Pastoral Letters

Be Part of a Cell Group or Fellowship

January 17, 2016 Author:Elder Lui Kerh Li
Many things can lead us astray in our faith journey.  We are surrounded by all sorts of media and publications, as well as non-Christian family members, colleagues and friends, who are influencing us incessantly with values and ways of life that are of the world.  At times, we also experience various kinds of hardships that may erode our faith in the Lord.  Hence it is almost impossible for us to remain steadfast in our faith if we were to run this faith journey alone.  Thank God that our Lord understands our weaknesses and we have been placed in His Church.  Here, we receive encouragements from the community of believers when we are downcast.  We also experience care and comfort from brethren when we are weary, and we can share our worries and concerns.  When we fall into temptations, there are people around us to keep us from falling; when we are lost in the maze of life, there are people around to give us wise counsel.  As noted in the Book of Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour:  If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.  But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.  Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.  But how can one keep warm alone?  Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

Our Lord uses brethren in the church to uphold one another and watch over one another in love.  Should we, however, choose to shut ourselves off, forbidding others to know you better, or be disinterested in building deeper relationshipd with one another, if we are unwilling to spend time in this regard, it will be difficult for us to really receive the care and help that God administers through brethren in church.

Cell groups and fellowship groups in church are here to provide a fertile ground for relationships amongst brethren to blossom.  Through our weekly Sunday School meeting and additional regular meet-ups, we learn more about one another as we share our thoughts, struggles, and emotions.  With this, we can then extend our care to each other in deeper and more practical ways.  As we give, we also receive God’s love.  Of course, conflicts are unavoidable when we get close to each other because we are all sinners.  But “as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17).  With God’s love that empowers us to forgive, love, and edify one another, I am sure that cell groups or fellowships will be a blessing to you.  At the beginning of the year, I would like to encourage you to get more involved in a cell group or a fellowship.  First, please join Sunday’s Bible Study regularly.  Always take note of other meetings and avail yourself for them.  During the meetings, be ready to share your life with one another.  Care for others more proactively.  More importantly, we should continue our interactions beyond cell group or fellowship meetings.  Keep in touch with one another through phone calls, messages, or over a meal.  With a closer relationship, our care for each other will naturally become better.

Do you have good friend in church, a person whom you can share your thoughts, joy, aspirations and all things in life, a person who can run along with you in your faith journey?  It is time for you to seek and build such friendships, if you had not done so.  This year, in a cell group or fellowship, we want to help you to have such a spiritual buddy and grow together in Christ.  “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! … For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore” (Psalm 133).