I’m a member of a local walking group; each week about ten of us take to the woods around our village, chatting as we go. It does us good both physically and socially. “Physical exercise has some value”, the Bible tells us (1 Timothy 4.8); but there is also value in spiritual exercises. We can do such exercises like praying and meditating on the Bible by ourselves, but God has instituted a spiritual “walking group” to help us on our way.

That walking group is also called the “church” – by which term the Bible does not mean a building built for worship, but rather the local group of people who have put their trust in Jesus, and who gather together to worship the Lord. In all probability, we are not the only ones in our locality who are called to follow Jesus.

Since we trusted Christ, we are now in God’s family, his sons and daughters, and we find encouragement by talking with those who are older in the faith than we are. Taking part in a spiritual “walking group” means benefitting from attending a church fellowship where we can learn from our brothers and sisters in Christ. This is good for your spiritual health. The church gathers together week by week not only to worship God and sing his praises, but also to encourage one another in the faith by hearing God’s Word preached and by praying together. 

God knew that we would have a social need of spiritual encouragement as we grow in faith: the walking group is there to accompany us on our journey, to share our difficulties and pray for us, and to guide us in our lives as disciples of Jesus.

If you are not already involved in a church, find out where the nearest and best one is. They come in all shapes and sizes. It may be wise to try out a few by visiting them just once – if you have the privilege to have several in your area. Then you may choose to affiliate yourself by attending regularly the church you feel is most helpful to you.

That church should be one that respects the value of the Bible as the source of our faith, and treats it as the sure and reliable guide for our life in Christ. The church leaders should explain the Bible’s teachings clearly, establishing your faith on the truth of what God has revealed in his Word, the Bible. Your faith will be encouraged, clarified, and nourished and will grow in wisdom and understanding. This will happen as you learn to treat the Bible as the ultimate source of authoritative truth for knowing God. It is, in fact, a revelation from God, given by inspiration through men of God in Bible times, God’s prophets and Christ’s apostles. This revelation gives you truth from God that our own thinking cannot discover by ourselves.

In your local church fellowship you will find pastoral help with any difficulties you may have: the walking group may know the way better than you and will gladly share their experiences to help you. Jesus commanded his disciples to “love one another” (John 15.12), so connecting with other believers should be a positive experience. And you will be glad to associate with those who share your faith; you will find a spiritual family who love Jesus as you do and who will be helpful to you in many ways. And you can also help them as you develop opportunities to serve the Lord according to the way he has gifted you.

Clive Every-Clayton