SEMESTER 3
333 – Socializing in the Church
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: ECCLESIOLOGY III LESSON # 33
SOCIALIZING IN THE CHURCH
Read I Cor. 11:17-34
. Note particularly verse 22.
INTRODUCTION:
1. The subject is social activity within the church family.
2. Variation of conviction here has a very wide range.
i. One extreme is a group of strangers except on Sunday.
ii. The other, a group who have no bond but a social one.
III: When some Christians say “fellowship,” they mean nothing more than socializing.
3. This lesson is not specifically on fellowship, it is rather on socializing.
I. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FELLOWSHIP AND SOCIALIZING
1. The true meaning of fellowship is union around, because of, and in pursuit and/or maintenance of certain Christian principles.
2. This may, or may not, in fact, involve a great deal of social involvement.
3. Socializing has to do with time spent together in, or in pursuit of, social activity.
4. This may, or may not, in fact, involve Christian fellowship.
III: A group of people, as for instance, a family may eat lunch together every week and never fellowship.
II. SOCIAL ACTIVITY AS SUCH IS NOT WRONG
1. In our Scripture reading, (I Cor. 11:17) Paul says their coming together was not for better, but for worse.
2. It was not their “coming together” that was detrimental, but the subsequent conduct.
3. Paul, I feel, did not forbid their “love feasts,” but forbade the integration of the Lord’s Table into them and vice versa.
4. Even though the social activity is not condemned, the criticism of actions sets a format of some sort.
III. WHAT WOULD BE WRONG IN THIS SOCIALIZING?
1. Dividing the body of Christ (Local Church) on the basis of economic differences. (I Cor. 11:18)
2. Profaning the spiritual, by making it subsequent to the lesser cause. (I Cor. 11:20)
3. Drawing attention to one’s affluence and another’s poverty. (I Cor. 11:21-22)
4. Encouraging a careless pursuit, or exercise, of spiritual duties or activities. (I Cor. 11:27-30)
IV. WHY SOCIALIZING IS PROPER AND BENEFICIAL
1. God has created us social beings, we need association with others.
2. Evil communications corrupt good manners and vice versa, thus this association should be with Christian people.
3. Socializing, on a proper plane, promotes love and understanding among Christians.
4. It permits individuals and families in the body of Christ to become acquainted with each other.
5. This promotes seeking and offering mutual prayer in our sickness and weakness.
6. This allows those who are without to observe our love one for another. (Jn. 13:34-35)
V. DANGERS TO BE AVOIDED IN SOCIALIZING
1. Do not let the basis of it be secular or economic, but rather be sure it is Christian interest.
2. Do not think of it as, or substitute if for, worship or evangelism.
3. Be careful that it does not become cliquish or exclusive.
4. Beware of personal unions becoming too close, that are inordinate or over familiar.
5. Beware of social interests becoming a substitute for, or competitive with, spiritual interests.
III: “It does not seem to me that we have enough activity,” spoken by one who attends only a small part of the spiritual functions.
6. Beware of becoming critical, or discriminatory, of those who do not socialize on your plane, or to your taste.