WE NEED EACH OTHER

What’s the point of going to church? Have you ever wondered about why we go each Sunday, and meet for Bible studies and youth group during the week? After all, we can get everything we need on our phones and laptops: there are sermons, Bible reading plans, forums for our questions, blogs of people’s journeys with God . . . It can be tempting to stop meeting up with other Christians altogether.

How different from Jesus! He regularly went along to the synagogue, where the Jews held their services and read the Bible (LUKE 4:16). But today, many people ignore the example He lived out. They settle for a way of life where they try to go it alone, without other people to pray with them, share their struggles, help them read the Bible and give them godly advice.

Meeting with other Christians is uplifting and reassuring when we share openly and honestly. It may not be that Sunday services always offer this freedom and support, but that’s why smaller mid-week meet-ups are so important. Through services, Bible studies, youth group, prayer meetings and one-to-ones we get the teaching, inspiration and personal support we need to keep close to Jesus through everything.

We need our own personal time with God. But the Bible also warns us not to “[give] up meeting together” (HEBREWS 10:25). We need to spend time together to “spur one another on towards love and good deeds” (V.24). We need to make it our habit to spend time with other Christians. We need each other.