Page 61 - Ecclesiology revised short_Neat

2. One purpose of fellowship is to edify and encourage one another. Believers face the same
troubles and trials as everyone else. Life can bring all kinds of discouraging ordeals to anyone. When
we get together for fellowship, one of the purposes is that we edify or “build-up” one another in faith. It
is appropriate to share Scripture that may encourage another person in his trial. Also, praying together
about the trial may be a real encouragement. And then, perhaps one believer can meet a personal and
tangible need that is present in another’s life. So, when you plan a fellowship time at church, plan on
how the group can edify or encourage one another.

3. Through fellowship, we can learn from one another. You may gather with another person who
has experienced your trial in the past, and successfully walked through it. Perhaps his advice on how to
handle the difficulty may be of great value to you. Or perhaps you have learned something to offer to
another person to help them in a situation. The Bible speaks of iron sharpening iron (Prov. 27:17).
Perhaps God can use you to teach another person something that will be of great benefit to them.

4. We can encourage others in their walk with Christ. Fellowship is a time to gather together and
perhaps place yourself in an accountability position under another. Discipleship groups often challenge
one another in their Bible reading or prayer time. Members of the group place themselves under the
watchful eyes of a fellow believer to hold them accountable to accomplish a spiritual goal in their lives.
The saying, “People often don’t do what is expected, but they will do what is inspected” brings
motivation to a person who must answer to another when there is a spiritual goal to achieve.

5. Fellowship brings together spiritual unity. Christ told his disciples that if two or three of them
gathered together “in His name” that He would be there in their midst. What he meant was that union
with Christ was promised when the gathering of believers is to exalt the Lord. Fellowship can lead to
true worship of Jesus Christ as we remind one another of the mighty things God has done for us.

6. Fellowship gives us tangible opportunities to meet one another’s needs. How can you know
what another person’s special needs are unless to communicate with them? Fellowship is a time when
you ask each other what needs exist. Perhaps a believer is having a baby. Maybe after returning from
the hospital, meals can be planned for a few days to meet those needs. Perhaps a tree fell down in your
yard. Another believer may have a chain saw that you can either borrow, or you could get together to
clean up the mess. Through a time of fellowship, we learn about the needs of others and God will give
you opportunities to meet those needs. As Galatians 6:4 says, we need to bear one another’s burdens.
The Law of Christ is that we love one another as Christ loved us. Agape love is a self-sacrificial service of
one person to another. Through fellowship, we can express love by serving one another.

Planning a Church Fellowship

In the introduction of this lesson, we found out about a Sunday school group that gathered for a dinner
once a quarter for “fellowship.” There may have been some sharing between members at the table, but
those overseeing the fellowship concentrated on preparing a meal, but little attention was given to
creating a true fellowship time. If fellowship occurred, it was totally accidental.

As we learned earlier, true fellowship is a partnership between believers. And it should accomplish any
one or more of the purposes listed above. These goals must be planned into the fellowship time.
Otherwise, your church meeting is nothing more than a social gathering to enjoy oneself. Here are
some tips to help you plan a church fellowship event.

59