This Month's Theme: Divine Fellowship
Unload the Wagons!
When John Fawcett, the pastor of a small church in a small town in England, was invited to take over the pastorate at Carter’s Lane Baptist Church in London, he readily agreed. After all, his current salary was small and his family was growing. He needed the money.
Fawcett preached his farewell sermon and loaded up his family's wagons.
As his parishioners stood around, his wife turned to him tearfully and declared she couldn't bear to leave the church family they had grown to love.
Pastor Fawcett confessed to feeling the same way and then suddenly began to unload the wagons. He was determined to stay and stay he did.
Fawcett wrote “Blest Be the Tie that Binds” to commemorate his decision and he stayed at Wainsgate Baptist Church in West Yorkshire, England the rest of his life.
Hymn Study Outline
Our Divine Fellowship Is:
Blessed & Permanent (Stanza 1), Unified & Prayerful (Stanza 2), Supportive & Sympathetic (Stanza 3)
Because Our Divine Hope:
Connects Us (Stanza 4), Revives Us (Stanza 5) and Frees Us (Stanza 6)
Read & Relate
Blest be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the fellowship of kindred minds
is like to that above.
Col. 3:14, Eph. 4:16, 1 John 4:8, 1 John 1:7, 2 Cor. 13:11, Ps. 136:26
Before our Father's throne
we pour our ardent prayers;
our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
our comforts and our cares.
Heb. 4:16, Rom. 8:34, Matt. 18:20, James 5:16, Ps. 62:8, 1 Cor. 1:10, 2 Cor 13:11
We share our mutual woes,
our mutual burdens bear,
and often for each other flows
the sympathizing tear.
2 Cor. 8:1-7, Gal. 6:2, Matt. 11:28, Col. 3:16, 1 Peter 3:8, 2 Cor. 1:3-4
When we are called to part,
it gives us inward pain;
but we shall still be joined in heart,
and hope to meet again.
Acts 20:37-38, Ps. 30:5, Ps. 34:18, Col. 2:2-5, 1 Thess. 4:13-18
This glorious hope revives
our courage by the way;
while each in expectation lives
and waits to see the day.
1 Thess. 1:3, Isa 40:31, Rom. 12:12, John 14:27, Deut. 31:6, Eph. 1:18, 1 Peter 1:13, Titus 2:11-14
From sorrow, toil, and pain,
and sin, we shall be free;
and perfect love and friendship reign
through all eternity.
1 Peter 5:10, John 16:33, Rom. 8:18, 1 Cor. 13:12, Ps. 16:11, Rev. 21:4
Reflect & Respond
What will our relationships look like in Heaven? How does that change the way we view others today?
Prayer: Lord, you love the church. Help me to love the church like you do. Thank you for tying us all together with your love and and our shared hope of Heaven. Amen.
Related Hymns for Life Member Resources
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The Study Guide
Our latest Hymn Study Guide provides you with a Quick Study Reference Sheet and six stanza studies to help you reflect through our hymn and connect it more firmly in biblical truth.
Print: Before Our Father's Throne
Keep a reminder of our Christian fellowship where you can see it as you live your day.
Print and post this print on your fridge or bulletin board, clip in a photo holder or place in a 5 x 7 photo frame.
Printable and Shareable Greeting Cards
Our Father's Throne
Kindred Minds
Blest Tie
Hymns for Life Resource Library
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