Explore new horizons of a living faith
These pages are designed to aid study or investigation for Christian discipleship through individual Bible study, Cell groups, Home groups, or meeting one to one. The questions could be used alone allowing each person to use their own Bible.
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 2 Cor 5:17
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Introduction
‘Its a real community’. ‘They are the nicest group I know’. ‘There is a real concern for one another.’ ‘When I was in trouble they were right there for me.’ These are all comments that have been consistently made through the years.
When we enter into a relationship with God as His children, we are not alone, countless other millions have entered into a similar relationship. Since we are all children of God, we are also brothers and sisters in Christ. We are one huge spiritual family, with all the sort of relational dynamics that families produce.
Bible Zone
The Bible gives some great insight into what church is all about.
- Purpose of Church - The church is for building us up together in unity of faith.
- Ideal Church - What the ideal looked like right after Jesus’ death - all together.
- Love in the Church - The life of the church helps us develop in love.
- Gifts in the Church - The Lord gives us gifts so we can all contribute.
The church is a community. In an individual age people ask, why we should go to church? Or even, what is the point of church. These questions show our lack of understanding of the benefits of the community found in church. The church is not just there for our personal benefit, but has an impact on everyone in the community. The result of building one another up is maturity in Christ. We cannot achieve this alone.
- How does being built up together lead to this sort of result?
- How does Jesus figure in this arrangement?
- What part could you play to build up others?
Ephesians 4:14-17 14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
The ideal church that existed in the first months after Jesus’ death and the coming of the Holy Spirit, whom He promised. This examples answers many questions about what is a church? This is Acts 2
- What were the relationships like among the believers?
- How would the believers meet?
- How did people relate to God in the light of all this?
Acts 2:43-47 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
Sadly, a couple called Ananaias and Saphira brought this wonderful state to an end. Following their sin (lying to the Holy Spirit of God) distrust entered the church and it has never been the same since. Some criticize the church saying, isn’t the church full of hypocrites? This act was the beginning of this process. Though sadly some do not live up to the ideal of the church, the love of God is able to overcome this.
Those who believe in Jesus should band together. Love, which is the focus of the Christian life is difficult to develop in isolation. So, a big purpose of the church is for us to share with one another in love.
- How is our being together described?
- How is God involved with our being together?
- What is one way in which you could show this kind of love in the coming weeks?
Ephesians 4:2-6 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love.3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism,6 and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.
God has given various gifts to various people for the building up of the whole. The church is valuable because it enables us to encourage others, or minister to others through the gifts God gives each one of us. More ..
- What gifts are mentioned?
- What is the aim of the gifts?
Ephesians 4: 7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ.. ...
Ephesians 4:11-13. 11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.12 Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.
I hope that this answers the questions: What is the point of the church and why should we go to church!
Page appears in Bible Explorer titled - The family
JOIN THE FAMILY
