We had a nice time last night going over the last chapters of Simplify Your Spiritual Life. Peggie lead us through a discussion of the following topics: Inventing a Ministry; Seeking True Fellowship; Cultivating Koinonia; and Fellowshipping Face to Face. I always appreciate when the ladies take our discussion to the scriptures...here are some that came up throughout the evening:
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
Galatians 6:9-10;
"So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."
Ephesians 4:11-13;
"They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
Acts 2:42
Here are some of the points of discussion that came up:
- If we see a need in the church we should pray about filling it
- Ask God to show us the need
- Ask Him if I am the one to help fill it
- Ask Him how to fill it
- The ministries going on in the church are there because someone saw a need and stepped up
- "ministry" may mean calling people, praying for people, giving rides etc.
- TRBC is a church that practices this because of the teaching we receive (Ephesians 4:11-13)
- Think about what we are talking about...are we really fellowshipping when we gather together?
- We can focus our conversations by asking probing questions (ie: page 193)
- we can try to keep our minds focused on the Lord, and then our conversations should follow
- A side note when it comes to probing questions...consider "How would you LIKE the Lord to work in your life?" instead of "How is the Lord working in your life?" as these questions can be difficult for some to answer.
- Here are some of the blessing that come from true fellowship:
- encouragement for our souls
- a sense of identity and belonging (which we don't or shouldn't sense in the world)
- knowing someone is praying, which brings strength and courage
- and increased love for Christ and His people
- the gift or rebuke and exhortation
- Ways that we can promote fellowship
- focus conversation on the Lord and on the messages at the Lord's Day meal
- seek out face to face contact
- ask questions
- give thanks to God in conversation
- ask how we can pray for others
- We need to be intentional about fellowshipping
- We had a good discussion about why Mr. Whitney's book ends with "Minimize Electronic Spirituality, Part 2
- because he finds it a very important point
- because electronics are one of the strongest enemies against simplifying
- Last paragraph: "The apostle John was inspired to tell us, 'We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren' In other words, one of the ways we gain assurance four salvation is by measuring the strength of our love for our Christian brothers and sisters. And like any other real love, this love cannot be content-no matter how many emails it receives-to love only at a digital distance, for there are some aspects of Christian fellowship you just can't download"
- And, though we didn't have much time to review the book, Peggie did drive home the fact that if we haven't applied anything from this book, it was all in vain. So please consider reviewing the book and putting something to practice. Chances are, as you review, you will realize that you have already!
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