Imagine you are gathering with loved ones for a wondrous event. You have brought gifts and will receive gifts. It’s not something you can do online or in a Zoom meeting. This is something you do in person, face to face.

What am I talking about? Attending your local church. Actually, more than just attending. It’s having fellowship with other believers and pre-believers. The Greek word for fellowship is ‘koinonia,’ which means sharing in common or joint participation.

Fellowship in the early church is described in Acts 2:41-47 and includes teaching, prayer, baptisms, singing, praising God, sharing meals and/or communion together, and meeting one another’s needs.

Before we meet others for fellowship, it helps to prepare our hearts.  We can pray for God to guide us in greeting someone new, in speaking a word of encouragement or prophecy, or having the insight to see someone in need. Pray also for open ears and a tender heart to hear the message God has for us, for discernment to recognize truth, and the ability to listen to those in need. Also, let’s be prepared to bring our monetary gift, our tithe and offering, to God.

Don’t let rebellion or fear stop you from stepping into a church setting. Today’s society has become focused on self, but Jesus came so that believers could be together and reach out and serve one another. As a Christian, you are a part of the body of Christ, the church, and all parts are needed for her to function well.

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). Come join with your local congregation. Bless others and be blessed.