The What, Why, and When of Getting Together

August 13, 2019

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT

Why does the church gather together? Why do we say things like “circles are better than rows,” and why do we insist that belonging to a truly connected small group is vital?

The Hebrew writer has a two-verse “instructional manual” on community:

  • It’s important. Don’t neglect your opportunities to get together. Some people do, and it is unwise.
  • The closer we get to the Lord’s return, the more vital it is to be in community with other believers.
  • Encouraging each other is a major reason for getting together in community.
  • We get together in order to motivate each other to acts of love and good works.

“Let us think of ways to motivate each other to acts of love and good deeds.” This is our goal as Christ-followers. It’s not what we typically think and expect. We typically assume we should be thinking about how WE should love others and do good deeds. Of course, we need to do that. But here we are told one of the responsibilities and privileges of community is to focus on helping others become loving people. Aim at stirring up others to do good deeds. We need that kind of help too. Our joint purpose in the world is to help the needy and hurting and draw people with Christ’s love. We waver and need motivation and stirring up from time to time. The mutual motivation is part of the benefit of community. We aim not only to do the good ourselves, but we also determine how we can think and feel and talk and act in ways that will cause others to love and do good deeds. WE are sources of encouragement for each other in a weary world.

What a wonderful idea! I help you and you help me. That way we stay encouraged and we stay on task.

  • Make a major goal of your life to think about others in community: Study them, know them, figure them out, so that that you can motivate them to love and good deeds.

  • Get together often with other believers, especially in a consistent small group, for the specific purpose of encouraging each other.

  • Encourage others by reminding them how great our hope is in Christ and that God can be trusted. Why don’t you call someone in your community and encourage them today?