Hey Guys!
Just another Thought for Thursday
I have heard over and over and over the same song – the same line – the same desire from so many people… its all about contact and connection. We miss it, I know that a lot of you do because you have told me.Frankly, we should. Disciples were not meant to be isolated, we are supposed to be interdependent.
I am writing this thought out now because of what many church pundits / consultants are putting out is that there will be a huge number of people not return to worship or small groups, to church, after this whole lock down is lifted.
Have you ever heard the saying – “Birds of a Feather flock together…”? Its true – they do. When was the last time you saw a turkey buzzard amid a flock of flamingos? I didn’t think so. Ok, so some of you are saying – but eagles are birds and they soar by themselves. Well, not so fast. On more than one occasion I have watched as a pair of eagles flew together. I have a picture at my house that was taken in the wild of three eagles sitting together.
The same holds true for Disciples. Disciples should “flock” together.This has NOTHING to do with social status, color, nationality or any other “discriminator” – this is about Christians being Christians in real life. Honestly, you cannot say that you’re a Disciple and then not want to be around other Disciples – that is an oxymoron. Sunday School, Bible Study, Cell groups, small groups what ever you want to call your “flock” it is all the same… sure, each group may in fact have it’s own affinity marker (something that the individuals each share – small children, retired, same zip code, etc) that attracts others to that flock, but they are still Christians with other Christians…
Any Disciples flock should have some simple guidelines to which they function
1. Biblical Principles “Let the teaching of Christ live among you in an abundant way. Use all wisdom to teach and warn one another with psalms, songs of praise, and spiritual songs, singing to God with your hearts”. Colossians 3:16 (Simple English)Christ must be the basis and the bible must be the guideline. It isn’t just being social, it is purposeful.
2. Fellowship (Koinonia) “And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42 You know they were Christians – they had a potluck every time they got together.Koinonia is the word used here and it is a very important word…it is more than just food and fun; it is deeper, it is intimacy and it is sharing life and burdens and laughs together.
3. Life Application “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17If what you are doing in the group cannot directly used to impact a life then you are just sharing facts. Facts are elemental – Truth is essential – Application is excellent.What I am getting at is this – as a Believer it is not just a sin NOT to flock together it is VITAL to meet together. The fact that it is a sin should be enough, but flocking together is also beneficial. It builds you up, it provides support, you can encourage someone else, you share life experiences from a biblical perspective and everyone grows.
SO – When all this lockdown mess is over… GET CONNECTEDGET INVOLVEDYou may think they all look like flamingos while you feel like a buzzard but when they connected they were buzzards too!