Category: . . . Fellowship & Hospitality
Strategic Hospitality (Without Grumbling, but Possibly With Eggs)
When I was a boy, we didn’t lock our house during the day, even if we left. Those were the “good ol’ days.” I’m sure security at my parents’ house has changed. We also had an if-you-show-up-we’ll-have-some-dessert-for-you policy. I’m positive that hasn’t changed. I’m thankful to...
Four Insights from the “One Another” Commands
This whole page could be filled with the “one another” commands in the New Testament. Here are just a few: “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” (Romans 12:10) “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in...
7 Questions for Meaningful Conversation with Believers
We’ve got to move dialogue with believers beyond a superficial level if we are going to really know and encourage one another. But where do we even start? Here are seven questions you might ask. They might be useful in a variety of settings, such as...
Regarding No One According to the Flesh
I take notice when something isn’t properly maintained. It’s a blessing and a curse. While driving down the road, it’s common for me to make comments about grass. “Man, that grass is long…they should get out there and mow…someone should have mowed last week!” My wife...
Let Brotherly Love Continue . . . and Increase!
Brotherly love (meaning the love Christians have and express for other believers) heads the list of characteristics that ultimately distinguish real Christians from those who falsely profess to follow Christ. Also residing in this list, of course, are belief in biblical truth and rejection of error,...
The Fellowship Factor
Living for Christ Better by Loving Him Together Christians who hold each other accountable by regularly asking each other to confess sins they have committed are restraining each other from sinning. The knowledge that someone is going to ask you to tell the truth about your...
Hospitality for Gospel Advance
I occasionally travel around the country in order to teach the Bible in various settings, typically staying in the home of a pastor or church members. Looking back over several years of these experiences, I can confidently say that joyous hospitality is a boon to my...
Creating a Culture of Hospitality
Church doesn’t just happen on Sunday morning and Wednesday nights. We all know that. In our busy and self-isolating culture, we have to make intentional, personal contact with each other if we want to be a real community. But how do we do it? Let me...
Understanding Love
The world does not understand the love of God in Jesus Christ. But the world loves to talk about love. It is often used with reference to trivial things like, “I love that car!” “I love football!” or “I love those shoes!” Phrases like these are...
Why Women Don’t Talk About the Bible, and What You Can Do About It
I sat in the kitchen with the other women, but I didn’t want to be there. The teaching session of our home fellowship group had just ended, and we each took a plate of snacks and found a place to sit. The children disappeared outside, the...