Fellowship - now refers to casual conversation, socializing, food, and fun
Jesus knew that 12 was the maximum size for a group for everyone to participate
In real fellowship people experience...
... Authenticity
Honest with who you are - otherwise we are just fooling ourselves - 1 John 1:7-8
Requires courage and humility
We only grow by taking risks - being honest is a major risk
... Mutuality (Romans 1:12)
Depending on each other
Sharing responsibility
Mutual accountability
... Sympathy
Sharing pain of others (Colossians 3:12)
Meet needs of being understood and the validation of our feelings
Self-Pity dries up sympathy for others
Times of crisis, grief, doubt when we need each other the most
... Mercy
Can't have fellowship without forgiveness
Bitterness and resentment always destroys fellowship
Never be asked to forgive someone more than God has forgiven you