Discipleship Series
Dealing With Others
The Bible is very clear that the present world system is contrary to God's eternal purpose. The Word of God commands His children to be separate from this world system; yet at the same time, to reach lost men and women who live in it for Jesus Christ.
The purpose of this lesson is to show the special relationship which you now have with your spiritual family and to give you a clear understanding of how the body of Christ operates as a family unit. The lesson will also attempt to show Christians how to live a balanced and consistent life in order to influence people for the Lord Jesus Christ, without the world influencing them for evil.
Saved
I. What is my relationship to other Christians?
A. They are your brothers (and sisters) in Jesus Christ. Be sure to understand, only those in Jesus Christ (saved people) are your brothers, regardless of any other factors. Likewise, those not in Jesus Christ (unsaved people) are not your brothers regardless of any other factors.
Romans 8:29; I John 3:1,2; Hebrews 2:9-12
B. They are your fellow laborers in service for Jesus Christ.
I Corinthians 3:5-10; Ephesians 2:19-22
II. What are my responsibilities toward other Christians?
A. We are to pray for each other. Almost every one of Paul's letters opens with a prayer for those he is writing to.
I Thessalonians 1:2,3; II Timothy 1:3 - I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;
B. We are to minister to each other to those in our immediate
church family, as well as Christians in other areas.
[1]. Physically - Galatians 6:10 - As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith; Romans 12:13 - Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Acts 11:27-30
[2].Spiritually - Galatians 6:1,2; Romans 15:1,2; Hebrews 13:3.
C. We are to encourage and edify one another.
I Thessalonians 5:11 - Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
D. We are to serve one another. Philippians 2:3,4; Matthew 20:25-28
III. What should be my attitude toward other Christians?
A. The primary attitude should be to love them.
I John 3:14-16; I Peter 4:8 - And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves; for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
B. Be patient with them. Romans 15:5-7
C. Be sensitive to their needs. I John 3:17,18; James 2:15,16
D. Be forgiving to each other.
Ephesians 4:32 - And be ye kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Colossians 3:13 - Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
IV. What is "Fellowship?"
A. "Fellowship" is a term commonly used by Christians generally referring to getting together for activities or times of sharing common interests. Webster's dictionary defines fellowship as: Companionship; mutual association of persons on equal and friendly terms; However, the essential elements of true biblical fellowship are not physical matters such as social status, friendship or common interests. True biblical fellowship is based upon the word of God, as being the Christians final authority and centered in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. You must learn to have fellowship with Him personally before your fellowship with other believers will be proper. I John 1:3-7
V. Basic Questions
A. What is another Christian offends me?
Unfortunately, this will probably happen to you if you spend any time with your brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. There will be times of offense, hurt, and disagreement within the body of Christ, just as in your physical family. If and when this happens, if it is serious enough, the Bible gives us a definite progression of principles to deal with the matter. How should you respond in such a case?
[1]. Take the offense directly to the other party first, privately, and try to settle it between yourself. Matt. 18:15
[2]. If the matter is not resolved privately, take it to a leader in your church to attempt to mediate the situation. Matthew 18:16;
1 Corinthians 6:1-5
[3]. Do NOT go to the unsaved to settle a problem within the body of Christ. I Corinthians 6:1-6
[4]. If this matter still cannot be resolved;
a) Personally accept the wrong. I Corinthians 6:7,8
b) Commit the situation to the Lord Jesus Christ. He will handle it justly. 1 Peter 2:19-23
c) Forgive your brother. Colossians 3:13
d) Pray for your brother. Matthew 5:43-48; Romans 12:14
The Unsaved
VI. You must realize that if you live for Jesus Christ you will encounter opposition from the world.
A. You will be opposed, because Jesus Christ was opposed. John 15:18-21
B. You will be opposed only if you live for Him. If you go along with the world, they will not oppose you. II Timothy 3:12
VII. What areas will this opposition come from?
A. Your primary opposition will come from those closest to you who know you best - friends, family, fellow workers, acquaintances.
Matthew 10:35-36; John 1:11; Mark 6:4
B. From unsaved people in general. The two spiritual families have never gotten along and never will. Galatians 4:29
C. From society in general. The nature and course of this present world system is against God. This opposition is communicated subtly through the media (literature, television, radio, etc.) You must judge those things by the Word of God. I John 2:15-17;
James 4:4
D. Of course, the master mind behind this opposition is Satan.
[1]. He is your adversary. I Peter 5:8
[2]. He is currently at work in unsaved people. Ephesians 2:2
VIII. How can I overcome this opposition?
A. Give a soft answer. Avoid fights whenever possible. Proverbs 15:1; Romans 12:18
B. Please God with your life: Proverbs 16:7
C. Have faith in God. I John 5:4,5
D. Love your enemies and help them. Jesus Christ loved His enemies enough to die for them when He didn't have to do it. The world cannot understand this type of love, and those who are seeking the truth will be drawn to it. Romans 12:14; 20,21
E. Pray for your enemies, and pray with pure motives. Matthew 5:44
F. Keep good company. Associate with people who love God and want to serve him. Proverbs 13:20; 1 Corinthians 15:33
G. Be transformed by the Word of God. Romans 12:1,2; Ephesians 5:26
IX. How Should the unsaved world view me as a Christian?
A. They should know you love God - not by your mouth as much as your life. I Corinthians 8:3
B. Your lifestyle should separate you from the world, and your behavior should be peculiar, scripturally, to them.
C. However, you should not be so peculiar physically that you lose influence. The unsaved should view you as moderate in physical matters. Philippians 4:5; 1 Corinthians 9:22
D. They should see you as being open and honest in all matters. II Corinthians 8:21; Romans 12:17
E. They should see a living testimony of the grace of God. Philippians 2:14,15
F. Generally, you should be of "good report." I Timothy 3:7; Colossians 4:5,6
X. How should I view the world?
A. You are a pilgrim in a strange land. Hebrews 11:13; I Peter 2:11
B. Your home is in heaven. Ephesians 2:6; Philippians 3:20
C. This world is a "mission field" to reach the lost for Jesus Christ. Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:18-20
XI. Basic Questions.
What are my responsibilities to my government?
A. Government is one of three institutions ordained by God, the other two being the family and the church. All governments are controlled by Satan (Luke 4:5,6) and, therefore, are essentially against God. However, you are still to submit to the ordinance of God. Romans 13:1,2
B. If you do what is right, you have no reason to fear. God will honor you for doing right. Romans 13:3-5
C. Render to the government what is due by law. Romans 13:6,7; Matthew 17:24-27; 22:15-22
D. Submit to their ordinances. I Peter 2:13-15
E. Honor those in authority, even the wicked, without partaking of their wickedness. Commit any adverse situations to God, and let Him handle them.
I Peter 2:17-23 - When Peter wrote these words, Nero was king, perhaps the most wicked king Rome ever had.
F. Realize that you cannot legislate morals or change mankind through political action. Man is by nature fallen and sinful and must be changed individually, from the inside out, through a personal saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Titus 2:14
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Questions & Answers
(Please answer on a separate sheet)
Lesson 6 - Dealing With Others
1. List the two primary aspects of your relationship with other Christians.
2. List four responsibilities you have toward other Christians, and give a scripture reference that best defines each point.
3. List four attitudes you should have toward other Christians, and give a scripture reference that best defines each point.
4. What does the term "fellowship" mean?
5. True biblical fellowship is based upon and is centered in the
6. True or False:
A. True biblical fellowship is based on the Word of God.
B. True biblical fellowship is possible with an unsaved person.
C. We must have fellowship with Jesus Christ before we can have true fellowship with other Christians
7. In the event another Christian offends you, list three principles which should govern your actions in attempting to resolve the matter.
8. In the event your brother refuses to help resolve a problem, what should you do?
9. As a Christian you will encounter some opposition from the world. Why is this?
10. List the sources of opposition you will face.
11. There are ways that the Christian can deal with opposition from the world. Briefly explain how the following verses can help you.
A. Proverbs 15:1
B. Proverbs 16:7
C. I John 5:4,5
D. Romans 12:20,21
E. Matthew 5:44
F. Proverbs 13:20
G. Romans 12:2
12. When unsaved people observe your life, what should they see?
13. As you look at the unsaved world, what is your position.
14. God has ordained three institutions for man. List them.
15. As Christians we have responsibilities concerning our government. List some of the primary responsibilities.
16. Many "Christian" groups today are trying to force morality on people through the passing of laws. Why won't this process work.
Key Memory Verses:
Ephesians 4:32; I John 3:14,15; I John 1:7; II Timothy 3:12; I John 2:15,16; I Corinthians 8:3
NOTE: Some incorrect attitudes among Christians are:
1. We are not to associate with Christians who do not believe exactly as we do.
2. "Fellowship" must be centered around a meal or an activity.
3. Christians are to be totally separate from unsaved people.
4. I should do anything to keep people from being upset at me.
5. The best way to fight opposition is an aggressive approach.
From the Bible principles taught in this lesson, you should understand that these attitudes are wrong, and why.
Write any questions you may have concerning the subjects in this lesson.
Return To Index | Lesson 6
