Sweet Fellowship in Christ Jesus

A fellowship is a group of people who have similar interests. To fellowship, you need to join others to express your faith and be blessed by their presence and contributions.

Ecc 4:10 -12 

10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no-one to help him up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
 In this study we will examine verses from the bible to bring to the fore the advantages of Christian fellowship. We will make some time to touch on fellowships we should avoid. Let us remember that where we fellowship, how we fellowship when we meet together is what will make it loving, attractive and long lasting.

Read the scriptures below and discuss what Christian fellowship is all about.
1. Heb 10
 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

2. Prov 27:
17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.18 He who tends a fig-tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honoured. 19 As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man.

The 3 Levels Of Spiritual Warfare

The 3 Levels of Spiritual Warfare

2 Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 1:19-22

REVIEW

There are various offensive weapons we have as Christians. We discover how acts like praise and Worship, prayer, the blood of Jesus can be a very powerful effective tool for every Christian.

INTRODUCTION

In our lesson today we are going to consider the various levels of warfare where we can apply the weapons we studied about in our last lesson.

THE 3 LEVELS OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE

1.   THE HEAVENLIES: There are basically three heavens namely the sky/ firmaments, the second heavens and the third heavens. Satan and some of his heavenly demons reside in the seconds heavens where as God resides in the third heaven. Whenever God sends answers to prayer request to his children from his abode in the third heavens, Satan and his cohorts in the second heavens can fight against it. We therefore have a duty to continue praying and taking charge of the authorities in the heavens. Daniel 10:10-21, Ephesians 2:2

Discussion.

Based on Daniel`s example, how would you ensure that the forces of the air do not hinder answers to your prayers?

2.   THE BELIEVERS MIND: Our mind is the place where most of our personal battles go on. The bible teaches us to be hopeful, steadfast, diligent etc in our walk with God; all these virtues are birthed and nurtured in the mind.

Humble Beginnings, Praise And Patience

Scripture: Luke 2: 1- 35

Luke 2: 1 – 7

Our Lord and King was born in a manger. That is a humble beginning. The Bible in Job 8:7 says though your beginning be small your latter end shall be greatly increased. God has a beginning for every one of us and he usually starts from the very bottom and gradually takes us to the top. Therefore, it is important that we do not despise where we are right now because we know that the Lord will greatly increase our latter end. Phil. 2: 6 – 11.

Discuss how believers can appreciated their present state while trust God for their future greatness.

Luke 2: 8 – 20

The company of angels appeared praising God. Likewise the shepherds gave glory to God for Christ’s birth. It’s all about praising God.

God's Word And His Prophecy

Scripture: Luke 1: 57- 80

Luke 1: 57 – 66

Elizabeth, who was barren for so many years, now gives birth and the Bible says her neighbors and relatives shared in her joy, they were amazed at God’s greatness and even wondered what else lies ahead. We are surrounded by many who have lost hope and are discouraged, all they are waiting for is a barren Elizabeth (you and I) who will give birth thus announcing to them that God is mighty to deliver. No matter the barrenness that we may face, God is able to turn it around and bring joy.

Discuss why believers run from trials and want the easy way out, instead of trusting in God who is able to DELIVER them from all barrenness.

  

Luke 1: 67 – 75

Zechariah the priest angered angel Gabriel and his mouth was shut for a period till his son John was named. The Bible then said he was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied. In the house of God is rebuke, correction, exhortation and more. These may bring about offenses. But when this happens what do we do? Many of us go away bitter, but let’s learn from Zechariah who allowed himself to be filled with the Holy Spirit and continue the work of God.

Being filled with the Holy Spirit and God’s word is an important ingredient to deal with offenses. Discuss

Luke 1: 76 – 80

Zechariah prophesied into his son’s life and John grew to fulfill this prophesy.  As believers filled with the Holy Spirit we can also speak to the dry bones, they will hear and rise again. The Bible says we should ask and we shall receive, seek and we shall find, knock and the door will be open. Most often we do not do persist in these. Zechariah’s word of prophesy did not fall to the ground but accomplished the purpose for which it was sent.

God’s words of prophesy will eventually come to pass. What part do believers play in achieving this? Discuss

ATTRACTING GOD'S FAVOUR

Scripture: Luke 1: 26 – 56

In Nazareth where many virgins but only one particular virgin found favour before God. Favour is like a bright spot light that God shines on you and singles you out among many people.

Mary must have done something to attract such favour. God’s eyes are always going to and fro to favour his children. His Spot light shines on those who draw his attention through their acts of service from a pure heart.

Luke 1: 26 – 33

Discuss things that believers can do to attract God’s favour.

Luke 1: 34- 38

Mary’s question “How will it be” and Zechariah’s question “How can it be”. One question threw doubt on God’s ability to do what he said he will do. Many of us today repeat Zechariah’s question by doubting God’s promise for our lives. Heb. 4:2b tells us how we can miss God’s blessings

CHAPTERS OF LIFE

Introduction:

Your life is a book containing many chapters. From beginning to end, each chapter plays a role in making you who you are. We have closed chapters that need to be opened, opened chapters with hidden blessings and also chapters which should be maintained.

Scriptures:

Luke 1: 1 – 18; Luke 1:26 – 33; Math. 1:18 – 25.

·         Which chapters have you closed?

·         Which chapters are you opening?

·         Which chapters are you maintaining?

Closed Chapters: -

Luke 1: 1 – 18

In this scripture Zechariah had closed the chapter of ever having a child with his wife Elizabeth.  He was a priest of God but had given up with regard to having a child and even doubted the angel that brought him good news about having a child.

Be encouraged because God is capable of opening every

Commitment to Christ's Church

What is commitment?
Commitment in general terms means dedicating ones full efforts and resources to a particular course.
Commitment to something means regarding the thing as very important and attending to it every time no matter the cost.
For example, many of us are committed to some general things such as dressing, eating, sleeping and wearing shoes .All these are things we do irrespective of our feelings or emotions without any pressure from any source. No one needs to be called several times on the phone or chased around by anyone before he/ she attends to these commitments. Sometimes we are so committed to these things that we feel awkward when we do not fulfil these obligations.

Showing Commitment to God
God also requires us to commit ourselves to His work and His church. A typical example of commitment to church and the work of God in the New Testament is that of Paul and his son Timothy (I Thessalonians 3:2, Hebrews 13:23, Romans 16:21).

The Need for Commitment To Christ

 
In our previous study we discovered that commitment is not anything that requires any new skill or special abilities, in actual fact we were all born with an ability to get committed. Everyone has this potential and can develop it to a higher level. When we become born again, Christ puts into our spirits the ministerial offices and the nine major spiritual gifts.
Every child of God can function in any of these ministry offices and operate these gifts. The new birth opens the door for these spiritual weapons to be formed in our spirit. The spiritual weapons needs to be DISCOVERED, DEVELOPED AND USED (D.D.U). One can only successfully D.D.U when there is a commitment to Christ’s Church.
Commitment is inborn; it comes naturally in various areas of our lives, in the same way the ministry offices and spiritual gifts are deposited in anyone who becomes born again. Spiritual gifts are special abilities given freely by God to every born again .Just like natural gifts, believers do not need to work for the gifts. God gives the gifts and He chooses who to give what to. The ministry offices and spiritual gifts require commitment to Discover, Develop and Use.

CONSIDER THIS
How can one D.D.U his / her spirituals weapons?

Supernatural Finances

Who deceived who saying poverty brings joy to our God. Did you enjoy your week and month when financially you were down and had no resources or contacts to help you? I believe not.

Deut. 8: 17-18 (lays everything bare).

Supernatural Health

Above all else our health is very paramount. Weakness and disease in our bodies can be a limitation to our quest for a unique experience with our God. For the faint hearted any infirmity attacking them may distant them from focusing on the blessings from above.

Supernatural Offering

When we talk about an offering, money is inclusive but not the main object. We can offer ourselves sacrificially in many ways. Living a life pleasing to the Lord, giving God our time, living an