Talking Tables 交谊桌
Dexu Xia
Talking Tables
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. Acts 2:46
Loneliness is one of the greatest threats to our sense of well-being, affecting our health through our behaviors on social media, food consumption, and the like. One study suggests that nearly two-thirds of all people—regardless of age or gender—feel lonely at least some of the time. One British supermarket has created “talking tables” in their store cafés as a way to foster connection between people. Those looking for human interaction simply seat themselves at a table designated for that purpose, joining others or indicating a desire to be joined. Conversation ensues, providing a sense of connection and community.
The people of the early church were committed to shared connection too. Without each other, they would likely have felt very alone in the practice of their faith, which was still new to the world. Not only did they “[devote] themselves to the apostles’ teaching” to learn what following Jesus meant, they also “[met] together in the temple courts” and “broke bread in their homes” for mutual encouragement and fellowship (Acts 2:42, 46).
We need human connection; God designed us that way! Painful seasons of loneliness point to that need. Like the people of the early church, it’s important for us to engage in the human companionship our well-being requires and to offer it to those around us who also need it.
How can you intentionally connect with someone today? How might you be overlooking opportunities for friendship?
交谊桌
他们天天同心合意恒切地在殿里。—使徒行传2章46节
孤单会严重威胁我们的身心健康，使人沉溺于社交媒体，或导致不良的饮食习惯等等。英国一项研究显示，将近三分之二的人（不论年龄或性别）都会在某些时候感到孤单。因此，英国某间超级市场就在店内的咖啡厅设立“交谊桌”，以促进人与人之间的联系。若有人需要人际互动，只需坐到桌前加入其他人，或表示希望加入对话就可以与人交谈。当他们与人谈话时，便会觉得自己与人产生联系，融入了群体。
初代教会的会众也看重彼此间的联系，如果没有彼此扶持，他们可能会在实践信仰的路上感到非常孤单，因为当时人们对基督信仰并不熟悉。所以信徒们不仅“恒心遵守使徒的教训”，明白如何跟随耶稣，他们也“天天同心合意恒切地在殿里，且在家中擘饼”，彼此鼓励和相交（使徒行传2章42、46节）。
我们都需要与人联系，这是上帝创造人类的本意！孤单所造成的痛苦，正指出了我们的确有这种需求。就像初代教会的会众一样，人与人之间的关系对我们而言也是很重要的，因这关乎我们的身心健康，所以我们应该多与人交流，也将这种联系互动带给身边有需要的人。
上帝啊，求祢帮助我们主动与人联系，让我们自己和他人同得益处！
今天你如何主动与人联系呢？
你曾在怎样的情况下，忽视与人建立友谊的机会？