Imagine for a moment that you’re on a company assignment in a city far from home and your work project has unexpectedly been extended for a few more weeks. Not knowing anyone in the area, you feel stranded. Thus you go online to look for a church nearby. You locate one not too far from your hotel and decide to visit it. When you arrive at the door, you are warmly welcomed. The service starts and you sing along to familiar songs; then the pastor shares an encouraging message from God’s Word. Afterward a few people invite you to lunch, where you end up sharing with each other how God is working in your lives. As you go back to your hotel room, you think to yourself…“It seems like I’ve known these people for a long time, almost like family.” God designed “fellowship” for this very purpose.

How is “fellowship” formed? Is it something short lived or something that is developed over time? The word “fellowship” carries with it the idea of our sharing something in common with others… being partners who participate in each other’s lives. (more…)