Lesson 13

We are united in a common

origin.

“From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live”

(Acts, 17: 26)

We were created as

social beings.

“The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."” (Genesis, 2: 18)

“So God created man in his own image” (Genesis, 1: 27)

When man sinned, the image of

God started to degrade quickly.

His pure and holy character got

stained with sin.

That damaged our relationship

with God and our social

relationships.

God had a redemption plan, so the human race

could be united and close to Him again.

Since we are sinners who need the grace of God,

we all need to be redeemed by the blood of Christ.

The whole humanity is united by that tie.

“Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians, 4: 13)

“And he [Christ] died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again” (2 Corinthians, 5: 15)

The example of Jesus --when he lived and died among

us-- helps us to understand love, self-denial and

unselfish service. Those things come from a holy

character, like Jesus’.

When we follow Jesus’

example we are united

and close to Him.

“But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be… so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it”

(1 Corinthians, 12: 18, 25-27)

Every member of the Church has a different function, and

must support and complement the other members, like the

parts of the body do.

Only then, the Church could carry out its mission of

preaching the Gospel and will unite its members social and

emotionally.

How should we treat each other as members of

the Church of Christ?

Loving one another (John, 13: 35)

Accepting one another and offering hospitality

to one another (Romans, 15: 7; 1 Peter, 4: 9)

Being kind and compassionate to one another

(Ephesians, 4: 32)

Bearing and forgiving one another

(Colossians, 3: 13)

Encouraging one another

(1 Thessalonians, 4: 18)

Confessing our offences one another

(James, 5: 16)

Praying for one another (James, 5: 16)

Being sympathetic and seeking unity

(1 Peter, 3: 8; John, 17: 21)

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms” (1 Peter, 4: 10)

Think for a moment how good you feel

when you reach out and help others

with your gifts, when you selflessly give

of yourself with no intention of getting

anything back for yourself. Something

inside us is touched.

There is a sense of well-being; we get a

satisfaction that, really, nothing else

can match.

And that is because, by giving of

ourselves, we are living as we were

meant to live. We are doing what we

were originally created to do.

“Christ's followers have been redeemed for

service. Our Lord teaches that the true

object of life is ministry. Christ Himself

was a worker, and to all His followers He

gives the law of service--service to God and

to their fellow men. Here Christ has

presented to the world a higher conception

of life than they had ever known. By living

to minister for others, man is brought into

connection with Christ. The law of service

becomes the connecting link which binds

us to God and to our fellow men”

E.G.W. (Christ’s object lessons, cp. 25, pg. 326)

ASSOCIATE truth – Why should I study this lesson?

DISCOVER truth – What does the Bible say about this truth?

APPLY truth – How can this truth affect my life today?

PLAN using the truth – How can I use this truth today?

TRANSFER truth to life – What changes do I need in my life?

ADAPT it!

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