They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 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 2:42-47)
Sometimes fellowship might be treated like a second class citizen to Disciplines such as prayer, and worship. Today we will focus on how important the Discipline of Fellowship is in advancing the kingdom of God. The passage captured above provides some insights into the early church as captured in the book of Acts. Please prayerfully read the passage and answer the questions below.
Today’s questions for comments:
- The practice of fellowship (along with some other Disciplines) produces some important outcomes. Which ones do you identify in the passage?
- Can you recall any other passages that point to the importance of Fellowship in advancing God’s kingdom?
March 18, 2015 at 5:47 am
Fellowship is about sharing. Sharing food, possessions, time together and most importantly the love of God. An outcome of fellowship is the strengthening of ones Christian journey by praying and worshipping with other Christians, as well as encourage others
March 18, 2015 at 7:25 am
Again, their ‘Spiritual oneness’ as manifest in their unity in everything they did, in their selflessness, their focus, their love, their devotion, their co-labour, their joy, their witness, and naturally, their impact for the Kingdom. They were madly in love with Him(!), their ‘first love’, the opposite of what the church of Ephesus was criticised for in Revelation 2:4-5 NIV
[4] Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. [5] Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.
Their lamp (in Acts 2) was shining as brightly as it could!
Other passages? – I can think of none that compare. The Acts 2 church is just so very convicting in its depiction of our calling. Oh that we might continually seek to approach it in this lifetime.
March 18, 2015 at 8:24 pm
Worship, Fellowship and Prayer combined resulted in positive outcomes.
Another passage that encourages fellowship is Heb 10:25 “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together”.
March 18, 2015 at 8:34 pm
Teaching and growing in knowledge of the Word
Growing in love for God and others
Strengthening of faith
Community
Manifestation of the power of the Holy Spirit
Works of Charity and Goodness
Selflessness
Commitment
Unity
Oneness
Hospitality
Praise and Worship
Witness to non believers of brotherly love
Bring glory to God
Other passages that point to the importance of fellowship: John 17:23 & 1 John 1:3
March 18, 2015 at 9:51 pm
The practice of fellowship (along with some other Disciplines) produces some important outcomes. Which ones do you identify in the passage?
Generosity, selflessness, accord, spiritual growth, joy, God’s blessing, healing.
Can you recall any other passages that point to the importance of Fellowship in advancing God’s kingdom?
I think of Adam in the garden. God wanted to share who He was with Adam. They walked together in the cool of the day. What sweet fellowship that must have been.
March 19, 2015 at 12:09 am
◾The practice of fellowship (along with some other Disciplines) produces some important outcomes. Which ones do you identify in the passage?
– Things were happening that could only have been attributed to God
– Everyone’s needs was being met.
– They enjoyed being in each other’s company worshipping God
– There lived in peace even with unbelievers
– Many people were coming to faith in Christ Jesus.
◾Can you recall any other passages that point to the importance of Fellowship in advancing God’s kingdom?
Ephesians 4:1-16; John 13:34-35; 1 John 3:16-23;1 John 4:7-11