#GOFAMINTDailyDevotion Sun. 7/1/2018

Quarter’s Theme: INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS IN THE CHURCH

UNIT 2 – Practicing Interpersonal Relationship (Lessons 5-7)

CONSECRATION AND DEDICATION MONTHS

Suggested Hymns: G.H.B. 32, 35

Devotional Reading: 2 COR. 13:7-14

Topic For Adults

CORDIAL RELATIONSHIP – YOU HAVE A PART TO PLAY

Topic For Youths

PRAYERFULLY EVALUATE YOUR RELATIONSHIP

Topic For Intermediates

LET GOOD ATTITUDE REFLEFCT IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP

Scripture Lesson

ROM. 12:9-13; EPH. 5:21; JAM. 2:1-7

7/1/2018 LESSON 6

ATTITUDES FOSTERING INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS IN THE CHURCH

MEMORY VERSE

Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion (Rom. 12:16) NKJV

DAILY DEVOTIONAL READING

Sun. 7/1/2018

Walk Worthy Of Your Calling

1 Thess. 2:10-12

Paul was a good example of human relationship to the churches he founded. In his interaction with members of the church, no one could point an accusing finger at him. He walked devoutly, justly and blamelessly among them. He was not a social burden to any of the members. As much as members should be prepared to help those who are in need. Members should not constitute themselves into parasites trying to live only on the benevolence of others. Each individual is called by God to be an important part of the body contributing his quota to the well-being of the church. There are behaviours that are expected from anyone who has yielded to God’s call, and the ones that have not. God’s call is a holy one, hence no one should indulge in carnal lusts. God’s call demands that the Christian should grow spiritually, and not remain a spiritual babe.

Point of Emphasis: Walk worthy of God who called you into His own kingdom and glory.

Prayer Point: I receive the grace to walk in a manner that will bring glory to God’s name.

BACKGROUND

The way we react and behave in the congregation of people matters. Our worship to God is not complete if we fail to relate well and pay due benevolence to people we see and live with. This week’s lesson aims at sensitising us on how we can grow and develop “attitudes” that can make Christians to live peacefully together.

NOTES ON THE TEXT

PART 1: RELATE AFFECTIONAT-ELY (ROM. 12:9-13)

There are people who come across our path and we are not happy when they leave. There are those that when they depart from us, we have no feeling one way or the other. But there are those for whom we have affection, we have closely related with them so much that when they leave, we feel their absence. Within the congregation there are probably the three categories. Our feeling for fellow brethren should neither be negative nor neutral. We should seek to get close to fellow brethren and have kindly affection for them. The tendency is to hold others at arm’s length so that we do not get hurt by their actions. Relationship between brethren should be that we open our protective armour in order to allow others to move close to us. We should be ready and willing to share in each other’s pains and joys.

We should not only be willing to share of ourselves, but should also be willing to share of our goods. There will always be the needy among us. We should be willing to meet their needs as God has enabled us.

PART 2: RELATE WITH HUMILITY (EPH. 5:21)

We live at a time when submission is considered as a sign of weakness. We are trained to assert yourself and prove to everyone that you are not second in importance to anyone. There is competition for recognition and for compensation. When people relate with one another, each wants to take control of the other. In a family, each member wants to claim his or her own right. Within a congregation, members want to prove who is the most important and who should be given the sceptre of authority. Competition gives rise to rivalry. This is the reason why a part the congregation takes another part to court to get the upper hand. No one is ready to submit to another for the sake of the progress of the congregation.

The church of God is not an arena for competition. It is an avenue to serve God through ministering to fellow Christians. Jesus left aside His glory to serve those around Him. He washed His disciples’ feet. Literally, He submitted Himself to His followers. Relationship which will bring down God’s blessings will be one in which everyone submits to others and not one in which everyone claims his right.

PART 3: RELATE WITHOUT PAR-TIALITY (JAM. 2:1-7)

In the church all fingers are not equal. There will be those that are financially buoyant while there are those who are needy. The carnal nature would want to segregate according to social status. It is also part of carnal nature to want to give honour to the rich people in the congregation while the poor are neglected and even sometimes disrespected. People in the world literally worship rich and influential people for what they stand to gain. Society no longer judges people based on moral but rather based on opulence displayed. People flock around those who have great wealth and influence. Such treatment does not engender cordial relationship within a congregation.

Before God, men are not judged based on their wealth, education, political power or social status. Men are judged based on their faith in God and obedience to His commands. Rich or poor, those believers are considered equal. Inter-personal relationship within a congregation should mimic God’s treatment of His children – He does not show any partiality.

CONCLUSION

            Relationship between brethren in a church should be cordial and beneficial to all members of the congregation. This can only be if every member takes pain to live according to God’s commands. When a member of the congregation refuses to follow God’s prescriptions, the relationship within the members suffers. When the relationship suffers, the members also suffer rather than enjoy the benefits of cordial relationship.

QUESTIONS

1. Why do we have different reactions to people that come our way in life?
2. What should be the state of relationship among brethren?
3. Why is competition among brethren not ideal?
4. Comment on the relationship that brings down God’s blessing.
5. Mention the reason why there should not be partiality in the church.