Purposeful Fellowship & Spiritual Friendship
What do you think of when you hear the word fellowship?
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Fellowship (koinonia): communion, association, community, joint participation, intimacy, a gift jointly contributed
What is fellowship?
I John 1:3-7 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.
Fellowship is based on our shared faith in Christ, our shared experience of grace and our commitment to follow Jesus
Ephesians 2:19-22
Fellowship is a spiritual gift from God- one that the disciples DEVOTED themselves to Acts 2:42
How do we devote ourselves to it?
What do we tend to associate fellowship with?
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J.S. Smith writes about fellowship: Fellowship has come to lose most of its Bible meaning, in favor of a hybrid secular meaning, focusing on fun, food, and frolic within a religious setting.
Though there is an opportunity to find fellowship during the different activities we engage in as a church- it is not the function/party/physical activity that determines it.
Philippians 3:10 we share in the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings
2 Corinthians 8:1-4 we share in the privilege of serving the saints
Philippians 1:2-5 we share in the partnership in the gospel
Philippians 4:12-14 we share in each other’s troubles
2 Peter 1:1-4 we share in the promises of God
When we come into a worship service we devote ourselves to the fellowship by sharing our common faith with one another. It is not enough to look around when we’re singing and just smile cheerfully to the people around you. We are entrusted by God to protect and treasure this gift of fellowship.
We must look around and consider-how can I build up my brother or sister in Christ with these things? When you see someone not singing, or looking down-hearted-what do you do? Do you even pay attention? Devotion is a deliberate act based on a decision we make.
2 Corinthians 5:16
We have fellowship with one another not based on common language, culture, role in leadership, worldly wealth, personal qualities and virtues. So, we cannot allow these things to distract us, excuse us, or deter us from devoting ourselves to mutual edifying one another in our faith. This new view even changes our attitude about being together!
Our fellowship becomes what can I give to contribute rather than what will I get out of this meeting!
Making a Plan
Consider the passages we read above:
What questions can you ask a brother or sister to encourage their faith?
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How do you keep your conversation from being superficial?
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What can you say to someone in the fellowship you’ve never met before?
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Fellowship has nothing to do with being outgoing or feeling “strong spiritually”, but it is a decision to be like Christ and devote ourselves. Purposeful fellowship is just that—on purpose! It takes planning, preparation, discernment, and reliance on the Holy Spirit in order to be effective.
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
Spiritual Friendship
Who were Jesus’ friends?
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What do we know about those friendships?
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What can we learn from them?
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John 11:1-46
Some of Jesus’ friends included Mary, Martha and Lazarus. They had spent time together and knew each other well. Events in their lives evoked deep emotions. Their relationships matured and enabled them to grow spiritually.
Other examples:
- Jesus and his disciples: Those relationships developed through: time; discussions; events such as weddings, funerals, and Jesus’ preaching; and conflicts with other people and each other.
- John 20:1-ff.: Mary Magdalene’s friendship with Jesus brought about her healing and she stayed faithful to Him.
Questions for reflection:
Who are the most significant people in your life that you interact with daily/weekly?
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How are your friendships refined?
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How can you deepen and strengthen your friendships?
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James 4:4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
How do you view friendship now that you are a disciple?
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How have you matured in your friendships in the church?
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Further study:
Study the “one another” Scriptures below and meditate on how you can apply them to specific relationships so that they can grow stronger and deeper.
John 13:14
John 13:34-35
Romans 12:10
Romans 13:8
Romans 15:7
Romans 16:16
I Corinthians 1:10
I Corinthians 11:21
Galatians 5:13
Ephesians 4:2
Ephesians 5:19
Colossians 3:13, 16
I Thessalonians 5:11
Hebrews 10:24-25
I Peter 3:8
I Peter 5:5
I John 3:11
2 John 1:5
Links to all the Designed on Purpose class notes can be found in the Introductory article.
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