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Study Notes

“Koinonia” = Common Life

• Though we are many, we are the one Body of Christ
• Through the Spirit, we are to love one another with Christ’s sacrificial love
• We are to forgive one another as the Lord forgave us
• We are free to serve others in love

Understanding the Text

1. Our Position: Children of light (vv. 4 – 5)
2. Our Commandment: Act as children of light (vv. 6 – 8)
3. Our Appointment: Life (vv. 9 – 10)
4. Our Obligation: Encourage one another (v. 11)

Encourage One Another…

1. Love and acceptance in Christ
2. Instruction in God’s truth through word and life example
3. Gently correcting sinful attitudes and behaviors
4. Prayer
5. Practical deeds of service
6. Complimenting signs of growth and spiritual service
7. Taking the initiative to maintain unity in the Spirit
8. Providing a listening ear

Principles from the Text

• Believers are children of light
• Believers, therefore, must act as children of light
• Believers are appointed to life
• Believers, therefore, must encourage one another

Applying the Text

• Do you act as a child of the light?
• Are you encouraged by your position and appointment?
• Who can you encourage this week?

Learn more about Wonder Lake Bible Church

Contact Wonder Lake Bible Church

Study Notes

“Koinonia” = Common Life

• Though we are many, we are the one Body of Christ
• Through the Spirit, we are to love one another with Christ’s sacrificial love
• We are to forgive one another as the Lord forgave us

Understanding the Text

1. The Call to Freedom (v. 13)
2. The Misuse of Freedom (v. 13)
3. The Proper Use of Freedom (v. 13)
4. The Love Principle (v. 14)
5. A Warning (v. 15)

Principles from the Text

• Believers have been called to freedom in Christ
• With freedom comes the responsibility to serve in love
• Failure to serve in love may lead to utter destruction

Applying the Text

• Who… or what… is your master?
• Are you a servant?

The Gospel… Good News for Believers

• The Lifelong Process of Repentance and Faith
• Grace

Learn more about Wonder Lake Bible Church

Contact Wonder Lake Bible Church

Study Notes

“Koinonia” = Common Life

• Though we are many, we are the one Body of Christ
• Through the Spirit, we are to love one another with Christ’s sacrificial love

Understanding the Text

1. Calling (v. 12)
   • Chosen by God
   • Holy
   • Dearly Loved by God
2. Character Commands (vv. 12-15)
   • Compassion / Kindness / Humility / Gentleness / Patience / Forgiveness / Love / Peace / Gratitude

Forgive One Another

Bear with each other… and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another…. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

• Love… “Character Glue”
• The Peace of Christ… “The Umpire”

Principles from the Text

• Believers have been chosen, and are dearly loved, by God
• Believers are holy- set apart in character and destiny
• The calling of God should produce the character of God

Applying the Text

• Do you gratefully praise God for His calling and love?
• Are you growing in holy character?
• Do you forgive as the Lord forgave you?

The Gospel… Good News for Believers

• The Lifelong Process of Repentance and Faith
• Grace

Learn more about Wonder Lake Bible Church

Contact Wonder Lake Bible Church

Study Notes

“Koinonia” = Common Life

• Is a sharing of our experience of God and life in Christ
• Requires commitment, honesty, openness and integrity
• Promotes spiritual growth
• Enriches our relationship with God and one another
• Provides strength, refreshment and instruction for our souls

John 13:31-35

1. The Glorification of the Father & the Son (v. 31-32)
2. The Departure of the Son (v. 33)
3. The Commandment of the Son (vv. 34-35)

Principles from the Text

• God brings glory to Himself in unexpected ways
• Believers are to love one another sacrificially
• Believers are to love one another through the power of the Holy Spirit
• Spirit-empowered, sacrificial love demonstrates to the world that believers are genuine followers of Christ

Applying the Text

• Do you love sacrificially?
• Do you love through the power of the indwelling Spirit?
• Does your love show others that you are a “real-deal” Christian?

Learn more about Wonder Lake Bible Church

Contact Wonder Lake Bible Church

Study Notes

“FELLOWSHIP”

Koinonia= Common Life

“Spiritual fellowship in the New Testament is participating together in the life made possible by the Spirit through our union with Christ. It is sharing something in common on the deepest level of human relationship – our experience of God himself”.

–John Loftness

“Spiritual fellowship with one another on any level (family, small group, or one on one) involves commitment, honesty, openness, and integrity. Wherever these virtues are present, the saints enter into deep and satisfying relationships that promote their spiritual growth.”

–Philip Graham Ryken

“Fellowship is, first, a sharing with our fellow-believers the things that God has made known to us about himself, in hope that we may thus help them to know Him better and so enrich their fellowship with Him. …Fellowship is, secondly, a means of finding strength, refreshment, and instruction, for one’s own soul.”

–J.I. Packer

Principles from the Text

• While there are many individuals in the church, we are united as one body.
• You have been baptized by the Holy Spirit into the church and He continues to unite us.
• Denial or failure to recognize your membership in the church does not make you any less a part of the church.
• Whatever your role, you play a vital part in the functioning of a healthy church.
• God has sovereignly placed you in the church just as He wills.
• Everyone in the church needs everyone else.
• God desires unity and mutuality in His church.
• The church is not a social club- we are the body of Christ.

Applying the Text

• Do you see yourself as a member of something much bigger than yourself- Christ’s church?
• Do you see yourself as a vital part of Christ’s church?
• Are you fulfilling God’s purpose for you in the church?
• Are you living in unity and with mutual concern for others in the church?