SERMON SUMMARY

We are called by God into “the fellowship of the Son” (1 Corinthians 1:9). The Greek word “fellowship” carries a double meaning, like two sides of a coin. First, “fellowship” refers to living out our faith in community. We belong to God and to one another. We are called together and given gifts to use to build one another up in Christ. The flip side of that coin, the second idea involved in “fellowship,” is partnership. We have been set apart by God and for God, called together and gifted by God, to partner with God in His work in the world. Because we are “the fellowship of His Son,” we are also in partnership with the Son. So, what exactly does that mean? How do we live out partnering with God in His work in the world?

SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

SERMON SCREENSHOTS & KEY POINTS

Partnering with God involves looking for where God is working so we can join Him there.

Partnership Lesson #1: When you partner with God, it’s not uncommon for Him to show you what He wants you to do before He shows you how He wants you to do it.

Partnership Lesson #2: When you partner with God, it’s not uncommon for things to not work out the way you expected.

Partnership Lesson #3: When you partner with God, He often works in ways you cannot imagine to show you that it really is His work, not yours.

Partnership Lesson #4: When you partner with God, it may take longer than you think to see His plans and purposes come to pass.

Partnership lesson #5: When God shows you what He’s doing, the right response is, “Okay God, how can we join You in Your work?”

We’re asking you to partner with us in prayer for what God wants us to do to create more space so more people can enjoy and benefit from what you experience here on Sundays and throughout the week.

*We are a church located in Greenville, South Carolina. Our vision is to see God transform us into a community of grace passionately pursuing life and mission with Jesus.

COMMUNITY GROUP QUESTIONS 

Begin by having someone read 1 Corinthians 1:1-9. Then ask…

• “What new insights (‘aha’ moments)—did you have as you listened to Charlie explain these first 9 verses of 1 Corinthians?”
  • As people answer, don’t do a “bump-and-run.” Don’t say, “Okay, who else?”
  • Instead, ask follow-up questions like: “That’s good—what was made that an “aha” for you? ”Who else thought about that?”
  • “What difference would it make in our lives today if we took that idea/insight more seriously?”
• Ask: “How do the ideas of ‘fellowship’ and ‘partnership’ tie together in Paul’s mind?” How does our being “set apart” and “called” together by God connect with our being partners together with God in the ongoing mission of Jesus in the world?”
• Think of a time when you were in a church or a ministry, and you felt you were partnering with God in a work that was much bigger than you and your life? Talk about that. Again, ask follow-up questions—ask others for input —on each story that’s shared.
• Go around and have different people read one each of the “Partnership Lessons” above.
• Then ask: “Which of these lessons sets forth something you had not thought about before?”
• Then ask: “Who has a story or example of how one or more of these partnership lessons played out in something God called you or your church to be involved in?”
• What else?

At the close of your time together, spend an extended amount of time praying for what Charlie and the elders have asked us to pray about. “Heavenly Father, is this what you want for Fellowship Greenville? Is this the way You want us to create more space for more people to be cared for and discipled here at FG? Pray for your leaders as they seek to discern God’s will in all these things. Pray for your heart to be open to partnering with God in whatever He shows us in the days ahead. What else do you need to pray for regarding these things?