Church

Feedback:
How did you get on with the Action Point, memorising 2 Corinthians 5v17?
Do you have any recent stories from your personal evangelism?

Intro:
Word association: What comes into your mind when you hear the word “church”?

Read: 1 Corinthians 12v12-31
What does the metaphor of a body say about church?
What things might people say (15,21)? What is Paul’s response to this?
What examples are given of different people’s contributions to the body?
How have you benefited from others in the body?
What do you think your contribution to the body is (or can be)?
Which do you find easier – giving to or receiving from others in the church?

It’s helpful to have some pointers to find a good church. No church is perfect; the churches described in the Bible had big problems, but the New Testament does give us some things to look out for:

• The leaders affirm that Jesus is God in human form (Colossians 1v15).
• The Bible, not just the opinion of the preacher, is the authorityfor teaching (2 Tim 4v2-4).
• Love for one another (1 Corinthians 13).
• People are serious about praying, seeking and enjoying God (Luke 11v1-4).
• There is a concern to make Christ known to others (Matthew 28v18-20).

True or False:
The primary role of church is the corporate worship of God.

Pray:
Pray that you will be able to contribute to and receive from your local church. Ask God to show you ways you can serve others and build them up in their faith.

Action Point:
Who could you invite to your church? Ask them this week.

Digging Deeper:
Read the following Bible passages about some of the first churches and consider what church should be like in light of this: Acts 2v42-47; Acts 4v32-35; 1 Thessalonians Chapters 1 and 2.

Agape Essentials 2.3