Read Hebrews 10:23-25
23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. (NLT)
Discover
1. What do you learn about the character of God in these verses, particularly verse 23?
2. What are we encouraged to not neglect?
3. Why are we told to do this?
Respond
These verses in Hebrews speak directly and indirectly to the regular gathering of believers. They directly state to not neglect meeting together, but they also imply it in the encouragement to hold tightly to hope without wavering and to motivate one another to love and good works. Both of these things – holding tightly to hope and motivating others – don’t happen in isolation. They’re a result of standing shoulder to shoulder with other believers.
Life grinds us down, but the gathering builds us up. It reminds us that we’re part of something much bigger. We gather not just to get our needs and preferences met but to serve others, and in that act of selflessness, we find fulfillment. This is why we gather as a church and why the gathering matters for each of us as individuals.
Here are some next steps you can take:
How You Can Pray
Thank God for providing a space where you can gather with other believers to grow, serve, and be encouraged. Acknowledge where you’ve neglected to meet with other believers or perhaps have gathered with the wrong motives. Ask Him to renew your hope and motivation as you prioritize the gathering each week.
What You Can Do
If you’ve neglected meeting together with other believers recently, make a commitment today to come back. If you participate in the gathering but sense there’s more for you to experience, consider joining a serving team as a way to encourage others who walk through the church doors.