INTRODUCTION:
Fellowship is one of the most common activities Christians engage in. It’s where we come together to enjoy each other’s company, get to know one another, have fun, eat together, or participate in shared activities like playing games or hiking. These activities are not bad; they’re part of our human experience, created for relationships. However, are this truly what fellowship means or looks like? Do we see it as part of our spiritual discipline? When we experience these things, can we genuinely say we have engaged in ‘fellowship,’ or perhaps are we merely bonding? Maybe we’re missing out on the true biblical meaning of fellowship. Just as the disciples demonstrated in Acts 2:42-47, we will learn and understand the true essence of fellowship and why it is important to our spiritual growth.

What is the true meaning of fellowship?

Four Biblical Truths About Fellowship

1. Fellowship is a place to grow together spiritually. (Acts 2:42)

This verse is a continuation of what happened in the previous verses, where after the disciples received the Holy Spirit, and after the Apostle Paul stood in front of people telling them to repent and be baptized. Notice the word ‘devoted,’ similar to what happened to the apostles. It is impossible for a person who receives the Holy Spirit and experiences God not to devote himself/herself to studying the Word of God and to God’s people. And as we study and pray together in fellowship, we can experience growth together.

2. Fellowship is an opportunity to *experience* God together. (Acts 2:43)

In our own understanding of fellowship, we never expect that in fellowship we can experience the presence of God if we will make ourselves aware of His presence whenever we engage in fellowship. Matthew 18:20 said, ‘When two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.’ We will not experience God’s presence if we are just focused on happenings.

3. Fellowship allows us to *minister* to one another. (Acts 2: 44-45)

In true fellowship, we recognize our interconnectedness and actively prioritize caring for one another. It’s essential to extend our attention beyond just the joyful moments and be aware of the needs of each other

4. Fellowship teaches us to *share* our lives with one another. (Acts 2:46-47)

True fellowship teaches us to share our lives with one another, a safe place for us to share what is going on in our life without hesitation. Sometimes, as to how we understand “fellowship” and how we used to do fellowship, it is hard for us to express ourselves or share what is really going on with our lives. Like what this verse said, in fellowship we come together with glad and sincere hearts.

As a result of understanding the biblical truth about fellowship
Every time we gather together for fellowship, people around us will notice that there’s uniqueness and different kind of meeting together, that out of curiosity, without hesitation people will be attracted to that

CONCLUSION:

1. True Fellowship Leads us to life-giving relationship.

2. As we come together in fellowship, let’s not just focus on joyful activities, but also on its true essence.

3. Go to the people you often gather with in fellowship, together with those who may be joining for the first time or haven’t experienced fellowship yet, and make a commitment not only to focus on the enjoyable activities in fellowship but also to contribute to spiritual growth.

DISCUSSION:

1. Before hearing the sermon, what is your understanding about fellowship?

2. Does it give you new understanding about fellowship? How?

3. Which of the 4 biblical truths about fellowship are new to you?

4. Which of the four biblical truths have you experienced in a fellowship?

5. How do you plan to apply what you have learned today?