I want to encourage everybody to meet in a fellowship band for many reasons. I have met for over a year in a fellowship band with two other men but prior to this, I led about 1500 small group meetings during the last 30 years. We share the responsibility to bring a lesson with either, Seeking Growth, Using Disciplines, Sharing Fellowship or Engaging Mission, biweekly using the card. The Fellowship Bands [portable] card is so effective. I have seen some small group materials that are confusing but the Inspire Band Fellowship is straightforward.
The pandemic slowly but surely was making me isolated, but the fellowship band came along and filled an important part of providing an environment for me to vocalize my faith, (a necessary part of Ephesians 4:2-3). Also the fellowship band provides a great environment to get ready for communion as prescribed in 1 Corinthians 11:28. Thomas A Kempis wrote “The Imitation of Christ” and stated, “If we were to uproot only one vice each year, we should soon become perfect.” I interpret this as Christian maturity and have found the fellowship band to be a place for honest discussion about struggles common to everyone.
Perseverance is an important part of the Christians journey and I would encourage everybody to join an Inspire Fellowship Band as a critical component of living out Colossians 3:12-15.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Blessings!
Bob, Lexington, KY, USA
