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Refocus Church

Series 4

18. Fellowship - to help me face life's problems
   

Underlying Theme:    The BENEFITS of being a part of the Church

   

Focal Idea No.1:  Being a member of God's family means I no longer have to stand alone but have people around me to help me through the problems of life

 

      

1. Recapping ‘Fellowship' & ‘Family'

Fellowship is about: 

•  togetherness, 
•  being part of God's family,
•  being there for one another.

 

   

2. Life's Problems – very real things that ‘go wrong' in life

   

The following is the result of brainstorming in groups.

These are the things to be overcome or coped with for which we each need help:

  

i) Physical problems

•  we age, death occurs, but first we suffer failing sight, failing hearing creaking joints, disability, possible senility, organ failures,

•  we suffer illnesses and accidents,

•  we struggle with weight,

•  we suffer physical attack, rape, violence,

•  we fall to addictions – drink, drugs etc.,

•  we bear children with accompanying joys and difficulties.

   

ii) Emotional Problems

   

•  fear of death, of the future, of not coping, of being alone, of failing,

•  anguish of bereavement, family break up,

•  school, college, work difficulties – interviews, new, pressures,

•  health worries, deteriorating health, seeing specialists, dentist,

•  physical, mental, sexual abuse,

•  financial worries,

•  subjects of betrayal, prejudice, criticism, misunderstanding,

•  disasters in news,

•  breakdown in relationships.

   

iii) Relational Problems

•  sibling rivalry, family favourites, rejection, abuse, put downs,

•  coping with retirement or redundancy,

•  coping with disabled children,

•  coping with aging parents, or terminal illness of partner,

•  divorce & separation,

•  bullying, nagging, criticisms, selfishness, undermining,

•  different moral values, different views on discipline of children,

•  being rejected for being a Christian.    

 iv) Spiritual problems

•  Christian life doesn't work out as anticipated,

•  prayers don't seem answered,

•  God seems distant,

•  spiritual disciplines seem boring and lifeless,

•  misunderstood or badly treated by other Christians.

     

3. What we would like to happen – what we want from others to cope with these problems of life 

•  understanding, acceptance and supportive care,

•  concern by others that has a practical outworking,

•  sensitivity, compassion, patience, lack of criticism,

•  empathy & sympathy & vulnerability,

•  someone to be there for you – but space when needed,

•  someone to talk to & share with & give a hug,

•  practical guidance, help and support (physical & financial),

•  encouragement, help to distract from difficulties,

•  accountability, trust, confidentiality,

•  prayer ministry, prophetic input, spiritual maturity.

   

     

4. What is Takes – to create a church that does this 

•  God to move, us to respond,

•  get to know people better, become more aware of them,

•  need to not be self-centred but others centred,

•  encouragement & more space to talk,

•  willingness to become more vulnerable to one another,

•  openness, genuine honesty & reality,

•  willingness to be available to give help – self sacrifice,

•  willingness to receive help,

•  learning to draw more on God's resources to bless others.

    

Quote 1 : “3 & 4 are the sort of church we want to work to become”

   

Quote 2 : “Maturity is not just knowing, but doing.”