Aesop was a Greek writer who lived around 500 bc. In one of his fables, Aesop tells about a father with several sons who had problems among themselves. One day the father asked them to bring him some sticks. The man tied the sticks together and asked his sons to break the bundle of sticks, which they could not do. Then he gave each son a stick and told each one to break his stick. They did that very easily. Then he told the sons that if they stuck together, they would not be injured by their enemies, but if they were divided, their enemies could defeat them. Mark 3:14 states that Jesus called His apostles so that they would “be with Him.” God’s people become a partnership when we stick together in koinonia (Greek for “fellowship”). Fellowship with God comes about through a holy life. Christian fellowship involves ethical standards and practices. See what the following verses have to say about fellowship.
1. Psalm 133:1. What two words in this Scripture describe living together in unity? Name two or three areas where fellowship is pleasant or where it could be improved.
2. Acts 2:41–46. The church in Jerusalem “continued” in fellowship. How does verse 46 describe their unity? How can we become more like that early church?
3. 1 Corinthians 1:9–10. Who calls Christians into fellowship? What does this passage teach about good fellowship? How can churches or believers enrich their unity or togetherness?
4. 2 Corinthians 6:14–16. What kind of fellowship should we avoid? How did Jesus relate to “publicans and sinners” (Luke 7:34)? Describe the difference between friendship with sinners and being committed to them in marriage or business partnerships.
5. 2 Corinthians 8:1–6. What did the churches in Macedonia ask Paul to do? What is a fellowship ministry? How can we become involved in this kind of service?
6. Galatians 2:9. What does it mean that three apostles gave Paul and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship? How can we be partners in various ministries and outreaches?
7. Philippians 1:4–6. Why did Paul thank God for his relationship with the Philippians (4:17–19)? To what extent is God faithful to us?
8. Philippians 3:10–11. How did Paul experience the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings? (2 Corinthians 11:25–26). Are we ready for that kind of partnership with Christ?
9. 1 John 1:3. What kind of relationship did John have with Christ? In what ways are our Father God and Christ His Son within our spiritual circle? How should this truth affect us?
10. 1 John 1:6–7. Are we having fellowship with Christ if we walk in darkness, or don’t live as we should? What blessings are ours if we walk in spiritual light?
1. Psalm 133:1. What two words in this Scripture describe living together in unity? Name two or three areas where fellowship is pleasant or where it could be improved.
2. Acts 2:41–46. The church in Jerusalem “continued” in fellowship. How does verse 46 describe their unity? How can we become more like that early church?
3. 1 Corinthians 1:9–10. Who calls Christians into fellowship? What does this passage teach about good fellowship? How can churches or believers enrich their unity or togetherness?
4. 2 Corinthians 6:14–16. What kind of fellowship should we avoid? How did Jesus relate to “publicans and sinners” (Luke 7:34)? Describe the difference between friendship with sinners and being committed to them in marriage or business partnerships.
5. 2 Corinthians 8:1–6. What did the churches in Macedonia ask Paul to do? What is a fellowship ministry? How can we become involved in this kind of service?
6. Galatians 2:9. What does it mean that three apostles gave Paul and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship? How can we be partners in various ministries and outreaches?
7. Philippians 1:4–6. Why did Paul thank God for his relationship with the Philippians (4:17–19)? To what extent is God faithful to us?
8. Philippians 3:10–11. How did Paul experience the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings? (2 Corinthians 11:25–26). Are we ready for that kind of partnership with Christ?
9. 1 John 1:3. What kind of relationship did John have with Christ? In what ways are our Father God and Christ His Son within our spiritual circle? How should this truth affect us?
10. 1 John 1:6–7. Are we having fellowship with Christ if we walk in darkness, or don’t live as we should? What blessings are ours if we walk in spiritual light?