All InSample

Every sub-culture has its own insider language. For example, if you work in a restaurant, the “back of the house” is the kitchen and you “86” an item when you sell out of it. 

In Christian culture, we have our own insider language, too. “Quiet time” is a personal time of prayer and Bible reading, and one of the most striking examples of Christian lingo is the word “fellowship.” 

Fellowship in modern American Christianity has evolved to mean a predetermined time of small talk, congenial interaction, and maybe some tasty snacks. However, in Acts 2:42, Luke uses the word fellowship to describe the early Christian community in a manner that might surprise you. The Greek word for fellowship is koinonia, and represents something much more significant than our present use of “fellowship” implies. Koinonia means togetherness. It parallels with a close relationship, a partnership, with a powerful sense of generosity, and mutual sharing. 

The word was a favorite expression in ancient Greek writings to describe the most intimate relationship in human experience— marriage. Representing the community of early Christ-followers as koinonia makes sense. 

The first group of Christians sold their belongings to help out other members of their community. Those early believers spent time together, prayed together, celebrated together, and ate many meals together. When we read about that first Christian community, it seems distant, too perfect, and perhaps unattainable today. We have jobs. Our kids have school. 

Who has that much margin in their schedule for koinonia? 

I believe that God did not plan for those early followers of Christ to have picturesque community and then for His followers in the 21st century to live lives of isolation. Furthermore, in every cultural context, a conversion to Christianity is almost impossible to sustain without integration into the presence of a community. 

God’s providential plan has brought you where you are today. God has brought you where you are in age, geographic location, and stage of life. And God has planned a group of people for koinonia. 

First, look at the people that God has placed around you. 

The people that you work with, that your children go to school with, or the people that live around you. Ask God to reveal to you the people that He has in mind. I have found that the prayers God answers most clearly, and most powerfully, often involve interacting with other people. 

Second, find and join a group. 

Joining a small group at your church won’t guarantee you will find koinonia, but I would challenge that there is rarely a better chance to see that unique Christian fellowship that Luke described in the book of Acts!