Interaction With People
Lesson 5
                                                                             
Jesus is our Leader. 

Col 1:15-20 
15        He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
16        For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.
17        He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
18        And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
19        For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,
20        and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

He is God, He is head of the Church, He reaches out and forgives..

Introduction

Have you noticed any changes happening in your relationships with people since you have come to Christ?

Many times as a new believer people have different roles with friends. You may find that your old friends do not understand and do now approve of your new way of life. This lesson is to help with some understanding of some of those changes.

I.  Relationships With Christians

Fellowship with Christians Important 

Hebrews 10:24, 25
24        And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
25        Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (NIV)

            Why is it important to fellowship with other Christians?

Ways to Fellowhip

Acts 2:42
42        They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (NIV)

            What four aspects of relationship were important to the church in the New            Testament? 

            Which aspects of fellowship are missing in your own life?

Be sure a church in which you fellowship is a place where Christ is honored and His Word is preached.11               

II.  Relationships with Non-Christians

True Fellowship Difficult with Unbelievers

I Corinthians 2:14, 15
14        The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15        The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment: (NIV)

John 17:14-17
14        I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.
15        My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
16        They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.
17        Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. (NIV)

Why is true fellowship difficult with a non-Christian?

Treatment of Christians

I Peter 4:3, 4
3          For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do — living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.
4          They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you.

How do non-Christians sometimes treat Christians?

Our Attitude Toward the Unbeliever

I Peter 3:15, 16
15        But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
16        keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (NIV)

What should the Christian's attitude be toward the unbeliever)?

Explanation:  We are to have the balance of telling our friends clearly about our faith, but not doing it in an obnoxious manner.

III.  A Potential Tool For Sharing the News About Jesus

You can tell your friends about your relationship with Christ.  One way of telling your friends about Christ is through a little booklet Would You Like to Know God Personally?

Instructions for Use

            Introduce the booklet:  If someone comments about how you have changed recently, you can say, "Yes, I am a lot more content with life recently.  Believe it or not, it is because I am learning how to have a relationship with God.  May I share with you some things I am learning?"
            If the person says, "No.", then simply say, "Any time you want to talk about it, I'm available."  Then change the subject, love the person, and let the change that Christ has done in your life do its work.
            If a person says, "Yes.", simply explain, "This little booklet summarizes how to know God personally.  It has meant a lot to me.  Can we look at it together?"  If the person backs off, you can simply say, "I understand.  If you would like, I can give it to you and you can read it over.  I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have."
Then change the subject.  Never get angry that someone won't listen.

            Read the Booklet:  If the person agrees to go through the booklet, simply read it slowly and clearly, holding the booklet where they can see the words.  You may point to where you are on the page so the person can follow more easily.

            At the circles, if the person says they are on the left and want to be on the right simply continue through the booklet, giving them an opportunity to pray the prayer silently.  After they pray continue through the rest of the booklet.  If the person says he is in the right hand circle (the Christian), say, "That's great, How did you come to know Christ."  If they say they are in the left and want to remain in the left, say "At some time in your life, you may want to know Christ personally, let me show you how you could receive Christ when you wish."

Read through the prayer on the next page, give him/her the booklet and say, "You are welcome to have the booklet."
           
You have not offended anyone, forcing them to do something they do not want to do.  You have gone as far as the person is willing to go, and left it there, with an opportunity for future discussion.  This is giving an answer for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and reverence.

A person coming to Christ is like a piece of fruit on a tree.
If you try to pick it too early you can bruise the fruit.

Extra Reading:        John 1:35-51--Disciples bring people to Jesus. 
                                    John 4--Jesus and the Woman at the well.
                                    Acts 22:1-24--Paul's testimony.
                                    Isaiah 6--The call of Isaiah

Success in witnessing is simply sharing Christ in the Power of the
 Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God.12

return to Discipleship Lessons

return to Home page