Fellowship Groups
🌱 Starting a Local Fellowship Group
The Early Christian Pattern
Dear friend,
As you study God's Word and grow closer to Him, you may naturally feel the desire to connect with others who are also seeking truth and striving to follow Christ faithfully.
The good news is:
You don't need a church building, or any building, or a denomination, or any human-appointed hierarchy to gather in Jesus' name.
In fact, the early Christians met in simple, humble ways. They met mainly in homes, sometimes in fields, wherever they could gather freely, keeping Christ as their true leader and Scripture as their guide.
Let’s look together at the beautiful, simple pattern left for us in the Bible and how you can start or join a local fellowship group today.
Remember - all this material is available in 102 different languages, please share with whomever you feel will benefit.
📖 How Did Early Christians Meet?
From the very beginning, Christian gatherings were personal and spirit-led:
- They met in homes
"Greet also the church that meets at their house." - Romans 16:5 (NIV) - They devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, prayer, and sharing meals
"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." - Acts 2:42 (NIV) - They encouraged one another directly, not through a hierarchy
"Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together… but encouraging one another." - Hebrews 10:24–25 (NIV) - Christ was their head, not a human leader or organization
"He [Christ] is the head of the body, the church…" - Colossians 1:18 (NIV)
✅ They focused on relationship, not ritual.
✅ They sought truth, not tradition.
✅ They followed Jesus, not an organisation.
🌿 What About Elders?
In the beginning, your group may simply be your family and a few friends gathering informally to do some Bible reading, prayer and share encouragement.
Over time, in your group, as you all learn the Bible using this course and study units, and as you apply the principles, you may naturally recognize spiritually mature individuals, those men who are have learned and are applying scriptural truths in their own lives. They are steady, encouraging, and devoted to Christ. You may view them as "Elders".
- See the study unit "A Proper View of Christian Elders"
✅ Elders were servant-helpers not judges or rulers
✅ Maturity, not title, was what mattered.
✅ Christ remained the true Head.
In your fellowship group, if in time some spiritually mature ones emerge naturally, they will help gently shepherd and care for members of the group out of genuine compassion, always in humility, love, and in service to Christ.
🌿 What Does a Fellowship Group Look Like Today?
A healthy, Bible-based fellowship group could include:
- 📖 Reading and discussing Scripture (letting the Bible itself speak)
- 🙏 Praying together for wisdom, strength, and each other
- 🎶 Singing or listening to encouraging songs if you wish
- 🗣️ Encouraging open, respectful conversations no need for "experts" or titles
- ❤️ Building genuine friendships based on Christ's love
- 🎁 Helping one another practically (if someone is sick, in need, or discouraged)
✨ A Few Important Biblical Principles
| Principle | Scripture |
|---|---|
| Christ is the only head of the congregation | Colossians 1:18 |
| All are brothers and sisters, no titles needed | Matthew 23:8–10 |
| Love must guide everything | John 13:34–35 |
| Truth matters more than traditions | John 4:24 |
| Meet together to encourage each other | Hebrews 10:24–25 |
🌎 Practical Tips for Starting a Fellowship Group
"Where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." - Matthew 18:20
🌿 Where to meet?
If it's your own family and a known friend or two then your home is probably most comfortable, but sometimes you may decide to meet up in a cafe, coffee bar, park for some mutual encouragement. The choice is yours.
If someone who you have not met before would like to join in, it would usually be prudent to meet in a public place first. (Matthew 10:16)
🌟 Would you like some help?
We understand that beginning something new can feel exciting, but also a little overwhelming. That’s why we’ve prepared a simple, free resource to help you:
📖 Fellowship Group Starter Pack (PDF)
This includes:
• A simple, flexible meeting outline that makes your gatherings easy to organise
• Tips on adjusting your meetings to fit your group’s needs and personalities
• Helpful suggestions on keeping things orderly and joyful, following Paul's advice:
"Let all things take place decently and by arrangement." — 1 Corinthians 14:40
• Encouragements to stay centred on the Bible and love, not setting rules
✅ It's designed to help you create meetings that are natural, respectful, and spirit-led.
There is no cost, it’s completely free, because spiritual friendship should never be for sale!
✨ How to Receive the Starter Pack
• Simply email us, and we'll send you the Fellowship Group Starter Pack PDF.
• As this outreach grows, more support tools and ideas will become available to help small fellowship groups around the world.
The Fellowship Group Starter Pack PDF is available in 102 different languages.
Email address: starter ( at ) GodsGobalPlan.org
🌿 Remember:
It’s not about perfection, it's about faith, love, and walking together under Christ's leadership.
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works." — Hebrews 10:24 (ESV)
We’re here to help and to encourage you to be confident, strong, and free in Christ.
🌎 Share the Good News
If you would like to follow Jesus' command to share the God News of the Kingdom: "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone." - Mark 16:15, then here is a resource that you may wish to use.
In our modern age, we can use many methods to "go into the world" e.g. SMS, Email, Social media. You can use the image below to print out physical leaflets or to send via email or social media to your contacts.
Also, as part of your personal ministry, feel free to make use of AI. Select one of our articles, use AI to summarize it and post on social media with a link to this website. That way you be guiding others to the truth just a Jesus requested - Matthew 28:19-20
If printing, you can also add your phone number or email address so that people can contact you, if you wish.
Of course, for your own safety, please use discretion.
If you are using a mobile device like a smart phone, you may be able to just press on the image and share immediately - give it a try!
Feel free to create your own versions.
Please send us your best version and we'll add it to the starter pack to help others.
john (at) GodsGobalPlan.org
( We'll also occasionally update this website below with one of your suggestions)
📖 Our Role at "God's Global Plan"
The goal of God’s Global Plan is simple and pure:
✅ To help spread the Good News of God's Kingdom
✅ To help faithful ones connect, grow, and support one another
✅ To provide clear, Bible-based material freely, without hierarchy or control
We do this mainly through:
📖 Publishing the Free Online Bible Course
📰 Offering the Study Units for spiritual growth
🔗 Providing materials you can share in your personal ministry
— like small posts for social media, email, WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.
🌍 Helping local fellowship groups develop.
📰 Supplying study material that can be used at fellowship groups.
🌍 Providing a Global Directory so that you can find a Local Fellowship Group
We have a small office in London, UK where we prayerfully develop the Bible-based information and do our best to get the word out via social media and other online efforts. We also enjoy feedback from the fellowship groups. Presently we do our best to cover the costs privately.
