Posted by Wendi on August 29, 2009, 10:18 am
Greetings fellow students... it is Sabbath once again, and I would like to address the issue of fellowship. Steven has posted studies here for quite some time each Sabbath, and I have done likewise in recent weeks, and the counters reveal that several people read these threads regularly.
However, there seems to be something missing. There is precious little participation in these discussions, aside from the occasional (much appreciated) encouraging comment. While it's nice to know that folks appreciate the studies, the purpose isn't to get accolades or approval.
You see, the purpose of these Sabbath studies is fellowship - a regular coming together of believers, even here in this virtual study room, from hundreds or thousands of miles apart. I was reminded this morning at daybreak that I am surrounded by a world that does not share my beliefs, as construction crews resumed their work on the house next door to mine. I know that many of you are in similar situations - a single believer in a community that does not share or even understand your faith.
Yet, we are told over and over in Scripture to fellowship with other believers. Psalms 133:1 says it is good for brethren to dwell together in unity. 1 John 1:7 tells us that if we are in the light we will have fellowship together. Hebrews 10:25 reprimands those who have forsaken the gathering together of believers.
I will never forget the first time that I visited Clive when he was still living at the Mt. Carmel property. It was a Sabbath morning in late January... the same day that the space shuttle Columbia broke apart over Central Texas, but that is another story for another time. What I noticed as I joined the survivors for Bible study that day, and have not forgotten, is that there was discussion. Concepts were discussed, opinions were shared, and together the truths of Scripture were explored. In this type of fellowship, the Holy Spirit is truly the teacher, and we are all students together - which is as it should be.
It is with that in mind that I would like to do something a bit different this morning. Rather than post a long message, with passages for you to read and verses to look up, I want to begin a dialogue of true fellowship, that I hope will continue here each Sabbath and throughout the week.
I'll begin with some discussion questions, to get us thinking about fellowship and what Scripture says about it. Please, share your thoughts... I am not looking for any particular "right" or "wrong" answer, but rather for us to examine the matter together and discover the answers in the Word.
What does the Bible say about fellowship? How often should we meet in fellowship? Why is it important? How does it help us as believers? Does it bring honor to God when we meet in fellowship?
I'm off to do some studying now, and look for answers to those questions... I look forward to seeing your answers when I return, so that we can discuss them together.
Wendi
Message Thread:
« Back to thread