There are references to family, togetherness, and fellowship throughout the Bible, and connecting with a family of believers can be a difference-maker in your personal spiritual journey. Acts 2:42 is one of the cornerstones of the Christian faith: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” This verse, along with others, encourages us to come together regularly in our walk with God rather than to traverse it alone. As a family of believers, we can worship, study, and serve while leaning on each other for support and encouragement.
Worshiping Together – Corporate worship provides us with experiences that are not possible when we worship alone. When we gather together, we experience both an awakening and an awareness that Christ is in us and in others. Psalms 34:3 reminds us to come together: “Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.”
Studying Together – Daily study of the scripture is essential, but gathering with others can enhance our understanding of the scriptures. The experiences and knowledge of others can help fill the gaps in our own learning. Developing an understanding of the scriptures also prepares us for the battles we will face as Christians. “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17)
Serving Together – Ephesians 6:7 says, “Serve wholeheartedly as if you were serving the Lord, not people.” As a group, we can offer service to others in much more significant ways than a single person can do alone. Together we can do more.
Support and Encourage Each Other – The support and encouragement of a church family goes two ways. When we are in need, others can lift us and provide for us. When others are in need, we are allowed to support someone else and to commit Christ-like acts of service that will encourage others through a difficult time.
Being with like-minded believers can encourage us in our spiritual journey as we seek to follow and serve the Lord, which is why developing a church family is so important. Whether we are experiencing joy or sadness, our brothers and sisters will become who we turn to first. We can encourage each other spiritually, support each other during difficult times, and serve as a sounding board when we have questions.
If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. (1 Corinthians 12:26)
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[…] through prayer and reading God’s Word. When you feel as though you can’t pray for yourself, reach out to your church family so they can pray for […]
[…] We need to admit that we’d be nowhere without Jesus. We should never take His gift of salvation for granted because we can never do it “right” by ourselves. By taking time to honestly reflect on who He is and what He’s done in our lives we become more compassionate and forgiving. Once we have a clean heart we’re ready to enter into the heart of worship. […]