When
the Lord first blessed me with an opportunity to teach regularly at one
of Grace Church’s home Bible studies, I spent some time thinking and
praying about what I’d wanted to teach on as I began my time with that
wonderful group. Eventually, my heart was inclined to teach something on
fellowship, because a home Bible study is a place where life is lived
out together in community, a place where we can spur one another on to
love and good deeds (Heb 10:24-25), and to encourage one another as long as it is called “Today,” so that none will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Heb 3:12).
What comes into your mind when you hear the word “fellowship”?
Friends? Interesting and inspiring conversations? Sharing a meal, or
having a snack with someone? How about the time of a church service or
Bible study where the teaching is officially over and everyone gets to
just hang out?
As I prepared to teach on what the Bible had to say about fellowship, I looked up the instances of the word koinonia
in the New Testament. Interestingly, I found that the New Testament
usage seemed to have very little to do with what I thought about when I
heard the word “fellowship” used. It spoke about:
- Relationships between believers (Acts 2:42; 1 John 1:3, 7)
- Contributing and sharing resources (Romans 15:26; 2 Corinthians 8:4; 9:13; Heb 13:16)
- Fellowship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 1:9; 10:16; 1 John 1:3, 6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Philippians 2:1)
- Participation and Partnership (2 Corinthians 6:14; Galatians 2:9; Philippians 1:5, 6; 3:10) Continue at Mike Riccardi
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