One of the best parts of being on a team is getting to know and hang out with your teammates. Each team sweats together, aches together and wins or loses together. But, if you can gel like a family, the sweating, aching and losing becomes more bearable, and winning becomes even more enjoyable. You have people you can celebrate with. You have people to lift you up when they are down or in a hard time of life. Fellowship is the best way for teammates to grow together. When you get to better know those you go to competition with, and they get to know you, everything you do on the ice, court or field holds higher value because you are not just doing it for you; you are doing it for your teammates.
Our walk with Christ is like that. When we walk with others in fellowship, the walk becomes more enjoyable and we become better together.
When you hear the word “fellowship”, you may think of a banquet or a church potluck dinner. But fellowship in Scripture is much deeper. The word most often used in Scripture for fellowship means sharing or partnering. The idea may involve food, but it is bigger than that. It is about living life together. We are introduced to the idea in the book of Acts, chapter 2. Jesus has ascended, and the Day of Pentecost has come, which is when the Holy Spirit filled the believers. Peter gives a mini-sermon, and they add about 3,000 people to the budding church of Christ.
“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and the fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42)
As believers, we need to learn Scripture, we need to be in prayer, we need to share meals together (the idea of hospitality) and we need to be in fellowship. But why do we need to be together?
Sharing together pleases God.
Hebrews 13:16 says, “And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are sacrifices that please God.” If we are followers of Christ, we want to please God. Our togetherness does that. God loves it when we join together in praise and worship, and when we serve one another.
We can face trials.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 talks about people helping each other succeed, keeping warm and protecting each other. In fact, verse 12b says, “…a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” Even just a few people around you, with God watching over, bolsters you up and enables you to endure through challenging times.
For encouragement.
Hebrews 10:25 charges us to “not neglect our meeting together… but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.” Today more than ever, we need to lift people up, and we need to allow others to lift us up in God’s truth. Spending time and life together are the best ways to lift someone’s spirit and help them walk with God better.
Here’s one of the biggest reasons to fellowship or share life with other people of faith:
“We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so you may fully share our joy.” (1 John 1:3-4)
When we come to know Jesus, the Spirit draws us to each other. The more we spend time together, the stronger and more encouraged we are, and the closer to God we get. And, as 1 John 1:4 says, the more joy we have.
If we spend more time with our team and teammates, the more joy we have in our sport. If we spend more time with our family in Christ, the more joy we have in our Savior and Heavenly Father. Seek that joy!
NEW DEVO!
This quarter, we’re exploring what it means to Pursue Mission. This month, our focus is on how to Prepare for the Mission. Join us as we journey through this exploration and Commit to the Mission next month.
One way to actively Pursue Mission is to get involved with FCA. Whether it’s volunteering as a Huddle leader or character coach, or committing to our team and coming on staff, we have a place for you to serve and disciple coaches and athletes. Get involved!
Want to learn more about pursuing team and surrounding yourself with the right spiritual teammates? Head to FCA in Action and read our November Pursue articles:
Anchor Article: Fundamental Training: Prepare for the Mission
Article One: Armor Up: Communion with God
Article Two: Comprehension: Bible Reading
*If you read this article and aren’t in relationship with Christ yet but would like to know more, we invite you to go through FCA’s The FOUR that explains how an everlasting and fulfilling life with God is possible.
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