KOINONIA GROUPS
Spring 2022 (Schedule at bottom of page)
Definition: Koinonia comes from the Greek word meaning
communion, joint participation; the share which one has in anything, participation, a gift jointly contributed, a collection, a contribution, etc. It identifies the idealized state of fellowship and unity that should exist within the Christian church, the Body of Christ. In the New American Standard Bible, it is translated "fellowship" twelve times, "sharing" three times, and "participation" and "contribution" twice each.
INFORMING TEXT
Acts 2:42-47 "They (Early Church) devoted themselves to the
apostles' teaching and to
fellowship, to the
breaking of bread and to
prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts (Men only?). They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts (Men, women, and children together?), praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the LORD added to their number daily those who were being saved (was this a formula for numerical growth?).
Purpose Statement
Koinonia Groups function as a multi-generational expression of the larger Body of Hope Church and are centered around the Word of God (Apostles' Teaching), Fellowship, the Lord's Supper, and Prayer. These weekly groups exist to equip believers to grow in Christ, encourage and serve one another through the development of meaningful relationships, accountability, and the use of our gifts; and provide witness to neighbors and friends by sharing and modeling the Gospel of Jesus Christ in community through evangelism and benevolence.
SPECIFICS:
Family and friends of Hope Church are invited to join one of the many Koinonia Groups that meet weekly in homes to celebrate the Lord's Supper in the context of a meal, fellowship, sing, pray, and gather around God's Word to learn and grow. Each Koinonia Group is under the direction of one or more Hope Church Elder.