Koinōnia

Jon Hasselbeck God designed humans to crave and thrive in relationships. We were not meant to live in isolation, but in communion with Him and with others. The most important relationship we will ever have is with God. The disciples John and Peter described their relationship with Jesus when He walked on earth (1 John 1:1-4, 2 Peter 1:16) using the Greek word koinōnia. Their relationship with Jesus was real, intimate, based on personal experience, and they were eyewitnesses of His ministry. It wasn't just fables and stories - they knew Him personally. Koinōnia means a relationship that is close, full of breadth and depth. God wants the same intimate relationship with each and every one of us, and promises this through the Holy Spirit that dwells within us. In addition, He wants us to have the same deep personal relationship with one another, breaking bread, praying with one another with glad and sincere hearts (Acts 2:44 -46). We were created for fellowship and community. Everyone yearns to be known, and everyone yearns to belong. In order for us to truly know other people, we must first know (ginṓskō) God intimately. It is only then we know what He thinks of us, that we learn how to see understand others. It is only when we know that we are accepted, that we can accept others. And finally, it is only when we know we are loved, that we know how to love others. This ginṓskō can take place in a large corporate setting such as Sunday morning service as well as in small community groups (Acts 2:44-46). Community groups can provide us an intimate space and place in our evolution as Christians from children to fathers (1 John 2:12-13). Together, in our small community groups, we can encourage and lift each other up. As what was shared in Sandy's testimony, community groups can provide a "feeling of belonging, and connecting to something more than yourself". God never intended for any of us to live the Christian life alone. Being in part of community empowers us to know God and make Him known.