This is a comprehensive breakdown of the Hazak Fellowship model, drawing from the provided text and supporting its core tenets with biblical scripture.
I. The Foundation: The Church as a Spiritual Building
The central metaphor of the Hazak Fellowship is that of a spiritual building, with each Christian as a vital stone and Jesus Christ as the essential cornerstone. This idea is explicitly supported by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:19-22 (NIV):
“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”
This scripture highlights several key points:
- Jesus is the Cornerstone: The very foundation of the church rests upon Christ. Without Him, the structure is impossible. He sets the alignment and direction for everything else.
- Individual Believers are Stones: Each person who has a relationship with Jesus is a living stone, a part of the greater temple. Their individual faith and obedience contribute to the integrity of the whole.
- The Church is a Temple for God’s Spirit: The ultimate purpose of this spiritual building is to be a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. This is not a physical building, but a community of believers.
The provided text also references the parable of the wise and foolish builders in Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV):
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
This parable directly supports the Hazak Fellowship’s concern that if the church does not build its foundation on the correct principles—which are the teachings of Jesus and living them out—it will inevitably fail. The “worldly methods” mentioned in the text are the equivalent of “building on the sand,” as they lack the spiritual substance to withstand the inevitable pressures and challenges.
II. The Blueprint: Living Out the Teachings of Jesus
Hazak Fellowship puts a strong emphasis on practical, daily obedience to the teachings of Jesus. It is not enough to simply have knowledge; the knowledge must be lived out. This is a recurring theme in scripture.
- The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7): The text specifically mentions this as a core part of becoming a member. This sermon is a radical call to live a life counter to worldly values. It teaches about meekness, mercy, purity of heart, peacemaking, and loving one’s enemies. Matthew 5:16 (NIV) states:
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
This verse directly ties into the model’s goal of “shining their light so others can see God’s grace and love thru them.” The light is not a spectacle, but the natural result of good works done in private, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:1-4. The Hazak model suggests that a community living out these principles will naturally attract attention and cause others to ask about their hope.
- The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23): The model also highlights the importance of the Fruit of the Spirit. Paul lists these as “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” The text emphasizes that a team is only as strong as its weakest link, implying that each member must actively cultivate these fruits. The strength of the community is dependent on the spiritual maturity of its members.
III. The Structure: Small Groups and Relational Unity
Hazak Fellowship is a return to a more primitive, communal model of the church. This is directly inspired by the early church described in the book of Acts.
- Acts 2:42-47 (NIV): This passage is the key inspiration for Hazak Fellowship’s structure and function.
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
This scripture paints a picture of a community in “one accord,” where fellowship, sharing of resources, and mutual care were central. Hazak Fellowship’s “Fire Teams” and “HFGs” are a modern attempt to replicate this model of intimate, supportive, and daily-connected small groups. The text’s reference to 2 Corinthians 8:15 also supports this idea of shared resources, stating “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”
IV. The Method: Being a Vessel, Not a Spectacle
The Hazak Fellowship model is not about making a show. It is about quiet, consistent obedience and being a conduit for God’s work.
- The Role of the Believer as a Vessel: The text mentions Galatians 2:20 (NIV):
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
This verse illustrates the ultimate goal: the believer becomes a vessel through which Christ lives and works. The power to convict of sin or draw people to God is not the believer’s, but the Holy Spirit’s. As John 6:44 (NIV) says, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them…” The Hazak member’s role is simply to be a clean, ready vessel.
- Mind Your Own Business and Be Ready to Answer: The text advises against arguing with people and instead focuses on letting one’s light shine. This is supported by 1 Peter 3:15-16 (NIV):
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”
This scripture perfectly outlines the Hazak approach: live a life of hope, and when people notice and ask, be ready to share the reason. The gentle and respectful manner is key, reinforcing the idea that arguments are ineffective. The transformative power is in the changed life, not the debate.
In summary, a Hazak Fellowship member is challenged to:
- Build their life on Jesus by daily living out the principles of the Sermon on the Mount and cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit.
- Actively engage in a small, intimate community that practices genuine fellowship, mutual support, and sharing of resources, mirroring the early church in Acts.
- Be a humble vessel for God’s work, allowing the Holy Spirit to draw and convict, rather than attempting to force a change in others.
- Let their life be a testimony, demonstrating God’s grace and love through actions, so that they are prepared to give a gentle and respectful answer to anyone who asks about the hope they have.