Acts 2:42-47
Verse 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Not only did they devote themselves to the teaching of the apostles, these new believers were devoted to fellowship. Fellowship is something we enjoy as well, although we may not be understanding the practice as they did. We tend to think of fellowship as having a cup of coffee and cookie while talking over the weather or the recent happenings in life, but is that really all there is to fellowship?
If we are honest with ourselves there isn’t much in our style of fellowship to be devoted to. Do we have to put much effort into sipping a beverage and munching on a sweet treat? And we have to admit there isn’t much we have to do to relay info about the rain we all experience. The truth is we talk about the things we have in common and surface topics give us something to talk about which won’t reveal too much about ourselves and who we really are.
Fellowshipping while breaking bread is something some churches are still known for, but often they aren’t known for the deeper things of Christianity. It isn’t wrong to get together for a meal or to have an all-church potluck, but when we only have fun times the level of community faith wanes.
If the early Church had only had the shallow conversations heard in the average church building on a Sunday, there wouldn’t be much of a church today. With that said if we want there to be a Church of tomorrow we need to remember the commission Jesus gave about going into all the world and making disciples. If we want the Church to grow, we need to learn to fellowship in the biblical way.
So what does true Christian fellowship look like? How about instead of discussing the weather we have all experienced, we talk about the sermon we all just heard? For one it would ensure we are truly listening to the pastor. More than that it would also help us learn from each other as we share what we were convicted about. We will likely catch different things as the Holy Spirit reveals things He is working on in us but by sharing with each other we will be laying the groundwork for holding each other accountable. Yes, that may be scary sounding but it is all part of revival.
Making It Personal
What are the frequent topics of your fellowship conversations? Are they edifying conversations or more of the surface variety? What do you need to do to be ready for true fellowship?
Making It Personal Kids
What are some things you talk about with your friends at church? Do you ever talk with them about things you are learning about Jesus? How could you start a conversation about Jesus?
Closing Prayer
Father, we repent that our conversations with each other are not always words which help us grow spiritually. Teach us how to be vulnerable with each other so we can help the Church grow in maturity. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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