When movies first became available for rent on videos, there was a deep concern in Hollywood that this new business would hurt attendance at theaters. After all, if a family could pay three dollars and watch a movie in the comfort of their own home, why would they drive to a theater to pay many times more for movie tickets?
As you have witnessed, those fears proved to be unfounded. Even though people began lining up in droves to rent movies, the movie industry made an amazing discovery. Far from declining, movie attendance actually went up even as video rentals and sales went up. An analysis of this surprising trend showed that one reason people still attended movies was that things happen in a theater full of people that don’t happen in the living room.
What the theater offered was the group dynamic of a bunch of people laughing or being scared or crying together. You know that it’s easier and more enjoyable to laugh at a funny performance when everyone around you is laughing too. You almost can’t help yourself because the environment affects you.
This very same concept is true of church! Yes, there are times when we need to go into the privacy of our prayer closet in the comfort of our own space. But there are other things we can only experience in the ambiance of God’s people gathered in the church. When people who are individually indwelled by the Spirit come together for worship, praise, instruction, encouragement, and service, the Holy Spirit shows up in a powerful way, and we grow as we experience His presence together.
Read Ephesians 2:19-22. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
Reflect: In your own words explain the concept of the body as it relates to the church.
Another way to put it is that church is the life-support system for individual Christians. Just as no one expects a baby to grow on its own, God never meant for us to grow and develop spiritually solely in isolation from other believers. Spiritual growth is a group project, which should be good news to you because it means you don’t have to do it all yourself. Christians grow best in a healthy family context where they are surrounded by spiritual fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters to help them.
Read Hebrews 10:24-25. Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Reflect: Are you functioning as a member of Christ’s body or have you attempted to grow alone? Explain.
Read 1 Corinthians 12:25-27. …so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.
Reflect: Why is it important for your spiritual growth to interact with other Christians?
Reflect: Do you know a Christian who needs encouragement? How can you encourage that person? Will you do it right now?
For His Kingdom,
Tony Evans
Prayer: Lord, help me to love, nurture, encourage, minister to, and treasure as valuable the people I come in contact with at church and in the body of Christ. Help me to encourage others, knowing that I need the same encouragement and fellowship in order to grow. In Christ's name, Amen.
