1.0 OBSTACLES THAT HINDER FELLOWSHIP

There are several reasons why people sometimes fail to fellowship with others. Failure to fellowship leads to loneliness, sadness, low self-esteem among other consequences.

God wants everyone to be happy.


Fig 1.7 Lonely girl

1. Lack of acceptance of other people and yourself.

• Individuals need to study and understand the way others behave. This helps everyone to make a wise decision and give proper attitudes towards the people around us.
• There are people who are short tempered, therefore they easily get angry. Such people need those around them to be sensitive in what they say so that they are not easily provoked to anger.

Jesus accepted people as they are in the bible. He went to eat at the house of Zacchaeus when he knew that the man was cheating people in collecting tax. However Jesus went there to encourage the man to stop cheating and repent.

2. Unfair treatment.

• Everyone needs to be treated justly and fairly so that they feel part of the group or friendship.
• Jesus always treated his disciples fairly and they all learnt to love and appreciate one another.

Fig 1.8 A boy being bullied

• Unfair treatment like bullying makes others fear to fellowship with people.
• The bible teaches us to love one another and treat others fairly.

4. Fear of change.

• Sometimes people do not fellowship because they do not allow themselves to have new company or new friends.
• Everyone needs to give new people they meet a chance to know them better and establish friendship with new people.

5. Challenges and suffering.

• During the times of suffering and challenges people tend to think no one wants to talk to them.
• In the family, when people have challenges they sometimes get angry.
• God expects people to fellowship even in times of suffering and when they face serious challenges and pressures of life.
• Jesus fellowshipped with disciples even when he was faced with death. He ate, drank and enjoyed with other people. Jesus also had to fellowship in the Lord's Supper which became the last meal that he had with his disciples. (Luke 22)

Fig 1.10 Jesus fellowshipping at the table before being arrested

Likewise, families also need to enjoy meals and moments together just like Jesus. Fellowshipping helps people to connect even when they are faced with a lot of problems.

The bible also encourages people to continue in fellowship.

1.1 How to enhance fellowship in life

1. Being open to others and new experiences.
2. Have courage.
3. Fair treatment.
4. Being considerate.
5. Take part in group activities.
6. Love one another.

1.2 Jesus anointed a sinful woman. (Luke 7:36-50)

One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and took his place at the table. And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "If this man was a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—that she is a sinner." Jesus spoke up and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." "Teacher," he replied, "speaks." "A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?" Simon answered, "I suppose the one for whom he cancelled the greater debt." And Jesus said to him, "You have judged rightly." Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little." Then he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

• Jesus in this incident demonstrated God's love for everyone, even the sinners.
• God expects everyone to love and be loved.
• Even though Jesus was accused of associating with sinners he knew that he was showing love and concern even for the sinners.
• Jesus also showed how humble he was by allowing the sinful woman to wash his feet.

The human body has many different parts but all the body parts are important and they need each other and they make one full body. People may have different names, parents, homes and schools but in Christ they are one. Together they make the body of Christ, who is the head of the church.

Let us say this prayer together:


Fig 1.11 A prayer