Purpose Driven Life Day 18

Day 18, May 18th, "Experiencing Life Together" 

  - Life is meant to be shared! Today, typically when we think of the word fellowship we think of socializing, food and fun. Real fellowship is unselfish loving, honest sharing, practical serving, sacrificial giving, sympathetic comforting, etc.  Fellowship should be done in a small group. "You can worship with a crowd but you can't fellowship with one." Rick Warren. When you start getting upwards of ten people in a group one or more people will leave and a few others will dominate. Small group fellowship is best done with less than 10 people. Fellowship can be anything from small groups, bible study, or a Sunday school class. Rick Warrens says if we see the church as a ship the small groups are the life boats. Matthew 18:20 says, "This is true because if two or three people come together in my name, I am there with them." Small groups are powerful. God promises us that whenever two or three gather he is with them. Thats why it is so important when you are dating or married to someone to pray together. It helps both of you grow together spiritually and its powerful!

IN REAL FELLOWSHIP PEOPLE EXPERIENCE AUTHENTICITY

  - When we experience real fellowship we can have heart to heart sharing. We can become open about our lives so that we can experience real fellowship. We have to be honest in order to grow spiritually and be emotionally healthy. It's not healthy to hold things in. We need people we can go to to talk things over with in any scenario. Rick Warren says, "We only grow by taking risks and the most difficult risk of all is to be honest with ourselves and with others." If there is some sin in your life that you are hiding you shouldn't be. You should come into real fellowship and share that with others so that they can help you and pray for you.

IN REAL FELLOWSHIP PEOPLE EXPERIENCE MUTUALITY 

 - Mutuality is the art of giving and receiving and depending on each other. This is the heart of fellowship. We become more conscious of our faith when others walk with us and encourage us. Now, I am currently not part of a small group but I would like to think that my friend Liv and I are kind of our own small group. We are both going through this book together and sharing our thoughts daily and helping each other grow in our faith. The thing is the church that I am currently going to does not have a small group for my age. Maybe I should start one. Thats scary to me but if God calls you he will equip you.


IN REAL FELLOWSHIP PEOPLE EXPERIENCE SYMPATHY

  - This means that the people you are in real fellowship with enter and share the pain of others and yourself. Rick Warren says, "Sympathy meets two fundamental human needs, the need to be understood and the need to have your feelings validated." This is so true, I know there are only a few people I can go to for true sympathy for things. Others do not enter into that pain with me.

LEVELS OF FELLOWSHIP
   1. Fellowship of Sharing and Studying God's Word
   2. Fellowship of Serving (mission trips)
   3. Fellowship of Suffering (entering into each others pain and carrying each others burdens)
This are listed from the shallowest to the deepest.

When we are in crisis or grief or doubt we need each other most. Job 6:14 says, "To the one in despair, kindness should come from his friend even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty." We should be kind and show friendship to those in grief, doubt, or crisis. They need us more then ever at that time.

IN REAL FELLOWSHIP PEOPLE EXPERIENCE MERCY

 - In real fellowship mistakes are not rubbed in they are rubbed out. The people in your small group should help you heal when you make a mistake not rub it in that you did something wrong. "You can't have fellowship without forgiveness." Rick Warren. God warns us to not hold on to grudges because bitterness and resentment with destroy fellowship. Colossians 3:13 says, "Bear with each other, and forgive each other. If someone does wrong to you, forgive that person because the Lord forgave you." The mercy God has shown us should be the motivation for us to forgive others. Forgiveness should be immediate but trusting htat person again will take time to rebuilt. Have a forgiving heart.

Point to Ponder: I need others in my life.
Verse to Remember: "Share each others troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2
Question to Consider: What one step can I take today to connect with another believer at a more genuine, heart-to-heart level?