Awkward Fellowship

Anita Delene Manthe
Sep 1, 2016
2 min read

As Christian women, we know we are to encourage one another. This requires we make time to meet, to spend time with women who are different to us. Often we think it will be no fun because they are so unlike us! It’s not that they are horrible people, or strange and weird – we believe we don’t have a commonality. We can’t see there ever being a connection outside of church. We consider our differences as vast and any meeting or interaction with them will be uncomfortable and awkward. Can this be true? Can Christians be so different that no commonality exists on which to build a friendship?

I don’t think so! Our commonality is undeniable – it is found in the Lord. This truth does not remove those differences; it does remove self-justification – those excuses we come up with to avoid others.

Once we accept this, it becomes our responsibility to cultivate opportunities of fellowship, to build one another up in Christ. To know Him.

We can start by asking a few women to memorize a Scripture verse with us. Pick a verse from the current teaching topic your pastor is working through. Discuss practical ways to implement a memorization plan. Write it out on an index card, pasting it in different places where it will be seen. A note in their wallet, a card propped up on a computer.

Listen to their suggestions, to their plans on how they intend to implement Scripture memorization on a daily basis. Listen more than speak. Hear them out. Be gracious, patient and kind.

Agree on a time-frame in which to memorize Scripture – a week, or two weeks. Then arrange a time of meeting to talk about the verse. A neutral meeting place will be helpful, and so will definite times. To start, keep it short; an hour to an hour and a half depending on how many will attend. Have questions planned that you could ask should the conversation lapse. Ask about their family so that you can understand who your new friend is. Plan to discuss how the verse can be applied to daily living. What is the Lord teaching them, and you, through His word? How can we encourage others, family, friends, and co-workers with what the Lord is teaching us? How does the verse help remind them of what is taught in the weekly sermons? Plan the next verse to memorize, cultivate an attitude of excitement, of awe at all the riches to be found in Christ, in knowing Him through His word.

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes! With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. (Psalm 119:11-16)

Growth Plan: