The Gathering

Matthew 28: 19-20 tells us to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…”  All Christians are called to this task.  Disciples are followers, and they must see your life in order to follow.  This means welcoming people into your home and life.  Let them see the good, the bad, and sometimes even that ugly stack of laundry that’s been sitting there for two days.  Your home doesn’t have to be perfect.  Your life certainly won’t be perfect   However, opening your life and home to others is a great way to share the gospel and make disciples.  Acts 2:42 tells us that the early church gathered regularly to learn, fellowship, eat, and pray. 

Gather to learn.  The early church was studying the teachings of the apostles.  They may have had the apostles there teaching on some days.  They may have just been mulling over the text that was taught the last time they heard one of the apostles.  Whether it was active preaching every day, or just study and discussion, we can still learn from the apostles today by reading what they have written in the Scriptures.  We should not only devote personal time to the study of God’s Word, but we should also talk about it with others and learn from one another.  I enjoy a Bible Study with some ladies each summer.  My friend, Kathryn, suggested a summer study for teachers who are not able to participate in other “mom” groups that usually take place during weekdays but end in the summer.  This has been a great time of learning from God’s Word together as we wrestle through the meaning of a text and look not only at what it is saying to us, but also the original intention to the first audience.

Gather to eat.  Our family loves food, so this is an easy one for us.  Sometimes we have a meal that literally takes a whole day to make, and sometimes we eat fast food picked up on the way home.  Sometimes we provided the food, and sometimes people bring food with them.  As much as we love food and sharing it with others, what kind of food doesn't matter as much as who is sharing the meal.  If you are not confident in your cooking ability, just open your home as a gathering place for people to bring what they have made.  People can bring food to share, or just their own lunch to eat with everyone else.  We love hosting a Christmas/Christmas Eve open house that is just a come and go as you need to type get together.  Everyone gets to come and enjoy food and conversation with whoever else shows up!  As people relax and enjoy food, there is also time for fellowship and sharing.

Gather for fellowship.  Talk about a range of subjects, letting the people gathered determine the topic.  Fellowship doesn’t need to be planned out or scripted.  Discussions in our home have included current events and history, theology and philosophy, comic books and movies.  Sometimes our discussions are light and fun.  Sometimes we go deep and hit hard topics.  In our home we desire a free space where everyone is welcome to share their thoughts and perspective without fear.  Do we agree with everyone who discusses with us?  No.  However, we hope that we can all learn from each other and at least understand a different point of view.  Healthy disagreement helps you better understand yourself as well as others.  You never know if you have a good, logical argument if no one ever challenges it.  For example, my friend Christa and her husband regularly invite people over for smores and discussions around their fire pit.  We laugh, talk and have fun.  We have had discussions about trivial things, like TV shows and movies.  We have also had deep theological or philosophical discussions.  We have laughed with one another, and we have also counseled and debated with one another.  Life throws curves, and we never know what’s up ahead, but meeting regularly with friends to talk about it is a great way to navigate those twists and turns!

Gather for prayer.  It is good to pray with others at any time.  You can pray before you study God’s Word, you can pray before you eat, you can pray before, during or after a time of fellowship.  There is something special, however, about gathering for the specific purpose of prayer.  Coming together to petition, confess, or praise in unity.  Paul admonishes the Ephesians to put on the Armor of God “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication” (Ephesians 6:18a).  We are also told to call on the Elders of our church to gather for prayer when someone is sick.  I have seen groups come together physically, in one location, to join together in prayer.  I have seen others who will all fast at the same time for the purpose of prayer over a certain situation, uniting in prayer and fasting at a designated time from wherever they are.  God invites us into his presence to bring our praise, confession, and requests to him.  We need to remember what a great privilege God has given us, and use it!

I have learned that great fellowship often takes place around your table, or in your house, maybe around a fire pit.  Sometimes fellowship is planned months in advance.  Sometimes the invite was extended with only a few hours notice.  Wherever and however you invite people over, the important thing is to keep inviting.  Keep your home open to all and always be ready to share the gospel, make disciples and fellowship with believers.