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If you remove a burning piece of charcoal from the middle of the fire and put it aside, it will soon go out. The same is true with you as you begin this wonderful journey with God. Getting "connected" with other Christians will help you build the kind of foundation you need in order to remain faithful in your walk with God and to become a mature and strong Christian. Christians really do depend on each other. John Wesley once said: "The Bible knows nothing of the solitary religion". Christianity is about fellowship with other believers.
In this lesson we are going to consider three important ways you can get connected:
- Find a mentor
- Become part of a local church
- Join a MOSAIC Bible study group
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Find a Mentor
Author, Reuben Welch once wrote a book entitled "We Really Do Need Each Other." This is espcially true for Christians. Having a mature Christian to encourage, counsel, guide and pray for you can help you mature and grow.
Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." In the Bible we also read about the Apostle Paul who was a mentor to a young Christian pastor named Timothy. In a letter to Timothy, Paul writes, "You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others." (2 Timothy 2:1-2) Paul is saying, "Timothy, I have been a great example for you. Now take what you have learned and teach it so others can pass it along." Jesus gave a similar command to go and make disciples, teaching them how to be followers as well. Matthew 28:19-20
Now is the time for you to begin looking for a mentor.
- Someone you trust and respect
- Someone you can be open and honest with
- Someone who is a mature Christian
- Someone who is available
Make sure he receives a leaders guide from MOSAIC. Plan to be meet regularly. Each week read through the MOSAIC Bible Study Series for New Christians. Complete the assignments. Write down any questions you may have. Be prepared to share what you are learning. Pray together and be willing to be held accountable. |
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Attend a Church of Your Choice
What is the Church?
The church is not a building. Actually, the church is the body of all converted believers. The word church appears more than 100 times in the New Testament and comes from the Greek word "Ecclesia" which means "set apart". This means those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, have been forgiven of their sins, and have been washed by the blood of Jesus Christ and are set apart from the world to serve God.
The local church provides a place where you can worship, serve, and fellowship with other believers. These things can only be attained by means of the relationships that are found in the church. (Acts 2:42) Nothing can take the place of worshiping and being part of a local congregation. Satan will try to convince us that we do not need to take care of other people. He will say, "as long as we have God, who needs other Christians!" |
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Join a MOSAIC Bible Study Group
What are MOSAIC groups?
mosaicbiblestudy.org
A mosaic is a beautiful work of art that is formed with hundreds of colorful pieces of glass. Each small piece of glass plays an important role in making the image complete. It is much like the body of Christ. Small groups of people gather to fellowship, worship, study Scripture, pray and serve.
Fellowship: MOSAIC provides opportunities for individuals to find "their place" in the larger Christian community. Through authentic relationships we find love, support, encouragement, accountability and discipline.
Study Scripture: We believe in the divine inspiration of Scripture. As we study and apply biblical truths, we grow closer to God and become more like Christ.
Pray: We believe in a living God who wishes to have personal and dynamic relationship with us. Prayer is our way of communicating with God.
Worship: Through worship we give God the recognition He deserves and we declare His goodness to others. It is through worship that we know God and make Him known.
Serve: We are instructed to, "do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with our God." (Micah 6:8) Every MOSAIC group seeks ways to serve others.
What can I expect from a MOSAIC group?
- Two of the best features of MOSAIC groups are brotherly love and the opportunity to pray for the needs of each other.
- Fruitfulness Through Unity: Psalm 133 says that unity is like the dew of Herman. Mount Herman provides water that feeds all of the land in Israel and from its hillsides spring of water forming streams that descendent of the Sea of Galilee. The streams are the source of water and life that make the land fruitful. Christian Fellowship also brings freshness and nutrition in our daily walk with God making us fruitful. This fruitfulness includes winning others to Christ. There is no more suitable place to do this than in a MOSAIC group.
- Edification: There are many areas in our Christian life where we cannot function properly apart from the fellowship with other believers. There are parts of the Bible that we do not understand. There are situations of daily life that we do not know how to face. The Christian life is not only individual but a corporate practice. The Holy Spirit gives the necessary spiritual gifts to build and maintain the entire body. There should be no doubts, disappointments, or spiritual needs that are not met, as we share our spiritual gifts and love and mutual service.
- Openness and friendship: It is costly to have a real relationship with someone because we must remove our protective mask. Many people find it difficult to be open with others because of the fear and pain, misunderstanding, and rejection. Although it seems that being open with someone makes us vulnerable, it actually makes us stronger. We all need this type of companionship. (addapted from The Master's Plan--Obed Jauregui)
Make the decision today to participate in a MOSAIC group. There you will find a trained mature leader prepared to help you. Others just like you have already discovered this and are waiting for you with open arms.
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