Biblical Answer

The power of gathering for connection is rooted in the biblical concept of the church as a community of believers. In 1 Corinthians 14:1-5, 26-33, the Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of gathering together as believers to edify one another and to receive spiritual gifts. This gathering is not just a social occasion, but a spiritual one, where believers come together to give and receive in ministry, and to be strengthened in their faith. As Ephesians 4:11-16 states, the church is a body where believers are equipped for the work of service, and where they are built up in their faith.

The power of gathering for connection is also seen in the way it enables believers to experience the presence and power of God. In Colossians 3:16, Paul writes that believers should let the word of Christ dwell in them richly, singing with gratitude in their hearts to God. This gathering together as believers allows them to experience the joy and gratitude that comes from being connected to God and to one another. Furthermore, as Ephesians 5:17-20 states, believers should not be drunk with wine, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in their hearts to the Lord.

The power of gathering for connection is also seen in the way it enables believers to be a light to the world. As Christians gather together, they become a visible expression of God's love and power in the world. They are a community that is connected to God and to one another, and this connection enables them to make a difference in the world. As the Bible states, believers should not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of their minds (Romans 12:2). By gathering together as believers, they are empowered to live out their faith in a way that reflects God's character and to be a light to the world.