Rev Bill

Purpose 2 in Rick Warren’s book The Purpose Driven Life is:

You Were Formed For God’s Family

Warren continues on this topic with day 18 — Experiencing Life Together.

He begins with the first sentence: Life must be shared — then goes into a discussion of belonging to a group that can be a place of fellowship for you.

First, he makes that statement that this group need to be small so everyone will feel a part and real fellowship can be established. He then gives 4 things you will receive from belonging to a group where real fellowship occurs.

1. You will experience authenticity.
A small group where fellowship can occur can give you a place where you can share authentically with others instead of engage in idle chit chat.

2. You will experience mutuality.
To have a consistent faith you need to be a part of a group that can encourage you in your walk with the Lord.

3. You will experience sympathy.
A small group where fellowship can occur can give you a place where your feelings are understood and validated.

4. You will experience mercy.
A small group where fellowship can occur can be a place where — as Warren puts it — your mistakes are not rubbed in, but rubbed out.

Do you have a small group of Christians to whom you go for real fellowship? This can be a Bible Study group, Sunday School class, or other group within the Church where you can experience authenticity, mutuality, sympathy, and mercy. Every Christian needs to be a part of such a group.

Lord — Help me to find a group to establish real fellowship with, and help me to learn what it means to offer and receive authenticity, mutuality, sympathy, and mercy. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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