1) What is Church?

Church is the gathering of believers.  Church is the body of Christ and He is the head of this body.  You became a part of this body when you believed in Christ.  God wants you to be attached to His body and to be a healthy and active member of that body.

1 Corinthians 12:12  …………………………………………………

Colossians 1:17-18  …………………………………………………

2) How does God want your relationship to be with other believers?

God wants you to love His children.

1 John 5:1 …………………………………………………

God wants you to serve others.

Galatians 5:13-15 …………………………………………………

God wants you to get together with His other children and encourage each other.

Hebrews 10:24-25  ………………………………………………

Are you regularly participating in church services and the SHABAHANG meetings?  God’s desire for you is to make changes in your life-style so that you can regularly attend church, classes and the SHABAHANG meetings.  What should you change in your life to do this?  God wants you to obey His will even if it results in financial loss.  He does not want you to disobey Him for money.

3) How to maintain healthy relationships in the church?

Church is a place for imperfect people like you and me who are becoming more and more like Christ every day.  It is natural for conflicts to arise when two imperfect individuals live together.

Proverbs 27:17 …………………………………………………

What are we supposed to do with these conflicts?

Matthew 18:21-22 …………………………………………………

We should keep a tight rein on our tongue and not use it for gossip.  If we have issues with anyone, we must forgive him first, and then discuss it with him, rather than gossiping.

Matthew 18:15-17 …………………………………………………

Ephesians 4:30-32 …………………………………………………

Do you have a severed relationship with any Christian believer (either out in the open or just in your heart)?  God wants you to first forgive him and then discuss it with him.

4) What am I to do with my old friends?

Our relationship with others and with God changes after we believe.  God wants us to choose a number of people among the believers who live a righteous life and to have close friendships with them so that we gradually become like them.  God does not want us to continue our relationships with our old friends who entice us to sin or with Christians who don’t live a model life.  Why?

1 Corinthians 15:33  …………………………………………………

James 4:4  …………………………………………………

So how should I relate to my friends?

2 Corinthians 5:19-20 …………………………………………………

What are the friendships you have, with non-believers or lukewarm Christians that should be halted until you are strong enough in your faith that you can witness to them without engaging in their sin?  Who are exemplary Christians in the church or the SHABAHANG

groups whom you can start new friendships with?

5) How should I relate to the leaders of the church and SHABAHANG group?

For your own spiritual growth and also to provide a healthy environment in the church, it is important that you have a right relationship with the church leaders at all levels.

Hebrews 13:7 …………………………………………………

Hebrew 13:17 …………………………………………………

6) Personal Application:

Review the truth discussed in this lesson and pray about it.  Below, write out your decisions on the changes you will make in your life to obey the Word of God and to live according to His will regarding these issues:

( ) Regularly attending church and SHABAHANG

( ) Forgiving others.

( ) Not gossiping.

( ) Discontinuing wrong relationships.

( ) Making proper friendships.

( ) Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with friends and family.

( ) Making relationships with SHABAHANG group and church leaders.

Act on you decisions and the heavenly blessings will fill your life.