Puyallup Elementary Blog

November’s Spiritual Theme 

Have you ever noticed there are some things we do better by ourselves? Riding a bike, taking a test, and driving a car are examples that come to mind. Doing these things with the help of others could lead to disastrous consequences, such as suffering personal injury, getting an automatic F on a test for cheating, or even totaling a car. Completing these tasks are best done on our own.

On the other hand, there are things we do in life that are done best in the presence, and with the help and support, of other people—things like winning on a sports team, performing in a choir, or playing a band concert. After all, who can win a championship without the help and support of teammates or a coach? Who can sing multiple parts at once? Who wants to play a concert in an empty stadium? It could even be argued that completing some or all of these things is impossible without the help and support of others.

The older I get, the more convinced I am that the journey of faith is one of those things best done alongside others. There are times, even, when we face challenges that are impossible to overcome without the connection of love, support, and encouragement we have with the people of God around us. The Bible labels this connection fellowship—encouragement we feel as a result of being connected to others through our connection to Christ.

Throughout the month of November, we will be exploring the Bible’s perspective on what it means for us to have unshakeable fellowship. This unshakeable fellowship begins with Jesus. We will look at how Jesus—as a result of His life, death, and resurrection—defeated sin and death, the very things that prevented us from having fellowship with each other and with Him. We will look at people like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who stood strong in the middle of the fiery flames as a result of the connection they had with God and each other. We will learn about people like John Wesley, who facilitated small groups of fellowship for men and women that would spur on revival in churches throughout England during the 18th century. Our students will see and experience firsthand that unbreakable bond of connection we experience with God and His people in our lives, as well as the amazing resource that connection can be for us as we make our way through the journey of faith.

My prayer is that this month all of us as a community, including our students, would discover unity as a result of the fellowship we have with God and with each other. Blessings!