Truth 04 · 3 of 4

A family, not a hobby

Church, prayer and the Word

Read these first

Ephesians 2:19-22 · NRSVue

¹⁹So then, you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, ²⁰built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone; ²¹in him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord, ²²in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.

Hebrews 10:24-25 · NRSVue

²⁴And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, ²⁵not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Acts 2:42-47 · NRSVue

⁴²They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. ⁴³Awe came upon everyone because many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. ⁴⁴All who believed were together and had all things in common; ⁴⁵they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. ⁴⁶Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, ⁴⁷praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

A few words on what they mean

If God is your Father, then the people in the pews beside you are your brothers and sisters, whether or not you would have chosen them. Paul says you are "no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God." You were adopted into a family, not signed up to an activity.

So do not neglect "to meet together, as is the habit of some". You need the body and the body needs you. Read Acts 2 for what the first family did: "they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." They were together daily. They shared what they had. And "day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved." Submit to those who keep watch over your soul; your pastor "will give an account" for you (Hebrews 13:17), and that is a weight he carries willingly.

Then there are the two things nobody can do for you. "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Not a set time only, though have one, but a running conversation with your Father through the day, in the name of Jesus. And read the Word daily. The Bereans were commended because they "examined the scriptures every day to see whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11). Do that. Check me. Check your pastor. The Bible is the benchmark for everything, and a believer who knows it cannot be "blown about by every wind of doctrine" (Ephesians 4:14).

Fasting belongs here too. Jesus said "whenever you fast", not if (Matthew 6:16). Ask someone at church how they do it and start small. These three, church, prayer and the Word, are not the price of belonging. They are what belonging looks like.

Sit with this

Of the three (church, prayer, the Word), which is weakest in your life right now, and what is the first practical step?

Verse to memorise · NRSVue

not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:25

Say it until you can say it without looking.