T is about Its not aboutCOMMUNITY INDIVIDUALITY Acts 2:42 (NLT) 42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

T – is about Its not about TRUE FELLOWSHIP TRUE FELLOWSHIP TRITE RELATIONSHIPS John 13:34-35 (NLT) 34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

T is about Its not about MENTORING TORMENTORING 2 Timothy 2:2 (NLT) 2 You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others. 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7 (NIV) 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.

COMMUNITY For just as each one of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Rom. 12:4-5

COMMUNITY They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together at the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47

COMMUNITY The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper (or companion) suitable for him.” Gen. 2:18  God’s intention is community  God has made for himself a family

These people …. are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted –twice dead. They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom the blackest darkness has been reserved forever. Jude 12,13 A Glimpse of the Fate of the Unrepentant

COMMUNITY The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper (or companion) suitable for him.” Gen. 2:18  God’s intention is community  God has made for himself a family  There is no community in hell

COMMUNITY Elements of true community: T________________ F________________ B____________________ P________________ Barrier to community: s_________________ Character of Christian community: t_____________ p__________ Expression of community: b___________ l________

COMMUNITY Elements of true community: Teaching Fellowship Breaking of bread Prayer Barrier to community: Self-centeredness Character of Christian community: Transformed People Expression of community: Brotherly Love

MENTORING All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. Acts 4:32 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet. Acts 4:36-37

MENTORING When Saul came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. Acts 9:26-28

The church in Antioch Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among the Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. Acts 11:19-21

The church in Antioch News of this reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man and full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. Acts 11:22-24

The church in Antioch The Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. Acts 11:25-26

The church in Antioch Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While the were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Acts 13:1-2

MENTORING We learn from Barnabas – a mentor is: one who can see the grace of God working in others one who can see the gifting of others and involves them in ministry one able to let the mentee take on the leadership role

CONFLICT Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them at Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. Acts 15:36-38

CONFLICT They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. Acts 15:39-41

CONFLICTS Five ways of resolving conflicts:  The t_________: pretend there is no conflict  The s_________: win at all costs  The t____________: always give in to the other  The f_________: find a compromise  The o_________:collaborate to find a “win- win” solution

CONFLICTS Five ways of resolving conflicts:  The TORTOISE: pretend there is no conflict  The SHARK: win at all costs  The TEDDY-BEAR: always give in to the other  The WILY FOX: find a compromise  The WISE OWL:collaborate to find a “win- win” solution

CONFLICT RESOLVED My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. Col. 4:10 Epaphras …. sends you greetings. And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers. Philem. 24 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 2 Tim. 4:11