The Spiritual Discipline of Fellowship

What is Fellowship, and Why Do It?

Fellowship is more than just “hanging out” with your friends. Why else would the early disciples devote themselves to it?

Acts 2:42 NIV

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Fellowship is connected to Jesus’ deepest desires for us, his followers:

John 17:21 NIV

21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

John 17:20–21 NIV

20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

How could any group of people possibly be one, if they didn’t fellowship with each other?

Fellowship doesn’t “just happen” either—it is a genuine discipline. The authour of Hebrews highlights this for us:

Hebrews 10:24–25 NIV

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 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.

Brandon Hlgemann, in his article “12 Spiritual Disciplines That Will Make Your Faith Strong” on churchleaders.com says it well:

“Together the embers of a fire glow red-hot. But scattered, they soon grow cold. That is why the discipline of fellowship is so important.”

How Do We Fellowship Now?

How Do We Fellowship Now?

Phones Still Work

Pick a few families in the church and/or community whom you commit to calling on a weekly basis to check on how they’re doing and if they need anything.

Online Tools...

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Snapchat

TikTok

Athens CRC’s website

Faithlife Group

Email Prayer Chain

Text Messaging

Xenia Fellowship Online via Zoom

Physical Presence is Still Possible...

Arrange to wave and hold signs outside someone’s house

Deliver groceries if you’re not needing to be in quarantine.

Use sidewalk chalk to write encouraging messages on the street/sidewalks in front of your neighbours homes.

Set up a bird-feeder station outside the house of an elderly neighbour or shut-in

Spend some time doing spring cleanup for the neighbourhood.

Partner with CPHC or some other local organization delivering meals and/or other help for the elderly and/or quarantined.

Play games via video conferencing software (charades, Bingo, trivia, chess…etc).

What can you think of doing to connect with the people of our congregation, and the people of our broader community?