Day 3: A DiscipleShift Requires a FellowShift

Discipleshift

• We are told to “go fish,” but what exactly are we looking to accomplish? Disciples. For us to make disciples, we need to have a discipleshift. For the church to realize a true discipleshift we must experience a shift in our fellowship, a fellowshift.

Fellowshift—mutual and common exchange of the heart

• Fellowship is so much more than games on the weekend or a simple meal after a service; however, it may start and continue in that context.
• The restaurant and games simply provide the space for koinoia. Stan Gleason in Follow to Lead describes koinoia as “a mutual and common exchange of hearts, faith, and experience.” True fellowship is true connection, communication, participation and contribution with each other and to our lives.
• Today many people are experience koinoia outside of the church, believe it or not. In gyms and studios all over people are gaining a mutual experience together where they eventually open up to share their hearts and even beliefs (faith). They are creating koinoia communities.

On a scale of 1-10, how much koinoia do you experience in your local church?

On a scale of 1-10, how much do you contribute to a culture of koinoia in your local church? What would need to happen for you to feel more connected, and provide more connection?

Write your observations down in your prayer journal. Consider sharing them in your growth group this week.

Final Thoughts

If we are to have a dischipleshift, we must have a fellowshift and develop true relationships with people. We must share experiences and create opportunity to share many diverse experiences. In those experiences we can begin to share our hearts and show our faith. This means we can begin to share our testimony as an epistle—our encouraging letter. In that way, the Spirit and working power of the Lord becomes real to others long before they crack open a Bible or walk into the building we call “church.”

When you’re reading the scriptural devotions, consider the type of community and fellowship that is being talked about in the word. Pay attention to any words underlined and in bold, because that is the English translation of the Greek word koinoia and reflect on how your idea of fellowship is expanded by seeing koinoia in different biblical translations.

Biblical Devotion

Acts 2:42-47  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.  (43)  And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.  (44)  And all that believed were together, and had all things common;  (45)  And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.  (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,  (47)  Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Romans 15:26-27  For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.  (27)  For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.

1 Corinthians 10:16-17  The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?  (17)  Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.

2 Corinthians 8:2-5  How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.  (3)  For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;  (4)  Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.  (5)  And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

Philemon 1:6  That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

1 John 1:6-7  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:  (7)  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.