I have had the wonderful opportunity to be a part of LLUMC's Disciple I class taught by Pastor Mai Le this past year. It isn't your ordinary small group or bible study as the reading assignments are well laid out as is the workbook material and questions. It is a commitment not only to attend, but to prepare and to participate in order to create the kind of environment that people of faith need to increase knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of this great book we call the living Word of God.
Since last June, we have had a range of people that attended- anywhere from nineteen to nine on any given Tuesday night. No matter the number, those that were present prayed, listened, questioned, and usually left there with a little more insight and enlightenment on the Word of God than they had when they arrived. Most of us did not know each other since our church is fairly large, and we all came from different ethnic, denominational, age, and social groups. It would seem at first that most of us had little in common except for our faith and our church. I found out how beautiful just that little bit of commonality could be by graduation night.
At the end of each class, we always took prayer requests. This was one of the ways that we all got to know one another. Through our loved ones that were sick or lost, or had recently passed on, we requested prayer and shared which lead us to learn a little more about each other. When some of us were not there or on trips, we never neglected to mention them, miss them, and pray that they would be back with us soon. In the beginning, there were a few of us that seemed a little lost in the group- a little unsure of what was being said or hesitant on what to say and how to participate. Needless to say, it did not stay that way. As for myself, I prayed for those who seemed to struggle and I felt that others were praying for each other as well. The last few months of class were the best! Those that were hesitant and unsure, began to grow and bloom right where they were for us all to see! It was the most beautiful thing I have ever witnessed!
This past Tuesday night, the final twelve that were able to stay committed the entire year came together for the last lesson. We met and had a covenant service that brought our fellowship together with song, sharing of scripture, sharing of what this class had meant to each of us, shared communion, and at last eating a meal together. It was a wonderful time of reflection, sharing, and laughter that I never knew would mean so much to me.
In Matthew 18:20, Jesus said "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them". (NIV) I could not agree more..... I felt the love of Jesus in that room and at that dining table, just as if Jesus Himself were there eating pickled shrimp and lemon cake with us. The fellowship of believers have a peace that goes beyond just being around friends. You "choose" who your friends are: you don't choose who is in God's family- GOD does. Therefore, we have to make an intentional choice to love each other as believers. This intentional choice is also a command of Jesus, actually described by Him as a new commandment that He gave His twelve disciples- "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. BY THIS everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35.
I know that ultimately the Holy Spirit teaches us and guides our Spiritual path, but we all need "others" to help with the understanding of God's Word, to help encourage us in our Spiritual growth, to help us find out and develop our Spiritual Gifts, and to keep us strong in Faith AND deed! I am certain all that are reading this may not agree with me on this matter, and that's OK. This is only my opinion. For me the gathering of believers is helpful and essential to my Spiritual growth and also in learning to serve others.
Hebrews: 10:24-25 says this "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching." The word "spur" in some other translations that I have read say "motivate". The word "encouraging" in verse 25 in the Amplified version says "admonishing" which includes "encouraging", but also "warning" and "urging". We don't only encourage, but we hold each other accountable- this helps keep us on track and not stray too far from the truth. Satan would love nothing better than to isolate a Child of God and make them think that they don't need anyone to "tell them what they should believe". He knows that there is "power" in numbers when God's people come together and pray.
As the twelve of us graduate from Disciple I and begin Disciple II this fall, we all have a bond that took a full year to fully form. It is the bond of fellowship and love for one another, and for God. Each of us unique in our way of worship, talents, gifts, and service to the Lord, but all one in the Spirit of our Risen Savior, Jesus Christ. To each person in my class: thank you for your love, encouragement, understanding, and your wisdom.
"Let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions." 1 John 3:18
"This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God...."
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