The Purpose Driven Life:
Small Group: Week 3 (Fellowship)

"Wow! That guy can communicate!", commented one of our small group members as we turned from the video to our small group discussion. Warren used Romans 12:9-16 to point out five building blocks for fellowship:

1. Authenticity - dropping our masks and being sincere as God's Word "exposes us for what we really are" (Hebrews 4:12)

2. Courtesy - we are all different and may disagree, but believers should not be disagreeable (Titus 3:2)

3. Mutuality - "If one person falls, the other can reach out and help" (Ecclesiastes 4:10) as we provide mutual encouragement, honor and accountability

4. Hospitality - the early 1st century church "met in small groups in homes for communion and shared their meals with great joy" (Acts 2:46)

5. Unity - "be of one mind, united in thought and purpose" (1 Corinthians 1:10), humbly accepting our own imperfections and others, as well, so we can grow in grace.

As we talked about the characteristics of healthy families and healthy churches, one person in our group identified time, and another suggested intention. Today's busyness makes it difficult for a family or a church group to sit down and eat together. But close relations don't happen just because people are in the same room together - it takes intention to share ourselves and listen to others. It is significant that the early church spent time in meals together.

It's easy to discuss these ideas. The hard part comes when we try to get together to practice "fellowship." There may not be one time perfect for everyone to practice authenticity, courtesy, mutuality, hospitality and unity, but finding a time is well worth the effort. Our diverse groups (young/old, male/female, single/married, black/white, long/short time at Central) are unified by our being part of God's family, wanting to understand our purpose on earth, and wanting to love one another as He has loved us.