13 | Why join a church?
13 | Why join a church?
This study guide is meant to be used as a simple tool to help your small group dive deeper into God’s word, nurture conversation, and draw your group nearer to Christ. As a leader, begin your group in prayer by asking the Holy Spirit to lead your discussion.
reflect
What is one of the best expereinces you’ve had with a group of people? What was it about the group that made the expereince so special and memorable?
“A CHURCH IS A FAMILY, A BODY, THE BRIDE OF CHRIST
Sometimes we can think that church is boring and irrelevant. It is important to know that church is not:
• A building
• A program that happens once a week
• An outdated, hierarchical institution
Church is a community of people who share their faith, hope and love of Jesus! The Bible uses a number of pictures to describe what church is like:
• A FAMILY We are all brothers and sisters in God’s family.
• A BODY An organic system of people who work together.
• THE BRIDE OF CHRIST Jesus has a special love, devotion and care for the church.
Jesus said, “For you can do nothing without me.” John 15:5
Church is a community of people who share their faith, hope and love of Jesus!
THE DIFFERENCE CHURCH MAKES
Connects us with God.
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Connects us with people who have
similar spiritual worldview.
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Gives us a spiritual family.
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Provides us with spiritual support.
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Gives us the opportunity to work together with other people using the spiritual gifts that the Holy Spirit has given you.
“LET US THINK OF WAYS TO MOTIVATE ONE ANOTHER TO ACTS OF LOVE AND GOOD WORKS. AND LET US NOT NEGLECT OUR MEETING TOGETHER, AS SOME PEOPLE DO, BUT ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER, ESPECIALLY NOW THAT THE DAY OF HIS RETURN IS DRAWING NEAR.”
HEBREWS 10:24-25
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TRUST IN GOD IN THIS LIFE AND THROUGHOUT ETERNITY
1 THE WAY THE BIBLE DESCRIBES GOD’S PEOPLE
The Bible beautifully describes the vision that Jesus has for His church. It consists of
people who:
• Believe that Jesus is the Son of God who saves people from sin and death. 1 John 5:1-13
• Trust in God in this life and throughout eternity. Proverbs 3:5-6
• Make the Bible the foundation of their worldview and the way they live. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
• Love God and love the people around them. Matthew 22:34-40
• Keep God’s commandments. John 14:15, Revelation 12:17
• Treasure and share the story of Jesus as found in the Bible. Revelation 12:17
“ENFEEBLED AND DEFECTIVE AS IT MAY APPEAR, THE CHURCH IS THE ONE OBJECT UPON WHICH GOD BESTOWS IN A SPECIAL SENSE HIS SUPREME REGARD. IT IS THE THEATRE OF HIS GRACE, IN WHICH HE DELIGHTS TO REVEAL HIS POWER TO TRANSFORM HEARTS.”
THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, P12
real talk
Q1.
What would attract you to being part of the theatre of God’s grace, where he delights to reveal His power to transform people’s hearts?
Q2.
Why do you think that Jesus describes the church as His “Bride”?
Q3.
What benefits do you think there would be in being part of a church?
Q4.
How would you like to continue your journey with Jesus?
real talk
real talk
Q1.
What would attract you to being part of the theatre of God’s grace, where he delights to reveal His power to transform people’s hearts?
Q2.
Why do you think that Jesus describes the church as His “Bride”?
Q3.
What benefits do you think there would be in being part of a church?
Q4.
How would you like to continue your journey with Jesus?
reimagine
reimagine
Describe what you understand to be Jesus’ vision for the church. As a group talk about your next faith journey together. How will you continue to grow into the person God made you to be?
FURTHER STUDY
BIBLE TEXTS
Psalms 62:7, 1 Peter 2:4, 1 Corinthians 3:11, 10:4, 11:18-22, 12:13, 27 Acts 20:28, Matthew 21:41- 43, Ephesians 2:19-21, 4:5-6, 5:22-33, 1 Timothy 3:14-16
BOOKS TO READ
The One – David Asscherick and Ty Gibson
• Why Church Matters: Discovering Your Place in the Family of God – Joshua Harris
• Church: Why Bother? – Philip Yancey
NEXT STEP
Would you like to join our group for the next stage of our journey with Jesus?