Sharing Life Together – The Power of Biblical Community
Have you ever gone through a difficult season alone? It’s tough, isn’t it? God never intended for us to walk through life in isolation. We were designed for community. In this post we are going to investigate Sharing Life Together – The Power of Biblical Community. The early church modeled this beautifully:
Acts 2:42-47 (NLT) — “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer… And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”
In the early days of the church, believers didn’t just meet for worship once a week. They lived life together—eating meals, praying, learning, and supporting each other in every way. At that time, the church was facing persecution and challenges. The only way they could stay strong was through unity and shared life. Their deep fellowship was not just a cultural practice; it was a lifeline of encouragement, provision, and faith-building. This was the early church, not a building but a fellowship.
Biblical fellowship is about more than Sunday mornings; it’s about doing life together. When we share life, we grow, encourage, and strengthen one another in faith. Let’s explore what that looks like in our daily walk with Christ.
The Biblical Foundation for Sharing Life Together
God created us for relationships. Scripture continually points to the importance of togetherness:
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (KJV) — “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NLT) — “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”
This verse highlights the strength found in companionship. When life becomes difficult, having others around us provides support, guidance, and encouragement. The warning here is clear—isolation leads to struggle, while fellowship provides strength. We were never meant to handle life’s burdens alone.
Romans 12:15 (NLT) — “Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.”
This verse reminds us that true fellowship means sharing both joy and sorrow. We are called to walk alongside each other, celebrating victories and providing comfort in hardships. When we engage in genuine community, we create a space where people feel seen, valued, and loved.
Personal Story: Sharing Life Together
Before moving to Pennsylvania, Wendy and I did life together with our best friends, Bob and Bridget. They were more than best friends, they were family. We ate dinner together multiple times a week but almost every Friday and Saturday and well, Sunday was a leftover day. It was not unusual for us to get together during the week, especially on beautiful days we would sit on their front porch and share our lives. Their family became our family. Bridget’s dad was the dad I never had. A wonderful man, full of life which he passed along to all his children. We supported one another, still do, and loved one another through the challenges of life.
Since moving to Pennsylvania, Wendy and I truly experienced what it meant to share life together with her brother, his wife, and their children who live directly across the road. During the summer, we were almost always together on our back porch, watching the kids run around playing with the dogs. Weekends were spent as a family, and even during the winter, when the kids were in school, they still came over to visit. We almost always get together on Friday or Saturday nights.
Every Sunday, the kids would go to church with Wendy and me. Over time, her brother, Kevin, and his wife, Kati, started going to church with us too. It was the perfect example of doing life together—not just attending church, but truly living in community with one another.
When Wendy passed, I was afraid that it would all come to an end. But it didn’t. Now, every Buffalo Bills game is at my house, and we continue to share meals, spend time together, and support one another. Although Wendy is no longer with us, the bond we built through sharing life together in Christ remains. That is what fellowship truly looks like.
The early church thrived because they lived life as a community. They prayed together, shared meals, met each other’s needs, and built one another up in faith.
Who are the people in your life keeping your faith strong?
What Does It Mean to Truly Share Life?
Sharing life is more than just casual friendships or small talk at church. It means:
✔️ Being present in each other’s highs and lows—True fellowship means walking through life together, not just in the good times, but also in the struggles. This is what Paul calls us to in Romans 12:15, “Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.”
Being present isn’t just about physical presence—it’s about emotional and spiritual support. It looks like celebrating a friend’s victory with genuine joy and sitting in silence with someone who is grieving. Jesus modeled this beautifully when He wept with Mary and Martha before raising Lazarus (John 11:33-35).
✔️ Supporting one another in struggles—spiritually, emotionally, and practically
✔️ Breaking bread together (Acts 2:46) and fostering fellowship over meals—In biblical times, sharing a meal was more than just eating together; it was a sign of unity, peace, and deep fellowship. In the early church, meals were a way for believers to connect, encourage one another, and strengthen their faith.
Even Jesus emphasized the power of sharing meals, from eating with sinners and tax collectors (Luke 5:29-32) to the Last Supper (Luke 22:19-20), where He used a meal to establish the new covenant.
✔️ Encouraging one another in faith and accountability— True fellowship goes beyond companionship; it involves challenging and uplifting each other in our spiritual walk. Proverbs 27:17 reminds us, “As iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”
🙌 Reflection: Who in your life needs encouragement or support right now? How can you show up for them this week?
Practical Ways to Share Life with Others
Not sure where to start? Here are some practical ways to build strong biblical community:
💡 Join or start a small group or Bible study. Small groups are where real growth happens. They provide a space for deep discussions, accountability, and spiritual support. Acts 2:42-47 shows us that the early church thrived by studying the Word, praying, and sharing life together.
💡 Practice hospitality. Hospitality was a cornerstone of biblical fellowship. In the early church, opening one’s home was more than a gesture of kindness—it was an act of deep spiritual connection and unity. Romans 12:13 reminds us to “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”
💡 Be intentional. Building strong Christian relationships doesn’t happen by accident—it requires effort and consistency. Being intentional means taking time to check in on friends, setting aside distractions, and prioritizing deep connections.
💡 Serve together. Serving others is one of the most powerful ways to strengthen relationships within the body of Christ. When we work alongside one another to meet needs, we build deeper bonds and reflect Christ’s love in action. Galatians 5:13 reminds us, “Serve one another humbly in love.”
📌 Challenge: Pick one way to deepen your fellowship this week and commit to it!
The Blessings and Rewards of Sharing Life Together
The blessings of biblical community are countless. When we share life together, we experience the fullness of God’s design for fellowship, which leads to spiritual growth, encouragement, and a powerful testimony to the world.
- ✅ Strengthened faith — “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)
- ✅ Joy and encouragement — “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
- ✅ A testimony to the world — “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)
📌 Think about Jesus and His disciples. They walked, ate, and lived together daily. Their fellowship wasn’t just about worship—it was about life itself.
Caring for Those Who Are Grieving
One of the most powerful ways we can share life together is by supporting those who are grieving, especially those who have lost a spouse and now live alone.
If you know someone who has lost a loved one, pay close attention to them. One of the hardest parts of the grieving process is the overwhelming loneliness that comes with it. Satan uses that loneliness to attack them, whispering lies like:
- “You’re no longer needed.”
- “No one cares about you.”
- “Look at what God did to you.”
These attacks can be relentless, so we must help thwart Satan’s lies by reminding those who grieve that they are loved, needed, and not forgotten.
📌 Practical Ways to Help:
- Send a text — A simple, “Thinking of you today” can mean the world to someone who feels alone.
- Make a call — Even if you don’t know what to say, just letting them know you care can be uplifting.
- Visit them — Loneliness is most painful when the house is empty. Being physically present can bring comfort.
- Invite them to events — Even if they say no, continue to include them so they know they are still part of the community.
📌 Personal Reflection: I have walked this path. Without this blog and a driving sense of purpose, I could have easily spent days in bed having a daily pity party. Every time I started to drift into that place, a text would come from Cousin Carol, my good friend Bridget, my daughter Mandy, Kevin, Kati or one of the men from church like Pastor Max.
For those going through this process, a little bit of special attention can mean everything. I am thankful for those who took care of me—that’s what Sharing Life Together truly looks like.
🙌 Reflection: Who in your life might need extra care and encouragement today? Take a moment to reach out and remind them that they are not alone.
Overcoming Barriers to Genuine Fellowship
Many people long for deep Christian relationships but struggle to find them. Here are some common barriers and ways to overcome them:
❌ Fear of vulnerability → Take small steps to open up to trusted believers. Vulnerability can be scary, but it is essential for genuine fellowship. It means allowing others to see the real you—your joys, struggles, and faith journey.
📌 Biblical Example: Peter struggled with fear and failure, yet after denying Jesus, he was restored by Christ’s love and later became a bold leader in the early church (John 21:15-19). His transformation happened within the support of his faith community.
❌ Busyness & distractions → Make fellowship a priority, just like Jesus did. Even in His busiest moments, Jesus never neglected fellowship and community. Despite the demands of His ministry, He took time to eat with His disciples (Luke 22:14-20), visit friends like Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (Luke 10:38-42), and engage in personal conversations that strengthened relationships (John 4:7-26).
📌 Example: Before facing the cross, Jesus prioritized time with His disciples at the Last Supper, teaching and encouraging them one final time. This shows that no matter how demanding life gets, relationships should never be secondary.
❌ Feeling disconnected or unworthy → Know that God created you for community. Seek His guidance in finding the right people. It’s easy to believe the lie that we don’t belong, but God has designed each of us for fellowship. Psalm 68:6 says, “God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains.” If you are feeling alone, trust that God has a place for you within His church.
📌 Encouragement: If you struggle with feeling disconnected, start with small steps. Join a Bible study, attend a church event, or even just reach out to one person. Rejection is not the end—God has the right people waiting for you.
💡 Encouragement: If you feel alone, pray for God to bring the right people into your life—and be willing to step out in faith when He does!
Links to Other Parts of This Series
- Part 1: Understanding the Importance of Fellowship
- Part 2: Loving One Another
- Part 3: Bearing Each Other’s Burdens
- Part 4: Praying for One Another
- Part 5: Encouraging One Another
- Poem: The Joy of Fellowship
- Poem: Fellowship’s Embrace
- Poem: Love in Action
- Poem: Burdened Together, Blessed Together
- Poem: The Gift of Prayer
- Poem: Encouragement Gone Wrong (And Right!)
- Poem: Life on the Porch: Where Fellowship Grows
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Final Thought
We are stronger together than we are alone. Let’s commit to sharing life in Christ daily! 🙏💙
