Romans 12:5 "so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another."

Fellowship is a necessity for each member of the body. When one member is benefited, the whole body benefits. In fellowship we acknowledge our limitations and see ourselves as insufficient. Being one body, we need and receive as our own what others have. By mutual supply within the body of Christ, life flows from one member to another. The mouth member speaks forth what the Lord is saying, the ear member hears what the Lord is saying, the eye member sees the body needs which the Lord is supplying, and the feet members put into effect what the Lord is saying. Every body member belongs to and is benefited by body fellowship.

Ephesians 4:16 "from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. "

Every joint has direct communication with the head and each joint is the means of supplying the other joints. So while all are supplied from one source, each in turn is the means of mutual communication. The small group gives the opportunity of helpful relationships through fellowship, bringing about rich benefits.

Positionally, we are all baptised into one body (1 Corinthians 12:13 ). From past experience, spontaneous integration does not always happen. It is a known fact that in modern church life, many are spectators and few are participators. That this was not so in the first Jerusalem church is shown beyond doubt.

Acts 2:42,46 "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. ⁴⁶ And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,"

We believe there is a need for home fellowships and smaller group meetings. The Lord adds by these means, and integrates into the body those He is saving. The only way to become part of the organism in the body is through relationships. Relationships are formed through fellowships. The small group is where new members can relate and become integrated into the body as a whole. Such was the integration and participation in the body at Jerusalem that it's scattering had dynamic results.

Acts 8:1,4 "... And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. ⁴ Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. "

Members benefit from body life fellowship - it integrates them into the corporate ministry of the body.

The body of believers plays a crucial role in the nurturing of new believers.

Discipling classes, seminars and sermons are provided for the new believer. It is rare for a person to be disciplined enough to be able to study entirely on his own, and grow in knowledge.

In the fellowship of small groups, there are opportunities to see practical demonstrations of Christ-likeness. This inspires a desire to follow that example. The obedience of mature believers challenges the beginner to like obedience. There is instruction through the mutual sharing of what God is doing in individual lives. Prayer life is stimulated by relating answered prayer, devotion births devotion and consistency births consistency. Paul deliberately sets an example for others to follow, and tells Timothy to do the same.

2 Thessalonians 3:9 "not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us."

1 Timothy 4:12 "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

Through relationships the growth of others is speeded up.

Individual believers can grow cold in their faith. They may not recognise this in their solitary state, havoc can be wrought by this dangerous condition. Loners and drifters are particularly vulnerable to the enemy's deception. The symptoms are quickly recognised and can be remedied by the body. The warmth of body contact revives those who have left the corporate body who are out of fellowship, having no relationship.

There are numerous testimonies of how involvement in the body brought indication of some hindrance to blessing and growth, and how this led to forgiveness and freedom. Daily encouragement by saints can protect one from an unbelieving condition. Undetected sin leads to hardness of heart, by sin's deceitfulness. Read prayerfully:

Hebrews 3:12,13 "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. ¹³ But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."

Thank the Lord for the encouragement, protection, indication and exposure that comes through body fellowship.

Mutual involvement of committed lives provides motivation for godly living.

Hebrews 10:24,25 "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: ²⁵ Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

Invigorated by the incitement to love and good deeds, body members find it difficult to stay away. They find themselves irresistibly drawn to their own company where they are challenged, fortified.

Fellowship inspires worshipful experiences, the product of body ministry.

Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

Fellowship inspires sharing burdens. What blessing and release comes from such sharing!

Galatians 6:2 "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. "

Fellowship inspires sharing needs on a very practical level.

Acts 2:45 "And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. "

Fellowship inspires involvement in prayer sharing, "and in prayers" (Acts 2:42 KJV) that results in more personal prayer. These are just some of the benefits that are a direct result of fellowship in small groups. Every member is expected to do his part. The Lord will command the blessing.