Lesson 36: Interaction with Other Believers

“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another” Romans 12:4-5.

Every person who has received Jesus as their Savior is now a part of His body, His Church; and He calls us (the Church) His bride (Ephesians 5:25). There are many pictures of this throughout the Bible, but the purpose of this study is how WE fit into this body, how WE each individually find our part of the body.

We all know that a body has many different parts, and each has its own purpose. The foot is needed for us to be able to walk. The ankle is needed for the foot to be able to walk evenly over changing levels of ground. The knee is needed to be able to pull the foot up to step up or allow the other foot to step down. We could go on and on. Each part of the body is necessary for the whole body to work correctly and efficiently.

What are the purposes for each person in the body? These purposes are called “spiritual gifts” in the Bible. We can see lists of them in several major places: Romans 12:4-8, 1 Corinthians 12:8-11, and Ephesians 4:11-16. There are a few other gifts listed in the Bible, but these are the major gifts – the major purposes for each person in the body of Christ. Just as the Bible says in the 1 Corinthians 12 verses, not everyone in a church can be the same thing. For example, since one person can teach well, others might think that to be a good Christian they must also be able to teach.


This is not true. Just as one body requires only one nose but ten fingers, so the number of believers needed to accomplish the tasks for any given local church will be different according to the needs of that church. A very large church might need several pastors, while a small church only needs one. A small church with many older people might need more individuals to help those with rides to doctors or shopping, while a large church of mostly young people would need more activity directors.

How do we interact with other believers in their different roles? We encourage each other every way we possibly can. When the pastor teaches, we listen, read along with him as he reads scripture, and show him we are paying attention. When someone serves food, we tell them how much we appreciate it. When someone cleans the church, we thank them. When someone says they will be going out visiting different people, we either offer to go with them if we can or promise we will pray for them (and then do so). If someone tells us they have been praying for us, we share with them how God has been working in our lives. If someone is sad, we do what we can to cheer them up. We work together in unity.

How do you know what your spiritual gift is? Try working in different places in the church where help is needed – find the place that gives you the most satisfaction to work there.

Memorize Romans 12:1-2 –
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”