“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.” Acts 2:46-47 (NIV) When J.R. and I married, there were no cell phones, no texting or emailing. Communication occurred via a land line, handwritten letter or—drum roll please—speaking in person. Nowadays, it’s rare to have a phone conversation; most people text and avoid verbal communication altogether. However, I think back to those first years of marriage. We had a “young marrieds” group at church that gathered in a home each month to eat, play games and have Bible study. Several of those couples are still close friends because of the bond we developed during those fellowships. As technology has boomed with cell phones, the Internet and video games, gatherings like the ones we had back then started dissipating and our chances to grow real friendships became lost in today’s technological world. Our family went several years where we were so busy that we didn’t believe we had time for additional fellowship beyond scheduled church services. Ballgames, work commitments and deadlines took precedence over bonding with our Christian brothers and sisters. But this past year we started having a “life group” meeting weekly in our home or our gym. The small group discusses the Bible, but we also discuss what is happening in our lives and how we can support each other and pray for each other as we journey through life’s struggles together. I look forward to our life group meeting every week now and can’t believe I went so many years without this special fellowship. Those early Christians ate together and praised God together. Christ wants us to edify each other, lift each other up and grow closer (see I Cor. 14:3). Truly caring for one another involves more than being social network friends. It involves fellowship…and love. Faith Step: Invite a family to your home for lunch after Sunday worship. Open your home, open your heart. Author Renee Andrews
Posted on: Sat, 07 Jun 2014 13:21:14 +0000
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