One of the most important spiritual disciplines you can develop is faithful involvement with other believers. It is always amazing when a Christian says, “Oh, I don’t go to church very often” or, “I prefer to watch sermons online” or, “I will listen to the message while I am on the treadmill later this week.” Oftentimes, people admit that they only go to church when they can fit it into their schedule, or when their kids aren’t involved in a sports tournament. While there is nothing wrong with watching church services online, or listening to sermons while running on the treadmill, there is no substitute for regular attendance and faithful involvement in the worship services, outreach ministries, and small groups within your church.
One of the most important reasons we need to connect with others at church is to be motivated to acts of love and good works. These two things are always the mark of true Christianity. Christians are never judged by the confessions they make, or the creed they recite; it is always by their deeds. How much practical love have you shown to others? How have you responded to the cry for help from someone near you, someone who is destitute or disappointed, who needs an encouraging word?
The writer of Hebrews suggests the primary way to motivate one another to acts of love and good works is to not neglect meeting together. No Christian has ever been called to go it alone in their faith. We need one another. One of the most common ways the enemy attacks Christians is to isolate them. When we gather, we encourage one another, we support one another, we pray for and with one another, we comfort one another. There are many studies available on the topic of the one anothers of the Bible. They each show the importance of connecting with one another.
Upon reflection, answer the following questions:
- Do you believe it is important for Christians to be in church regularly? Why do you think many Christians don’t attend church regularly?
- What is the greatest privilege of connecting with others at church? Share an example from your church experiences of a benefit of faithfully attending church.
- Share a few examples of one anothers from Scripture. How do these examples encourage you to connect with others?
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