In what ways can we prioritize fellowship and worship as seen in Acts 20:6? Setting the Scene “After the days of Unleavened Bread, we sailed from Philippi, and five days later we reached them at Troas, where we stayed seven days.” (Acts 20:6) Paul’s team lingers a full week in Troas. That deliberate pause—right after a major feast—shows how highly they valued gathering with fellow believers before moving on. Lessons on Prioritizing Fellowship • Make room in the schedule. Paul’s missionary timetable was tight, yet he carved out seven days simply to be with the church. • Gather around shared faith milestones. Their journey is framed by Passover imagery (“Unleavened Bread”), reminding us that remembering God’s saving acts draws believers together. • Stay long enough for deep connection. A week allowed worship, meals, teaching, encouragement, and personal conversations—not a quick drop-in. • Plan travel and work around worship, not vice versa. Instead of rushing, Paul adjusted his itinerary to meet the saints. • Anticipate the first-day gathering. The very next verse shows they met “on the first day of the week” for breaking bread and preaching (Acts 20:7). Prioritizing Worship • Center on the Word. Paul’s extended teaching (Acts 20:7-11) models giving Scripture generous time. • Break bread together. Communion and shared meals strengthen unity (cf. Acts 2:42). • Embrace corporate singing and mutual exhortation (Colossians 3:16). • Choose presence over convenience. Hebrews 10:24-25 urges us not to neglect meeting together. • Value sacred rhythms. Observing biblical festivals or church calendar moments can re-orient hearts toward worship. Practical Steps for Today • Block out Sunday (or your congregation’s main service) before anything else goes on the calendar. • Arrive early, linger after—relationship often happens in the margins. • Host or attend mid-week gatherings for prayer and study; they echo Paul’s seven-day stay. • Use vacations or business trips to seek out local churches—turn travel into fellowship opportunities. • Align family routines with church life: plan meals, rest, and recreation so worship remains the week’s highlight. • Mark redemptive anniversaries—Resurrection Sunday, Pentecost, Lord’s Supper services—to keep salvation history central. Scriptures to Remember • Acts 20:6-7 – intentional, extended gathering • Acts 2:42-47 – steadfast devotion to fellowship and worship • Hebrews 10:24-25 – don’t neglect assembling • Colossians 3:16 – let the word dwell richly as you worship together • Psalm 84:10 – “For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.” |
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