fellowship – HOPE Singapore

We all long for meaningful relationships within the church. But what does that truly look like in Christ? Join us for a 4-part book study series on Philemon, where we learn what true fellowship in the Gospel means.

Title: Caring for One Another
Text: Philemon 22-25

True fellowship in the Gospel entails caring for one another by practising hospitality and rendering support to one another.

General Questions:

What is hospitality to you? Do you have any personal experiences as a giver or receiver of great hospitality? How did those experiences make you feel or impact you?
Other than showing hospitality, we care for one another by supporting one another in the mission that God has entrusted to us. Why do you think Paul always make special mention of people who partnered with him in his letters? What do you think fulfilling God’s missions will be like if we do it on our own?

Perspective Questions:

Early Christians showed hospitality by opening their homes and giving traveling missionaries food, shelter and even funds for the next leg of their journey. What does “unreasonable hospitality” look like to you in your context, such as LG, family and workplace? What is the motivation behind Christian hospitality?
True fellowship in the gospel is not just about sharing lives and memories with one another but also sharing in God’s mission. Do you think this element of fellowship is evident in your Christian fellowship groups? What do you think will happen if this aspect is neglected?

Application Questions:

What do you think a hospitable LG looks like? What roles can you play to raise the level of hospitality in your LG?
Who are the people you can support to fulfil the Great Commission? How do you think you can use your time, talent and treasures to support them, and in particular our pastors and leaders?

The letter to Philemon is short but has something important to say about how our relationship with Jesus changes the way we relate with one another. Our faith is personal but not private and our love has to be active, not passive.

Series: True Fellowship In The Gospel
Title: New Relationships in Christ
Text: Philemon 1-6

General Questions:

Read through the whole book of Philemon together. Recall and discuss the relationship between Philemon, Paul and Onesimus. Why do you think this personal letter was eventually included in the Bible?
While we have the liberty to choose our friends, we do not have equal freedom in choosing whom God places in our church community. We are called to love all our brothers and sisters in Christ. Why do you think this is the case? What is God’s intent in getting us to be part of a spiritual family now that we are in Christ?

Perspective Questions:

The title of this sermon is “It’s Not Just You – It’s Us”. In today’s individualistic society, it is easy to fall into the trap believing that all you need is yourself. What does it mean that our faith is personal but not private? What are some benefits of living out our faith in community?
In the sermon, the preacher pointed out that the phrase “every good thing for the sake of Christ” seems to refer to suffering for Christ. There are times where we miss the suffering/needs of those in your community. What causes us to miss out on the needs of our brothers and sisters, especially when they go through difficult time? What can we do as a community to help stand with each other in suffering?

Application Questions:

We love because God first loved us. What is one practical step you can take this week to refresh another brother or sister in Christ? Share how you can continue this practice of loving others actively and make it part of your lifestyle.
It is easy to take our lifegroup for granted especially when we have been enjoying the presence of our community for awhile. Share one thing you are grateful for your lifegroup and thank them for it.

Our relationship with God is both a personal faith decision as an individual and a corporate experience as a community. Explore why we have to gather in life groups and how we can share life, love one another, and truly be better together!

Series: Focus 2024 – Abide
Title: Spirit-Filled Gathering
Text: Ephesian 5:18-20

Gathering for fellowship is one of the key spiritual habits that enables us to abide in Christ. So how should a Spirit-filled community look like? What does a Spirit-filled gathering look like?

General Questions:

1) Personally, what are the reasons that you commit yourself to regular gatherings, such as life group (LG) meetings and church services? What are your personal values and convictions concerning gathering as a spiritual family? How have you been blessed and benefitted from these gatherings?

2) What do you think are the differences between Christian fellowship gatherings and other social groups? Are there similarities? Do you think LG should be different from other social groups? Why?

Perspective Questions:

1) Do you think your LG meetings are Spirit-filled? What are the areas that you think your LG has gone well? Which areas
(mutual edification, gratitude filled, being other-centred) do you think your LG can grow in?

2) The LG is made up of imperfect people who are growing in their faith. What should our attitude be when the LG is going through challenging circumstances (e.g. conflicts within the group, lack of commitment from members)? How do you think by coming with the right attitudes of wanting to edify one another, with gratitude and with a desire to prioritise needs of other above ours, help and give us a new perspective when there are challenges in the LG? Personally, what differences do you think you can make if you come to LG gathering with these attitudes?

Application Questions:

1) The verses in Hebrews 10:24-25 were intended to encourage believers in Hebrews who were going through persecution to persevere in gathering so that they may encourage one another. What can we learn from Hebrews 10:24-25 when we face challenges in coming to LG or when we see other LG members struggling to gather?

Hebrews 10:24-25 “24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good
deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

2) What are the practical things that you can apply as a LG to build the LG to be a spirit-filled gathering? Which of the following practical pointers do you think your LG can do more in your gatherings?

Practical points:

· Build culture of affirmation in our gatherings.
· Activate prophetic ministry in our gatherings.
· Allocate time for people to share testimonies.