Chapter 3.

Fellowship with Believers

It is vital for our Christian growth that we are strongly
committed to a group of local believers who can help and
encourage us.

THE IMPORTANCE OF FELLOWSHIP

The word ‘fellowship’ means ‘sharing in common’. As
believers, we are all part of God’s family. It is God’s plan that
believers meet with one another, helping and encouraging
one another, so that they may grow in their faith.
1. In Hebrews 10:24, 25
a. What are we told to do? (Verse 24)
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………

b. What are we told not to do? (Verse 25)

……………………………………………………………………………………………

2. What is the promise to believers if they meet in the

name of Jesus? (Matthew 18:20)
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………

3. Does God see any difference between believers?

(Galatians 3:28)
……………………………………………………………………………………………

4. Why is fellowship important?

a. Proverbs 27:17………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………

b. Ecclesiastes 4:9,10… …………………………………………..

……………………………………………………………………………………………

c. Hebrews 3:13……………………… ………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………

5. In what other ways does a believer share with other

believers?
a. Galatians 6:1,2………………………………………………………
b. James 5:16…………………………………………………………….

THE BODY OF CHRIST

God uses the example of a body to describe the relationship
of believers with one another and with Christ. Christ’s body
is the Church, made up of people who are believers in Christ.
Though the Church consists of people of many
denominations, races, nations and languages, we are united
in one Body with Jesus Christ as the head. Every born-again
believer is a member of God’s family and our brother or
sister in Christ.
6. In Ephesians 5:23
a. What is Christ’s position in the Church?
……………………………………………………………………………………………

b. How is the Church described?

……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………

7. Romans 12:4, 5 teaches that all believers are

……………………………………………………………………………………………

8. Each believer is given different but important

responsibilities in this spiritual body, the Church. (Read
1 Cor. 12:14–27)
 a. Who put each believer in his right place in the
body? (Verse 18)
……………………………………………………………………………………………

b. What is God’s desire? (Verse 25)

……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………

c. What attitudes can cause problems in the body?

(Verses 15, 16, 21)
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………

d. Are there any unnecessary parts (Members of the

Body? (Verses 20–23)
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………

e. If another believer is being praised or suffering how

does it affect us? (Verse 26)
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………

9. What is every believer’s responsibility to others in the

Church? (1 Peter 4:10)
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………

10. How are we to act with other believers? (1 John 4:21)

……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………

11. How should we live if we are to preserve the unity of

the Body? (Ephesians 4:2, 3)
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………

The Book of Ephesians gives us the heart of the New

Testament instruction on the Church as Christ’s Body.
Notice how Ephesians 2:19–3:12; 4:1–6 and 5:21–27
summarize this important subject.

THE LOCAL CHURCH

The New Testament describes the local church as a group of
believers in a certain place, bonded together for instruction,
fellowship, worship and service.
12. Where did believers meet before they had church
buildings? (Romans 16:5, 1 Corinthians 16:19)
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………

13. From Acts 2:42 list what the people of the local church
in Jerusalem did.
a. ……………………………………………………………………………
b. ……………………………………………………………………………
c. ……………………………………………………………………………
d. ……………………………………………………………………………
14. What is God’s desire for a local church? (Write out 1
Corinthians 1:10 in your own words)
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………

15. From Ephesians 4:11–16

a. Who in addition to apostles and prophets are to
build up the body of Christ, the Church? (Verse 11)
……………………………………………………………………………………………
b. How are they to build up the body of Christ?
(Verse12)
……………………………………………………………………………………………
c. What is to be the result of such service? (Verse 13)
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………

He Gave
Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers

For the Equipping of

The Saints

For the Work of the Ministry

For the Building up of the Body of Christ

16. Look at Acts 13: 1–3

a. What local church was Saul (Apostle Paul)
associated with at this time? (Verse 1)
……………………………………………………………………………………………
 b. Who were the Prophets and teachers in this
Church?
……………………………………………………………………………………………

c. What activities did these leaders engage in? (Verse

2)
……………………………………………………………………………………………

d. What did the local church do with Barnabas and

Saul?
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………

“Each Christian should select his Church because he is convinced

that within its particular structure he will find the greatest
opportunity for spiritual growth, the greatest satisfaction for his
human needs, and the greatest chance to be of helpful service to
those around him.
Billy Graham
International Evangelist

17. In 1 Peter 5:1–3, how should leaders (elders) in the

Church carry out their duties?
a. ……………………………………………………………………………
b. ……………………………………………………………………………
c. ……………………………………………………………………………
18. What is our responsibility to our spiritual leaders?
(Hebrews 13:17)
……………………………………………………………………………………………
19. How should those who are appointed to preach and
teach be supported?
a. 1 Corinthians 9:14…………………………………………………
b. Galatians 6:6…………………………………………………………
20. In what other way can we help our spiritual leaders?
(Colossians 4:3,4)
……………………………………………………………………………………………
Prayerfully review this chapter. What is the most important
lesson you have learnt?
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
What can you do to make this part of your life?
……………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………

“It is God’s unmistakable purpose to have a people of His Own

and by His amazing grace it is the utterly undeserved privilege of
all who belong to Christ to belong to this community,
the people of God.”
Alan Stibbs
Christian Author