BUILDING UP ONE ANOTHER

LESSON I................................................................................................LOVE ONE ANOTHER.LESSON II ............................................... BE OF THE SAME MIND WITH ONE ANOTHER.LESSON III...................................................................................ADMONISH ONE ANOTHER.LESSON IV. ..........................................................................................SERVE ONE ANOTHER.LESSON V .......................................................................BEAR ONE ANOTHER'S BURDENS.LESSON VI. .................................................................................SUBMIT TO ONE ANOTHER.LESSON VII....................................................... ENCOURAGE AND EDIFY ONE ANOTHER.165

Lesson l

BUILDING UP ONE ANOTHER LOVE ONE ANOTHER

I Thessalonians 3:12; 4:9Paul frequently uses the analogy of the human body to illustrate how the church is tofunction. See I Corinthians 12:14-27. For further reference study Romans 12 and Ephesians 4.What is Paul saying here:A.No individual Christian can function effectively by himself. Just as there aremany parts of one body in the physical makeup of human beings, so the body of Christ is made up of many members. And each member is important. Nomember of Christ's body can say, “I don't need you”. We all need each other.B.No member of Christ's body should feel he is more important than another. SeeRomans 12:3.C. We should strive to create unity in the body of Christ. Study I Corinthians 12:12.The most significant key to unity and effective body function is love. We are to "loveone another." Love is the “more excellent way”. See I Corinthians 12:31; 13:13.The exhortation to "love one another" appears more frequently than all others. Of the 58 references to what we are to do for one another as fellow believers, 11 times we are toldto love one another. If you add Christ's direct Commands to “love one another”, which arerecorded in John's Gospel, the total comes to 16 in the New Testament.Christians are to be just as devoted to each other as are the individual members of aclose-knit family unit. For we are a unique family unit. We are "blood brothers." ReadEphesians 1:7. “We are family”.Consider the following practical steps for developing loving family relationships in thechurch.

I.DON’T ATTACK YOUR CHURCH.

If you attack your spouse, or children not honoring their parents you only destroy your own home. Have you heard, “don’t bite the hand that feeds you and if you do, you won't befed”.When a church attacks their pastor or its members you only destroy your own church. Sotake seriously what the Bible says about brotherly love.A. I Thessalonians 4:9-10.B. Hebrews 13:1-3.C. I Peter 1:22.D. I Peter 3:8-12.166

Lesson 1 (cont’d)

II.EVALUATE YOUR ATTITUDES AND ACTIONS TOWARD OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH.

Some Christians find it difficult to identify with other believers at the "feeling" level.Consider the following reasons:A.You may fear rejection. Some individuals have been so deeply hurt by othersthey are afraid to express their feelings.B. You may have had a family background where displays of love were uncommon.It will take time, prayer and association with Christians whom you can trust toreverse such behavioral patterns.C.You may spend too much time thinking of yourself. A selfish, self-centered person is never happy. Happiness results from reaching out in love to others.

III.EXPRESS LOVE IN A TANGIBLE WAY.

A. The giving of a gift.B. A note or word of appreciation to someone who has helped you.C. An invitation to dinner.D. Leading a soul to Christ.E. Volunteering for a church responsibility.All of the foregoing may be summed up in the words of Christ in John 13:34, 35.Answer the following questions:1. Reading the references, what is Paul saying?a. b.c.2. What is the one most important key for a church to have in order to be effective andhave unity?3. If we don't take seriously what the Bible says about love what will happen in our homes and churches?4. List the three reasons why some Christians find it difficult to relate to other believers.a. b.c.167