Amid Coronavirus Lockdown: Keep Fellowshiping!
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Much of the world is in lockdown. Many of God’s people are confined to their homes. Even Church services have been canceled. What times we are living in! How quickly the world can change!

God’s people need fellowship. We need regular contact with each other. Each year we especially look forward to the holy days as an opportunity to assemble and enjoy personal contact with the Family of God.

Yet this year, even that will be denied most of us. As long as we are unable to meet together, we must exert special effort to reach out to one another and draw strength, support, encouragement and inspiration from our spiritual family.

The Apostle Paul exhorted God’s people: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). Given the acceleration of prophetically significant events, we should “see the day” of Christ’s return approaching more than ever! Thus, when physical limitations prevent us from assembling together, we need to exercise some resourcefulness to keep the fellowship going remotely.

Last Sabbath, I spent about an hour and a half on three different video calls with different families spread out across North America. We were able to enjoy some superb fellowship on God’s Sabbath day despite being unable to meet together physically. Applications like Skype or FaceTime make this very attainable for many of us.

Call someone on the phone for some fellowship. Send someone an e-mail of encouragement. Write a letter. Send a card.

Remember Jesus Christ’s admonition to Simon Peter: “[W]hen thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:32).

Think especially of those who are stuck at home by themselves or perhaps with unconverted family members. Many of us do enjoy the support of family or others in the Church we live with, and have at least some personal contact with others of like mind. Those who are physically or spiritually isolated may especially feel the effects of this quarantine. Sabbath fellowship is a real lifeline, something they looked forward to and drew necessary spiritual strength from each week.

If you are one of those isolated members, don’t let loneliness get the better of you. Be sure to reach out to others.

We have put together a few articles from our archives you may find encouraging and helpful prods to extend yourself in fellowship during this unusual time. Look at the headlines below and click the links for the ones that may especially apply to you. Make the effort! Connect! Now more than ever, we need to encourage one another and build God’s Family!