Ep 61 Priscilla and Aquila, Ro 16:3-13

There are group dynamics of size that haven't changed one bit over the past 2,000 years. We might be inclined to look back on the way Jesus or the early church made disciples as a quaint relic of the past, but the truth is people today still need that same level of relationship. Being a face In a crowd isn't enough. But many of us have decided that we have to function in a "realistic" way. Those early believers simply spent too much time together. We admire them, but the part about finding time to be with other believers just doesn't work for us. And frankly, we're not sure who we'd trust enough to open up to them our hearts. There's a scary element to this. We could get trapped into something icky, or maybe we have gotten trapped into something icky in the past and promised ourselves we'd never let that happen again. So we carry on pretty much alone. We might call for prayer when there is a serious physical Illness or some other crisis, but we do the best we can by ourselves. Yet always in the back of our minds there's the hope that somebody will reach out to us; somewhere there's a place we're needed and belong, that someday this lonely walk will end, that someday we'll labor in God's harvest field sIde-by-side with others. As Paul closes this letter, he greets two dear friends who are now living in Rome. And this couple is doing there what they always do wherever they live. They've gathered believers into their home. They're the kind of people we lonely believers are always waiting for. I'm sure they must have been hospitable and welcoming by nature, but more than that they obviously understood how disciples are made. To receive a free copy of Dr. Steve Schell's book Understanding Romans, email us at [email protected] and ask for your copy at no charge. The book has all the notes from each sermon in this series. Also check out our website for additional resources for pastors and leaders. We have recorded classes and other materials offered at no charge. And if you would like to receive a copy of Pastor Steve's newest book Study Verse by Verse: Genesis at no charge, we are giving out this book as well!