What was the Apostle Paul’s reproof with regards to associating with unbelievers and idol worshippers? What was the command given to the brethren who are found among them? (2 Corinthians 6:14-17)

1. Give some biblical reasons why it is totally wrong to consider the ecumenical movement to unite all faiths as an extended arm of Christian fellowship. (Acts 4:12; 1 John 5:11-12; John 3:36; 14:6; 1 Corinthians 3:11; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Hebrews 2:3)

CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

(page 8-11, Bible Witness, Volume 10, Issue 1)

Questions based on the article “A Discourse on Christian Fellowship”

1. What do you think could be the possible reasons why false concepts of Christian fellowship have been brought into the church?

1. How can we ascertain that Christian fellowship is the Apostle John’s main topic of discourse in 1 John 1:3-7?

1. Who are the main participants of Christian fellowship according to 1 John 1:3? Explain briefly how all believers in Christ are called into an eternal partnership with one another.

1. What human factors could possibly create divisions and barriers to Christian fellowship? How does the passage in Galatians 3:26-28 address this problem?

1. Does the Bible encourage believers to mingle with worldly people? How should Christians react when accused of being out of sync with the world and why? (James 4:4)

1. Aside from being a partnership among believers, what makes Christian fellowship different from any social, racial, cultural, or economic associations? (1 John 1:3c)

1. In what way can Christian fellowship attain the fullness of joy spoken of in 1 John 1:4 and illustrated in 2 John 12?

1. How is the nature of Christian fellowship said to be the very nature of God and the Gospel of Christ? (1 John 1:5)

1. Why is it that people walking in darkness are less likely to be found in the fellowship of God’s people? (John 3:19-20)

1. What is God’s provision for every errant believer to be restored and maintain sweet communion with Him and His people? (1 John 1:7) How can this provision be applied to the backslidden Christian?

CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

(page 12-14, Bible Witness, Volume 10, Issue 1)

Questions based on the article “Expressions of Christian Fellowship”

1. Why does Christian fellowship carry a very special blessing? In what sense is it an “out-of-the-earth” experience?

1. What are the qualities that believers need to express in Christian fellowship according to the Apostle Paul in Philippians 2:1-4? How did the early church leaders convey these qualities to Paul after his conversion? (Galatians 2:9)

1. Name the biblical prescriptions for Christian fellowship mentioned in Acts 2:42. Discuss how these prescriptions can spawn Christians’ growth in grace and knowledge of the Lord and strengthen their bond with one another.

1. How did the believers in the early church demonstrate their ‘togetherness’ in Christian fellowship? (Acts 2:44-45; 4:34-37)

1. Read Philippians 4:14-18 and describe how the Philippian church partnered with the Apostle Paul in promoting the work of the Gospel.

1. In what way can our fellowship become an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable and wellpleasing to God? (Philippians 4:18; Hebrews 13:16)

1. Having learned three important expressions of Christian fellowship from this article, discuss how you may get more involved in demonstrating these expressions to others.

CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

(page 15-16, Bible Witness, Volume 10, Issue 1)

Questions based on the article “Brotherly Love in Christian Fellowship”

1. Why are there unloving people within the fellowship of Christians? (2 Timothy 3:1-4)

1. How is it that loving the brethren is said to be a sure mark of one’s salvation? (1 John 3:14-15)

1. According to 1 John 3:16b-17, to what extent should we sacrifice ourselves to help our needy brethren?

1. Name some ways in which brotherly love can be manifested in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:18)

1. Explain briefly why the love for the brethren manifests assurance of eternal life but cannot be the means for obtaining it. (1 John 3:14-15; cf. Ephesians 2:8)

1. Where did Christian love originate and how do we express our appreciation for it? (1 John 3:16)

1. Sum up your understanding of the substitutionary atonement of Christ and how it can be applied to our own benefit.(cf. John 11:50; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13)

1. In what way can the presence of brotherly love in our fellowships affirm that we are of the truth? (1 John 3:19; cf. John 13:35)

CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

(page 17-19, Bible Witness, Volume 10, Issue 1)

Questions based on the article “Prayer and Christian Fellowship”

1. Point out some verses in the Bible that underline the importance of praying for one another. Use a Bible concordance for easy reference.

1. When we see a brother living in sin, how should we pray for him? (1 John 5:16a)

1. According to the Apostle Paul, why were some Corinthian brethren weak and sickly while others had even died? (1 Corinthians 11:28-30) Do bodily afflictions that come upon Christians always mean the presence of sin in their lives? Explain briefly.

1. What is a “sin not unto death” and how can a person with such a sin be given life? (1 John 5:16a)

1. What makes a particular sin become “a sin unto death”? (1 John 5:16b) How would you describe such a person in this case?

1. Why is it an exercise in futility for one to pray for an individual that is ‘sinning unto death’? (Jeremiah 14:10-12) What might be the result if God were to apply the final stage of discipline upon this person? (Acts 5:1-10; 1 Corinthians 11:28-32)

1. The Apostle John mentions people who “went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us” (1 John 2:18-19). Who are they and what do they do?

1. If physical afflictions do not always mean the presence of sin in a person’s life, what should be the church’s approach in dealing with problems like these?

CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

(page 20-24, Bible Witness, Volume 10, Issue 1)

Questions based on the article “Have No Company with Disorderly Christians”

1. Why do you think some Christians consider it outrageous not to seek fellowship with other Christians who behave in a disorderly and disobedient manner?

1. According to 2 Thessalonians 3 verses 6-7 and 14-15, upon what circumstances do we discontinue fellowship with another brother and why?

1. Look up these verses and note the different expressions of withdrawing fellowship from disobedient Christians:
2. Romans 16:17 –

• 1 Corinthians 5:9, 13 –

• 1 Timothy 6:5 –

• 2 Timothy 3:5 –

• 2 John 10 –

1. The Apostle Paul used the full name and title of our Saviour in commanding that fellowship should not be extended to those that walk disorderly. What weight does it lend to the command? (2 Thessalonians 3:6; cf. Acts 3:6; 2 Corinthians 2:10)

1. How can we balance “have no company” with the disobedient brother without completely ostracizing him? What should be our attitude towards him? (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15)

1. What are the dangers that pose a threat to believers should they maintain close fellowship with the following groups of people:

• Busybody persons (2 Thessalonians 3:11) –

• Lazy and irresponsible persons (2 Thessalonians 3:11) –

• Fornicator (1 Corinthians 5:11) –

• Covetous (1 Corinthians 5:11) –

• Idolater (1 Corinthians 5:11) –

• Railer (1 Corinthians 5:11) –

• Drunkard (1 Corinthians 5:11) –

• Extortioner (1 Corinthians 5:11) –

• Schismatic persons (Romans 16:17; 1 Timothy 6:5; 2 John 10) –

• Self-promoting persons (3 John 9-11) –

1. What negative impression will result if we continue to associate with unrepentant brethren? (2 John 11)

1. How will the withdrawal of our fellowship from disobedient brethren work out to their rebuke and shame? (2 Thessalonians 3:14)

1. Why would disorderly brethren try to influence others to behave like themselves? (1 Corinthians 15:33; cf. 1 Corinthians 5:6)

1. Cite the grave consequence that may befall Christians when they continue to defy the command to withdraw from disorderly brethren. (Ephesians 5:6; Proverbs 13:20; Revelation 18:4)

1. In what way will disorderly brethren become a vexing burden and a great hindrance to our service for the Lord? (cf. Psalm 120:5-7; 2 Peter 2:7-8)

1. How would you respond to an unrepentant person who keeps on inviting you and offering his favours, gifts or advice? (Proverbs 9:6; Psalm 26:4-5; cf. Psalm 1:1)

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