Acts 2:42, 46 (NIV)
You develop relationships through fellowship - spending time together in faith, purpose, and unity in Jesus Christ. And there’s only one way you’re going to build that kind of fellowship - and it’s through frequency.
If you’re already in a small group that meets regularly, that’s great! But if your group meets very infrequently, then you may not be allowing yourself the opportunity for meaningful fellowship. It works best when you commit to seeing each other at least once a week, when you schedule time to study the Bible together and encourage one another.
You need frequency in your fellowship.
Acts 2 describes the first church in Jerusalem this way: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer... 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, 46-47 NIV). One of my favorite tools of fellowship is food. I’m so glad the early church’s example included eating together!
Jesus didn’t do his ministry on earth alone. He shared life with his disciples. And almost every time Jesus taught and fellowshipped with the disciples, they were either walking or eating. Why? Because when people are walking or eating, they’re relaxed. Your walls are down, you’re not defensive, and you’re open to feedback and new ideas. That’s when the best communication and fellowship happen.
Jesus spent regular, intentional, focused time with his small group of disciples and enjoyed meals with them. The early church was “devoted” to being together and learning together and praying together. They found joy in spending time together around meals.
You’ll find that following their example of fellowship around food won’t just lead to amazing personal spiritual growth. It will show the world the joy we have in being part of God’s family—and they’ll want to join in too.
You develop relationships through fellowship - spending time together in faith, purpose, and unity in Jesus Christ. And there’s only one way you’re going to build that kind of fellowship - and it’s through frequency.
If you’re already in a small group that meets regularly, that’s great! But if your group meets very infrequently, then you may not be allowing yourself the opportunity for meaningful fellowship. It works best when you commit to seeing each other at least once a week, when you schedule time to study the Bible together and encourage one another.
You need frequency in your fellowship.
Acts 2 describes the first church in Jerusalem this way: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer... 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, 46-47 NIV). One of my favorite tools of fellowship is food. I’m so glad the early church’s example included eating together!
Jesus didn’t do his ministry on earth alone. He shared life with his disciples. And almost every time Jesus taught and fellowshipped with the disciples, they were either walking or eating. Why? Because when people are walking or eating, they’re relaxed. Your walls are down, you’re not defensive, and you’re open to feedback and new ideas. That’s when the best communication and fellowship happen.
Jesus spent regular, intentional, focused time with his small group of disciples and enjoyed meals with them. The early church was “devoted” to being together and learning together and praying together. They found joy in spending time together around meals.
You’ll find that following their example of fellowship around food won’t just lead to amazing personal spiritual growth. It will show the world the joy we have in being part of God’s family—and they’ll want to join in too.
Talk It Over
What are some ways you can take the stress out of sharing a meal with your small group?
How can you use food to fellowship with people outside of the church and show them biblical hospitality?
Do you treat time with people in your church and God’s family like you would any other event that you schedule and commit to? Why or why not?
- by Pastor Rick
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Prayer: by Natisha Anderson
Father,
We come before You with hearts overflowing with gratitude for the gift of knowing and being known deeply by others. In those moments when we ask, "How did you know that?" and hear the response, "Because I know you," we glimpse the beauty of genuine connection and intimacy.
Thank You for creating us with the capacity to understand and appreciate each other on a profound level. Help us to cherish these moments of recognition and understanding, for they reflect the love and care You have instilled within us for one another.
Guide us, Lord, to nurture and cultivate such meaningful relationships in our lives. Grant us the wisdom to listen attentively, to observe with compassion, and to respond with kindness. May we continue to grow in our understanding of each other, deepening our bonds through mutual respect and empathy. Bless these moments of knowing and being known, Father, as they strengthen our connections and bring us closer to You. May we always seek to honor and uplift [You and] one another, just as You have loved and cherished us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Thank You for creating us with the capacity to understand and appreciate each other on a profound level. Help us to cherish these moments of recognition and understanding, for they reflect the love and care You have instilled within us for one another.
Guide us, Lord, to nurture and cultivate such meaningful relationships in our lives. Grant us the wisdom to listen attentively, to observe with compassion, and to respond with kindness. May we continue to grow in our understanding of each other, deepening our bonds through mutual respect and empathy. Bless these moments of knowing and being known, Father, as they strengthen our connections and bring us closer to You. May we always seek to honor and uplift [You and] one another, just as You have loved and cherished us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
