Helping each other grow in our faith

Romans 1:12 (NCV)

I want us to help each other with the faith we have.  Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you. 

Romans 1:8-17 teaches about four attitudes of spiritual growth

1.   Thankfulness (v 8)

2.   Humility (v 12)

3.   Eagerness (v 15)

4.   Boldness (v 16)

Verse 12 teaches about humility.  The apostle Paul who wrote Romans was a great leader and teacher, but was also willing to learn from others.  The word “help” comes from the Greek word “sumparakaleo” that literally means “console jointly” or “comfort together” or, as other translations use, “encourage together”.  Isn’t that a great word?  Should we not all benefit from practicing with one another “sumparakaleo”?   Each person reading these words right now should be part of a fellowship group where sumparakaleo is practiced and everyone benefits.  If you are part of a life group, can you affirm that the individual and collective faith of the group is helping you?  If not, you need to find another fellowship group.  But, hopefully, if so, celebrate this fact and do all you personally can to enable others’ faith to grow as you experience your own faith growing. 

I have been part of a life group (we call it home group) of 10 couples that have been together for over 20 years.  We try to meet every second Saturday evening of each month.  In the first few years one or two of us was responsible for the teaching.  As everyone in the group started growing spiritually as they allowed the Lord to lead them, the group has evolved such that every single person in this group can now lead/teach others whenever the group meets in their home.  Each of us now learn and grow from one another as we each experience “sumparakaleo” practiced every time we meet.  Plus each person now has his/her own influence over many others wherever they live, work, and worship (we all used to be part of the same church congregation, now there are at least six churches represented in the group; we stuck together despite moving to other churches).  It has been one of the best aspects of my life and it keeps getting better.  It is my prayer that each person reading this will also have a similar experience with a group of Christians that help, encourage, console, and comfort one another.