Fellowshipping with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ is something we cannot take for granted. It is something we should not only be comfortable doing in church or at church events. It is something we must develop outside of the church doors as well.
For those who have been around my blog for a while, you are familiar that I sometimes write posts on church. There are A LOT more than two (see explanation for full list), but here are some.
Can I Not Go To Church Without Upsetting God – Latest post
Why I Have Some Posts Warning Against Church– Explanation
Many times when people misunderstand my posts I am quoted this scripture.
(NIV) Hebrews 10:25, “Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
So today, I want to take this scripture further and outside the doors of church.
I want to make it clear, I believe this scripture absolutely refers to gathering in a church building, but it certainly SHOULD NEVER BE THE ONLY TIME WE GATHER TOGETHER!
It is hard to communicate with every single individual and have a thriving friendship with every individual in a church setting.
Which leads me to ask…
Are we forsaking meeting together?
In order to understand this question I have to know, what does it really mean to “meet together”?
Meet – to come into proximity of someone within chance or arrangement.
Since we are talking about the body of Christ, His Church, this is far beyond being in a physical location, I think we can agree on that. Hebrews 10:24 says this before it says we are to gather together.
(NIV) Hebrews 10:24, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”
It is so easy for us to be physically together, packed in like sardines, but not spiritually united and available to each other. We sometimes leave that part only to the pastor.
The Church Body God Gave Me
I get criticized and have assumptions made about me for not having a church body regarding a physical church I attend. With how easy these posts get misunderstood, I want to share this.
While I currently do not have a physical church building I attend, I do now have a group of young women, my peers, who I seek and talk to on a daily basis. Yes, we are scattered across the world. Yes, for those who have pointed out, you are absolutely correct, there are things they cannot do for me if I needed physical help (like moving). Aside from that, I am blessed in every other way possible as if they were local.
I Skype weekly with one of my fellow sisters. Bible Study is Wednesday, covering Matthew and Galations, soon introducing Daniel. We are going through reading The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. This next Bible Study we will begin to read Humility by Andrew Murray. The three of us we all read books together. Currently, the group is studying A.W. Tozer’s Pursuit of God discussing a chapter throughout the week, occasionally we all Skype as a group.
We all pray for each other. We keep each other accountable, even when it hurts. We repent of sins and confess them to each other as scripture encourages.
(NIV) James 5:16, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
We praise the Lord Jesus and share what He is at work doing.
Desire More
I’m sharing this because I want to urge you with godly jealousy to draw closer to your Church body. To desire deepness. To desire accountability. To desire praying with two or more.
We need to be surrounded by peers who worship our King. If possible, it is important to try to find elders for those who are young, as we are encouraged in scripture to do. (Titus 2:01-07)
This is beyond being in service for a sermon. Our pastors cannot provide everything for us. That’s not their job for us to grow in Christ with others. For us to have deep connections with others, we must be willing to open up our mouths, get to know people, and shine the light of Christ.
God had me reach out to a fellow blogger, not the whole community, one person. He put on my heart I needed to pray for peers last year, sisters in Christ. I had to be willing to be rejected. Not all friendships work with every person. This is true, even of the blogging world. However, this sister in Christ and I connected on a deep level, and God blossomed that through Bible Study and another fellow sister in Christ as well.
There is a woman who is around my mom’s age at our home church, and in the past few years I’ve been reaching out to her and talking to her. God provided that opportunity for our friendship. God provided opportunities for the three of us, her, me, and my mom to get together when I’m visiting home. Prayer. Fellowship. Yes, sometimes in church too.
When He GIVES YOU AN OPPORTUNITY to gather with others on deep levels do not forsake it. God will show you where He wants you to go. But we must be willing!
Take nothing for granted! Especially if you have a church you go to! Develop sisterhoods or brotherhoods in Christ Jesus. Gather together, break bread, pray out loud for each other.
Here is what gathering together means, (NIV) Acts 2:42, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
Again, this definitely happens in a church. But make sure it happens outside of it too.
If you were like me and didn’t have these kinds of relationships, do not lose heart! It took about two years for me to find this kind of church body after I left Little Rock. But remember to keep praying and seeking the Lord on this. If people misunderstand your situation, like mine, pray that it does NOT make you bitter. Pray for understanding for those who misunderstand! It is not easy, but Christ didn’t say it would be.
His timing is always right, and one day you will look back and see why ❤
Comment Below:
What is fellowship to you?
Monthly Scripture – (NLT) 1 Timothy 1:19, “Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their conscience and as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.”
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Great message! The Lord brought this passage to mind..
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith….Galatians 6:9-10
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Good scripture to share. I’m glad you enjoyed this post. God be with you.
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I’m thankful you have sisters in Christ to do Bible Study with through skype. That’s such a blessing! I recently started studying the psalms using the Treasury of David with another home-bound fellow blogger, who is now a close friend. It’s been such an answer to prayer to find someone willing to study the word of God with and who makes the time. We actually voice clip through fb messenger which works really well for us. God bless you dearest TR!🤗💚❤
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That’s so wonderful! I’m glad you also have a dear friend you can fellowship with!! God is so good and He provides for us! ❤ 🙂 I'm thankful He has provided for you.
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Love this!!!
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Amen brother, thank you. ☺🙏
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I get more and more excited when I see what God is doing “beyond the walls!”
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😄😄 It’s amazing to witness His majesty and power in our lives!
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Yes, iWITNESS!
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This post causes me to contemplate whether a meeting outside of church with confession, study, prayer, etc. is really a more authentic example of Christian community than some get in the church! I’m glad that I attend a small church because I think our connections with each other are strong. This post makes me think of the founder of Methodism, John Wesley. He put a huge emphasis on small groups that gathered to confess, study, and pray. Small groups are so vital in the church in my opinion–a Bible study group, a Sunday School class, etc. that spurs each other to growing in faith and knowledge and love.
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Small groups definitely allow us to grow. An intimate group of one or two others we can deeply confide to is important as well in addition to a small group of 4 or more. There are somethings we may only be comfortable confiding in one sister of Christ.
I think small groups in church are definitely important especially for discussion. 🙂
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Accountability and community is an amazing help for Christians seeking growth and maturity in their lives. It can be uncomfortable and humbling, but it’s totally effective. Accountability is life changing. Great topic!
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So important. There is power in numbers. Even two. Accountability is definitely life changing for sure.
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Yes. Totally changed my life.
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I love small groups in church and I am glad and blessed to attend a church that encouraged small groups. I literally just got in from youth bible study and we also have house fellowships biweekly. My friends and I also have meetings although not frequently when we pray and study the world. All of these enhances transparency and accountability needed for growth. Great topic indeed sis. And you did a justice to it.
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So many blessings you are surrounded by and I’m so thankful you are ❤ I'm glad there is fellowship in the home and elsewhere 🙂 that's beautiful.
Thank you so much! 🙂 I was hoping this topic would encourage others.
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You are doing some great things to have fellowship outside worship services. When my wife and I found ourselves in transition again, we returned to the church we attended prior to church planting. We were welcomed right back home. They only have one weekly service, so we decided to pursue some additional opportunities at a church near our home in the evenings. We are now a part of our pastor’s connection group on Tuesday nights. This has been extremely enriching.
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What blessed fellowship you both have found and as a shepherd you need that fellowship and ministery as well for your spirit! God is good!!
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Thank you! I really enjoyed your insights and the topic.
When we look back at the beginnings of Christianity, the first believers didn’t meet in church buildings – there weren’t any. They met in homes. In the scripture you used, Hebrews 10:25, the idea is meeting together to worship and receive/give instruction. This scripture doesn’t use the word ‘church’. We, the Body of Christ, are the church, so wherever we meet, it’s church.😊
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Exactly 🙂 !!
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Amen-Amein Sister in Christ-Messiah Jesus-Yeshua!!
Our ONE True GOD’S LOVE 💕💜 is ETERNAL THROUGH HIS SON Christ-MESSIAH Jesus-Yeshua for Today and Everyday Forevermore Everyone!!
I Love you all Everyone through Jesus-Yeshua Christ, because HE LOVED EVERYONE FIRST!! 💕 Praise Jesus-Yeshua Christ-Messiah for Today and Everyday!!
Love 💕 Always and Shalom ( Peace ), YSIC \o/
Kristi Ann
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God be with you!
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