A Time for Fellowship

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by Sabrina Peabody

Submitted December 7, 2011

In many schools across the United States administrators and teachers are implementing the Responsive Classroom approach. In a Responsive Classroom, a teacher sets up a time for the class to meet together in the day, normally in the morning for what is called “Morning Meeting.”

In Morning Meetings, the teacher and students get to spend time together building class continuity. First they greet one another, have a time for sharing, do a group activity and then end with news and announcements. The meeting is also used for things such as setting up classroom routines, modeling appropriate behaviors and discussing changes in the classroom. If there ever was a need to address problems within the class, there was an appointed time that could be used to discuss logical consequences and practice problem solving strategies. This special time for Morning Meeting had to be set aside in the school day, but it was time well spent!

An appointed time

Morning Meeting emphasizes the importance of fellowship in a classroom environment, which has a direct effect on student success socially, emotionally and academically. But did you know that God has given us a means such as this to help us become a more cohesive group of Christians?

In the Bible, God commanded that His people meet every week for a holy convocation or assembly called the Sabbath (Exodus 20:10But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
See All...). Fellowship on the Sabbath gives us the opportunity to grow in our understanding of God’s laws, how to implement those laws in our daily life, and gives us a time to build relationships with our Church family on a weekly basis. Sabbaths and Holy Days are our meetings where God’s ministers remind us of our purpose and God’s plan for mankind. Promoting solidarity and providing a chance to praise God and give thanks in unity, these holy times set God’s people apart (Exodus 31:13Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.
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Promote harmony with action

In Greek, fellowship is koinónia . Strongs defines it as contribution, participation or sharing. The meaning implies there is action when we fellowship; action which includes using our talents and spiritual gifts such as service, faith and hospitality. Remember, our gifts are not in conflict with one another but rather are complementary.

God’s people are told not to forsake assembling together but to rather exhort one another and consider one another to stir up love and good works (Hebrews 10:25Not 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.
See All...). When we ask someone how their week was or what we can pray about for them, or perhaps even open up about our own burdens, we are bringing the Body together and helping mend what needs repairing (Ephesians 4:16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
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When we have open, honest communication on a regular basis in which we speak the truth in love, we will have an unparalleled relationship with one another--as David said, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Psalms 133:1-3 [1] (A Song of degrees of David.) Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
[2] It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
[3] As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

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Paul writes in Acts 2:42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
See All... to continue “steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Fellowshipping will help us better understand one another as well as God’s Word and will edify the Body so that the Bride is ready for Christ when He returns. So use that special time that is set aside each week to fellowship. Invite someone over for a meal. Seek to encourage one another. Spend quality time with the brethren and you will be a Christian who understands the value of the Sabbath, a time for fellowship.