Small Fellowships, The Heart of the Church

…not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching — Hebrews 10:25

The heart of the church are small group studies. Opportunities for believers, young and old, to gather together to pray, read God's word, encourage one another, share concerns and even break bread (or drink coffee!)

The body of Jesus Christ is His church, not so much a particular denomination and most certainly not a physical building. Sure, both can have a place in the building up of the saints, but when it comes to the collective church, that body comprises individuals scattered around the globe as well as believers who have left this world.

Forsaking the Gathering Together of the Saints

Over the past few years I’ve been uncovering a trend among some believers and that is that they remove themselves from a local expression of the body (meaning, attending church) and are not going to services at all. In some cases these believers are part of a home group or they have a looser fellowship arrangement with similar minded believers.

Their reasons for not being part of a local church are typically many and include disagreement with the teaching, a desire for fresh worship, not wanting to be part of a mega congregation and more. Many of their concerns are valid, but I believe that in some cases they may be “forsaking the assembling of themselves” with other believers.

The Body of Christ

Let me be one of the first people to join in to say that there certainly are problems with the church.  I will also say that there have always been problems ever since Jesus left this world! Problems will remain in place until the Lord returns for His church when at that time we’ll be perfected. In the meantime, the Body of Christ is made up of that which is imperfect and will stay that way this side of eternity.

I published an article earlier this month titled, “7 Steps To Help You Draw Closer To God In 2009,” whereby I included fellowship as one of the steps outlined. Though I pointed to the local church as one step, I would be remiss if I were to minimize the importance of small fellowship groups as part of that step.

The Benefit of Small Groups

Small group fellowships (also known as home fellowships, cell groups, etc.) are often the most effective way for believers to connect with each other. Matthew 18:20 reads, “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” While God certainly is present in the large group congregating for worship and teaching on a Sunday morning, this verse serves to remind Christians that He is also present when just two believers gather together.

Yes, God is present with us individually, but I believe this verse demonstrates something of importance: He is delighted when we gather together with someone else.

Proverbs 27:17 illustrates a compelling reason for our being with at least one other person, “Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance.” That’s amazing — we’re given the power (and the responsibility) to encourage someone else. Clearly, we cannot do that when we’re not in that person’s presence. Yes, email and phone calls are important, but there is something about eye contact that makes a difference.

The church that I attend has gotten very big over the years, so much so that it is virtually impossible to meet up with people on Sunday mornings. Between parking the car, taking children to Sunday school and heading over to the sanctuary to find a seat there isn’t much time to stop and talk.

When service ends, we’re encouraged to get our children and leave, making room for people coming in for the next service. I certainly do not like not being able to hang around and talk with people afterward, but that’s the way things are for us right now. Perhaps after our building is expanded later this year things will change, but for now we live with it. I’m grateful for what we have and leave the missing part in God’s hands.

Thankfully, there are some excellent opportunities for people in our congregation to fellowship. Men’s and Ladies’ Bible studies are held weekly while a handful of weekly or bi-weekly home fellowships have been established. I also know that some believers are gathering together with Christians who attend other churches. That’s fine too — God’s body is huge!

My Monday Morning Men’s Group

Just off of the radar, but meeting with the approval of our church’s leadership is a men’s group that meets every Monday morning for one hour. This group was started in June 2005 and I’m one of the original attendees. Weekly, we go through the Word, pray, share personal concerns, encourage one another, etc. We meet at a Panera Bread store and enjoy a bagel and coffee with our study.

For several months in 2006 I actually left the group, as I was overwhelmed by work and personal issues, but returned realizing that I benefited more by being there than by being away. I’m glad that I did because as Proverbs clearly shows I can sharpen someone else as much as they sharpen me.

Staying away was a rip off…to me personally, but to the other men in my group as well. I’m not someone special, but then again each believer is special to God. I thoroughly enjoy the company of brethren and want to grab every opportunity I can during my busy week.

What it boils down to is this: small groups are all about seeking God and building one another up…very simple, but a command that we should all take seriously.

You Can Make a Difference

I’m not going to share all of the details of our group other than to say that we’re currently studying Daniel and we use a study guide written by Warren Wiersbe to aid us. We have a strict “what is said in the group stays in the group” policy, which builds trust and reminds us to pray for one another.

If you’re desiring to be part of a small group, then that is a good thing. Before our group launched, I wanted to get with some guys for such a meeting and God opened that door up. You can too — ask a pastor or church leader about current small group opportunities or, if one doesn’t currently exist, offer to start one up.

One final thought: we’re living in difficult times and I’m not talking simply about the recession. Spiritually, the war against the saints of God is heating up and we need each other as we go out to battle. Even a one hour weekly group meeting can make a difference for you and for others — God will bless it and you’ll be the stronger Christian for it.

Let me conclude this article by sharing with you Psalm 133 which, I think, shows the beauty (is that too strong of a word?) of fellowship:

1 How good and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in unity!

2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down upon the collar of his robes.

3 It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the LORD bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.

Photo Credit: Julia Freeman-Woolpert

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