Koinonia

Koinonia is an ancient Greek word that means fellowship. Fellowship is an integral part of church membership, it transforms believers into a solid supportive community.

Today I went out to lunch with a group of ladies from my church. Some I have known for years, others I had just met. I had a great time talking about our everyday lives and our church affiliations. After lunch I started thinking about fellowship, is it really a necessary part of our Christian lives? The answer is yes! 

I have a brother-in-law who believes that church is wherever you make it. He does not believe in participating in an active church. He stays at home, reads his Bible on Sunday and watches pastors on TV. That to him is church, but I have to believe that something is missing.  

Koinonia is vital to church members, it builds community, provides encouragement and models what Christ would do. Jesus enjoyed Koinonia, he ate with tax collectors and sinners often. I can’t help but wonder what they talked about. Did Jesus ask about their lives? I’m sure he taught them about God; Jesus believed in Kiononia. 

In the book of Acts, after the apostles baptized 3,000 people they were said to have fellowshipped with them. Acts 2:42 says, “They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, fellowship and the breaking of bread and prayers”. What a glorious meal that must have been! 

Regular connection with other believers prevents people from drifting away from God. Have you ever gone to church and thought, “I haven’t seen so and so for a long time”. This is where you could step in and invite this person to some fellowship time at a coffee shop or out to lunch. That meeting could provoke them to attend active worship again, as you can see, koinonia is very important.  

I love the fact that our church is online and that if you can’t make it to church or are sick you can still participate in worship. However, something is missing. You cannot fellowship with a TV and you are missing out on the glory of worshipping with fellow Christians when you stay at home and are isolated. 

When hard times come, and they always do, living in a faith community can help to provide emotional support for those experiencing loss. It lets them know that they matter and that they do not have to suffer alone. 

Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another”. The Bible tells us that fellowship is very important. If you do not currently belong to a small group in your church I encourage you to seek one out. Meeting one on one with another Christians is another option if you do not enjoy small groups. The point is to get together in God’s love, this will help your Christian faith grow stronger, you won’t be disappointed. 

Dear God, please be with me as I seek to learn more about you together with other Christians. Help me to worship and praise you through others in your love. Amen 


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