Thursday 13 September, 2012

Pick one element of biblical community and practice it today.

 

Fellowship

Read: Hebrews 10:19-25, Colossians 3:12-17

 

To dwell above with saints we love,

That will be grace and glory.

To live below with saints we know;

That’s another story.

 

There is a lot of truth in that little verse. We have lofty ideals about what fellowship in the church should look like but when it comes down to it, when we have to deal with other people who have real lives, reals struggles and real problems just like us, it’s hard.

 

But fellowship is not an optional element of the life of the church. We can’t just choose to avoid other believers or slip out the back straight after church every week, dodging those looking to start a conversation, by doing so we actually rob ourselves and others of something truly significant.

 

Both of today’s passages shed light on what fellowship in the body of Christ should be like. In Hebrews we see that we should spur each other on towards love and good deeds and encouraging each other. In Colossians we see how we are to bear with each other, forgive each other and be unified in love. What other elements of fellowship can you observe in these passages? Write them down in the margin if you have room.

 

Over the past few weeks we have been looking at various images used of the church such as the body of Christ, the Building of God and the Kingdom of God. Many of these images bring particular attention to the way that we rely on each other as members of the church. In order to achieve this sort of fellowship requires the whole church to be involved and actively seeking, by the Holy Spirit to build this sort of community.

 

Look back over the list of elements of community you have noted. As you go about your day think about how you can seek to build this sort of fellowship. Pick one and actively practice it today with another believer.

 

Prayer:

Spend a few moments in adoration, confession and thanksgiving before praying these and other prayer points. Write down what you pray.

 

Adoration:

 

Confession:

 

Thanks:

 

Supplication:

¨ Pray that the Holy Spirit would illuminate how you can practice meaningful Christian fellowship this week with other believers. Pray by name for each of those who you normally fellowship with that they would be encouraged in their faith as they gather with other believers.

¨ Pray that this week as the church gathers together on Sonday that the church would be built up and encouraged by the fellowship. Pray that people would be stirred to stay for coffee after the service and share meaningful conversation about God’s work in their lives.