SESSION 4
THE BLESSING OF COMMUNITY
Following Jesus may be personal, but it’s never private.
GET STARTED
REFLECT
In the previous session, we learned that all people are created to know God in a deep
and personal way. This is a tremendous blessing we need to embrace whenever
possible. As disciples of Jesus, we have the opportunity and responsibility to
connect with God through prayer and through intentional encounters with His
Word.
Which of the assignments did you explore this week? How did it go?
What did you learn or experience while reading the Bible?
What questions would you like to ask before we move forward?
PRAY
Begin the session by connecting with God through prayer. Use the following guidelines
as you speak with Him:
·
Thank God for the privilege of meeting together as part of
a community.
·
Talk to God honestly about your feelings and associations
connected with the church, including your past experiences with church and
church members.
·
Ask for wisdom when it comes to finding your place and your
voice in His community.
INTRODUCTION
In the
movie Castaway, Tom Hanks plays a likable guy named Chuck Noland
whose airplane crashes into the Pacific Ocean at the beginning of the film. As
the only survivor, Chuck spends the next four years on an uncharted island,
isolated and alone.
Chuck’s
not friendless, however. He finds a volleyball tangled in some wreckage from
the plane, draws a crude face on it, and names it Wilson. Then he begins to
carry Wilson around the island with him. He engages Wilson in long
conversations—even arguing with the ball over important decisions and life-threatening
situations.
When
Chuck finally builds a raft and attempts to escape the island’s reef, he brings
Wilson along. And when Wilson is ultimately lost at sea during Chuck’s rescue,
the man weeps uncontrollably at the “death” of his friend.
Chuck’s
story is fictional, but it’s also a great illustration of an important truth:
people were created to live in community.
What
emotions do you experience when you’re alone for an extended period of time?
How do
you respond to the truth that following Jesus was never intended to be a
private relationship?
THE STORY
KNOW THE STORY
There
are moments in human history that change everything. These extraordinary events
mark the beginning of a new era, a new future, and even a new people. God chose
to create such a moment 2,000 years ago when He launched the church.
After
Jesus’ resurrection, He made this promise to His disciples:
But
you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My
witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
ACTS 1:8
The
fulfillment of that promise began weeks later. While Jesus’ disciples were
praying together, God’s Holy Spirit came to them and filled each person with a
spiritual power. Inspired by this power, Peter proclaimed the message of the
gospel to the people of Jerusalem. More than 3,000 people responded by choosing
to follow Christ.
This
was a major event in the life of the early church. And how did this new
community of believers relate to one another? Check it out:
42 They
devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the
breaking of bread, and to the prayers. 43 Then
fear came over everyone, and many wonders and signs were being performed
through the apostles. 44 Now
all the believers were together and held all things in common. 45 They
sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as
anyone had a need. 46 Every day they
devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple complex, and broke bread
from house to house. They ate their food with a joyful and humble
attitude, 47 praising God and having favor
with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them those who were being
saved.
ACTS 2:42-47
What
do you find most interesting about these verses?
Highlight
the different ways the early church members engaged one another. Which of these
excites you most? Why?
UNPACK THE STORY
WHAT IS THE CHURCH?
It’s
common in today’s culture to associate the concept of “church” with a physical
structure. When we think about church or about “going to church,” we often see
images of brick buildings, steeples, sanctuaries, parking lots, and so on.
It’s
also common for people to think of “church” as something that Christians do. We
often make a connection between the church and the practices that are common in
church buildings—sermons, worship songs, Sunday School, and more. Each of these
associations is understandable, and each does point to the truth. Ultimately,
however, the church involves much more.
What
comes to mind when you hear the word “church”?
How
would you describe your past experiences with church?
In
reality, the church isn’t a building or a collection of physical structures.
Instead, the church is a collection of people. It’s a community. In a similar
way, the church isn’t what we do, but who we are as followers of Jesus.
Here’s
a definition: the church is the community of people who follow Jesus Christ as
Lord.
How do
you respond to the above definition of church?
Every
community comes together around specific actions and activities. A community of
golfers joins together for the purpose of playing golf. A community of shoppers
cruises the mall together, seeks out specific items for purchase, and enjoys
sharing together about great deals and surprising finds.
The
community of believers described in Acts 2 also shared common actions
and activities. They gathered to learn about God by studying and discussing the
Scriptures. They also gathered to serve God and support one another through the
ups and downs of life by fellowshipping together, eating together, praying
together, meeting one another’s needs, and by making Jesus’ love known to the
world.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH?
There
are two main purposes for the church:
1. To
exist as a community of Christ-followers who support, encourage, and equip one
another.
2. To
serve as representatives of God’s kingdom in order to accomplish His work in
the world.
What
do you look forward to when it comes to participating in the life of the
church?
Both
of these purposes are evident in Acts 2. Notice how the members of the
church cared for one another: “They sold their possessions and property and
distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had a need” (Acts 2:45).
Because
of their love for one another, the earliest members of the church were willing
to sacrifice their own possessions in order to meet the needs of others. Such
selflessness didn’t go unnoticed.
As the
early Christians actively showed love to one another and proclaimed the message
of the gospel, many outside the church became curious. They wanted to
understand what had transformed Jesus’ disciples into such caring and
compassionate people. In the end, they realized Christ Himself was the source
of that transformation. As a result, “every day the Lord added to them those
who were being saved” (Acts 2:27b).
What
emotions do you experience when you help others? Why?
When
have you received encouragement or support as part of a community?
As a
disciple of Jesus, there will be times when you find yourself in need of help.
In those moments, you’ll find support and encouragement within the community of
believers—the church. There will also be times when others need your
assistance, and you’ll find great fulfillment in doing what’s necessary to meet
their needs as an expression of God’s love.
ENGAGE
One of
the main purposes of the church is to serve as a community in which disciples
of Jesus can both give and receive support when needed. The church exists as a
safe place for Christians to encourage and equip one another without fear of
judgment or scorn—a place where our actions are guided not by selfishness, but
by love.
That’s
the vision described by Jesus:
34 I
give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must
also love one another. 35 By
this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one
another.
JOHN 13:34-35
The
first step in giving or receiving support within the church is honest
communication between church members. You can’t offer prayer and practical
support to fellow disciples of Jesus if you are unaware of their needs.
Similarly, you won’t receive prayer or practical support if you continually
hold your struggles and challenges close to the vest.
Therefore,
spend some time as a group discussing the following two questions. The goal of
this exercise is not to force you to take on the responsibility of caring for
other people. Instead, the goal is to practice sharing the deeper details of
your life in order to highlight opportunities for mutual support.
When
have you recently wished for help?
In
what areas of life do you currently feel unsure or under-prepared?
PRAYER REQUESTS:
WEEKLY
ACTIVITIES
In
addition to studying God’s Word, work with your group leader to create a plan
for personal study, worship, and application between now and the next session.
Select from the following optional activities to match your personal
preferences and available time.
Worship
·
Read your Bible. Complete the reading plan for
this session.
·
Connect with God each day through times of prayer.
·
Connect with God by engaging the Worship Assessment devotional.
Personal
Study
·
Read and interact with Personal Study 1, “Two Pictures of the
Church.”
·
Read and interact with Personal Study 2, “Two Practices of the
Church.”
Application
·
Become a church member. Speak with a pastor or staff person
this week about the process and expectations involved with becoming an official
member of your church.
·
Memorize 1 Corinthians 12:27. “Now you are the body of
Christ, and individual members of it.”
·
Invite a friend. As you experience the benefits of
Christian community, describe those benefits to your friends and invite them
along.
·
Be social. Spend some “hang out” time with another member
of your church or group during the week. Have lunch, chat over coffee, watch a
movie, play a game—intentionally enjoy the privilege of being in community.
·
Other:
WORSHIP
READING PLAN
Continue
reading through the Gospel of Mark this week. Record your thoughts and
responses.
Day 1
Mark
10:17-31
Day 2
Mark
10:32-52
Day 3
Mark
11:1-19
Day 4
Mark
11:20-33
Day 5
Mark 12:1-27
Day 6
Mark
12:28-44
Day 7
Mark
13:1-13
WORSHIP ASSESSMENT
Worship
is one of the great privileges of participating in the community known as the
church. When we gather together as disciples of Jesus, we naturally join
together in expressing our devotion to God and our appreciation for everything
He has done. This is corporate worship.
For
that reason, almost all church gatherings include an element of worship. For
example, churches often participate in corporate worship through singing hymns
and songs of praise to God. Many churches include additional elements such as
visual arts, responsive reading, public testimony, corporate prayer, and more.
This
week, take a step back as you participate in worship at your church. Examine
yourself during the worship experience—keep track of your emotions and
responses as you worship. Afterward, use the following questions to unpack your
experience.
What
did you appreciate most about your worship experience? Why?
What
did you find confusing or unclear? Why?
How would
you describe your efforts to connect with God during worship?
Where
would you like to see improvement or greater depth in your efforts to worship
God?
PERSONAL STUDY
TWO PICTURES OF THE CHURCH
The
authors of the Bible often used word pictures to help readers understand
difficult or complicated concepts. Let’s explore a few examples as we seek to
understand the nature and purpose of the church.
First,
the apostle Paul identified the church as the body of Christ:
12 For
as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though
many, are one body—so also is Christ. 13 For
we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks,
whether slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 14 So
the body is not one part but many.
1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-14
What
is your initial reaction to these verses?
Thinking
of the church as a “body” is helpful in many ways. It reminds us that no part
of the church is more important than the rest—although church leaders are
responsible for guiding local churches and serving their members. On a large
scale, Jesus Himself is the “head of the church” (Eph. 5:23). Jesus is the
brain, and we are the body that exists to obey what He says and do what He
wants.
Viewing
the church as a “body” also teaches us that we need one another. We are a
community of equals gathered into a body. To function well, we must work
together. In fact, we must be unified even to the level of family and remember
that God has brought us together according to His plan:
17 If
the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were
an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But
now God has placed each one of the parts in one body just as He wanted.
1 CORINTHIANS 12:17-18
How do
these verses help you understand the nature of the church?
How do
these verses help you understand your place in the church?
Second,
the apostle Peter used several word pictures to describe the nature and purpose
of the church:
9 But
you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His
possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out
of darkness into His marvelous light. 10 Once
you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received
mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 PETER 2:9-10
Highlight
the different concepts Peter used to describe the church.
As
with 1 Corinthians, Peter’s description of the church reminds us that followers
of Jesus have been unified as a single community. It’s true that Christians
today are often subdivided into separate denominations or niches. We also
gather together in local churches within our specific cities, suburbs, and
towns. But at the core, we’re all members of God’s kingdom.
As
members of the church, we are a distinct people group—a single spiritual nation
spread throughout every political nation on earth.
This
reality points to our purpose as the church. Because Christians are connected
with one another as a “chosen race” and a “people,” we are called to “proclaim
the praises” of God (v. 9) and work together to accomplish His will for the
world. We have “received mercy” as disciples of Jesus, and we have a
responsibility to proclaim that message to others who are in need of mercy as
well.
In
other words, the blessing of joining together in community as disciples of
Jesus should lead us to worship God and tell others about Him.
How do
Peter’s words help you understand the church’s mission?
How do
these verses help you understand your role in the church’s mission?
PERSONAL STUDY
TWO PRACTICES OF THE CHURCH
As
members of the church, we have the opportunity to participate in a great range
of activities intended to help us live and grow as followers of Jesus. These
activities include worshiping God, hearing His Word preached, serving others,
offering our resources, and so on. These are helpful activities that can
benefit us in many ways as followers of Christ.
But
let’s focus on two specific church practices that help us remember who we are
as a community of Christians. The first of those practices is baptism:
3 Or
are you unaware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were
baptized into His death? 4 Therefore
we were buried with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ
was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in a
new way of life.
ROMANS 6:3-4
What ideas
or images come to mind when you hear the word “baptism”? Why?
The
practice of baptism involves a new disciple of Jesus being immersed in water as
a public declaration of faith in Christ. When the disciple is lowered into the
water, it symbolizes his or her death to sin through the sacrifice of Jesus.
And when the disciple is raised out of the water, it symbolizes his or her
resurrection through Jesus as a new creation and a member of the church.
In
other words, baptism is a public symbol and public declaration that a person
has been “born again” as a follower of Jesus.
Read
the following passages of Scripture and record what they teach about the
practice and purpose of baptism:
Matthew
28:18-20
Acts
2:37-41
Acts
8:26-40
The
second practice that reveals who we are as members of the church is called
Communion—it’s also referred to as “the Lord’s Supper.” Jesus Himself
established this practice for the church during the Last Supper before His
crucifixion:
19 And
He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “This is My
body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” 20 In
the same way He also took the cup after supper and said, “This cup is the new
covenant established by My blood; it is shed for you.
LUKE 22:19-20
Different
churches practice the Lord’s Supper in different ways, but the basic elements
are the same. Within the community of the church, disciples of Jesus obey His
command by eating and drinking in order to remember His sacrifice on our
behalf.
How
would you describe your past experiences with the Lord’s Supper?
What
questions do you have about the practice of the Lord’s Supper?
The
practice of the Lord’s Supper is vital because it reminds us of the nature of
the church. Throughout the world and throughout the history of the church,
disciples of Jesus have been linked together through the Lord’s Supper. It
helps unite us as a community.
In the
same way, the Lord’s Supper reminds us of the church’s purpose. Even as we
remember and commune with the death of Jesus as the payment for our sins, we’re
reminded that others need to experience His forgiveness. The Lord’s Supper
inspires us to share the gospel message with a world still in need of a Savior.
Now
that you’ve learned about baptism and the Lord’s Supper, what’s your next step
as a follower of Jesus?
THE BLESSING OF COMMUNITY
Following Jesus may be personal, but it’s never private.
GET STARTED
REFLECT
In the previous session, we learned that all people are created to know God in a deep
and personal way. This is a tremendous blessing we need to embrace whenever
possible. As disciples of Jesus, we have the opportunity and responsibility to
connect with God through prayer and through intentional encounters with His
Word.
Which of the assignments did you explore this week? How did it go?
What did you learn or experience while reading the Bible?
What questions would you like to ask before we move forward?
PRAY
Begin the session by connecting with God through prayer. Use the following guidelines
as you speak with Him:
·
Thank God for the privilege of meeting together as part of
a community.
·
Talk to God honestly about your feelings and associations
connected with the church, including your past experiences with church and
church members.
·
Ask for wisdom when it comes to finding your place and your
voice in His community.
INTRODUCTION
In the
movie Castaway, Tom Hanks plays a likable guy named Chuck Noland
whose airplane crashes into the Pacific Ocean at the beginning of the film. As
the only survivor, Chuck spends the next four years on an uncharted island,
isolated and alone.
Chuck’s
not friendless, however. He finds a volleyball tangled in some wreckage from
the plane, draws a crude face on it, and names it Wilson. Then he begins to
carry Wilson around the island with him. He engages Wilson in long
conversations—even arguing with the ball over important decisions and life-threatening
situations.
When
Chuck finally builds a raft and attempts to escape the island’s reef, he brings
Wilson along. And when Wilson is ultimately lost at sea during Chuck’s rescue,
the man weeps uncontrollably at the “death” of his friend.
Chuck’s
story is fictional, but it’s also a great illustration of an important truth:
people were created to live in community.
What
emotions do you experience when you’re alone for an extended period of time?
How do
you respond to the truth that following Jesus was never intended to be a
private relationship?
THE STORY
KNOW THE STORY
There
are moments in human history that change everything. These extraordinary events
mark the beginning of a new era, a new future, and even a new people. God chose
to create such a moment 2,000 years ago when He launched the church.
After
Jesus’ resurrection, He made this promise to His disciples:
But
you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My
witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
ACTS 1:8
The
fulfillment of that promise began weeks later. While Jesus’ disciples were
praying together, God’s Holy Spirit came to them and filled each person with a
spiritual power. Inspired by this power, Peter proclaimed the message of the
gospel to the people of Jerusalem. More than 3,000 people responded by choosing
to follow Christ.
This
was a major event in the life of the early church. And how did this new
community of believers relate to one another? Check it out:
42 They
devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the
breaking of bread, and to the prayers. 43 Then
fear came over everyone, and many wonders and signs were being performed
through the apostles. 44 Now
all the believers were together and held all things in common. 45 They
sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as
anyone had a need. 46 Every day they
devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple complex, and broke bread
from house to house. They ate their food with a joyful and humble
attitude, 47 praising God and having favor
with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them those who were being
saved.
ACTS 2:42-47
What
do you find most interesting about these verses?
Highlight
the different ways the early church members engaged one another. Which of these
excites you most? Why?
UNPACK THE STORY
WHAT IS THE CHURCH?
It’s
common in today’s culture to associate the concept of “church” with a physical
structure. When we think about church or about “going to church,” we often see
images of brick buildings, steeples, sanctuaries, parking lots, and so on.
It’s
also common for people to think of “church” as something that Christians do. We
often make a connection between the church and the practices that are common in
church buildings—sermons, worship songs, Sunday School, and more. Each of these
associations is understandable, and each does point to the truth. Ultimately,
however, the church involves much more.
What
comes to mind when you hear the word “church”?
How
would you describe your past experiences with church?
In
reality, the church isn’t a building or a collection of physical structures.
Instead, the church is a collection of people. It’s a community. In a similar
way, the church isn’t what we do, but who we are as followers of Jesus.
Here’s
a definition: the church is the community of people who follow Jesus Christ as
Lord.
How do
you respond to the above definition of church?
Every
community comes together around specific actions and activities. A community of
golfers joins together for the purpose of playing golf. A community of shoppers
cruises the mall together, seeks out specific items for purchase, and enjoys
sharing together about great deals and surprising finds.
The
community of believers described in Acts 2 also shared common actions
and activities. They gathered to learn about God by studying and discussing the
Scriptures. They also gathered to serve God and support one another through the
ups and downs of life by fellowshipping together, eating together, praying
together, meeting one another’s needs, and by making Jesus’ love known to the
world.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH?
There
are two main purposes for the church:
1. To
exist as a community of Christ-followers who support, encourage, and equip one
another.
2. To
serve as representatives of God’s kingdom in order to accomplish His work in
the world.
What
do you look forward to when it comes to participating in the life of the
church?
Both
of these purposes are evident in Acts 2. Notice how the members of the
church cared for one another: “They sold their possessions and property and
distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had a need” (Acts 2:45).
Because
of their love for one another, the earliest members of the church were willing
to sacrifice their own possessions in order to meet the needs of others. Such
selflessness didn’t go unnoticed.
As the
early Christians actively showed love to one another and proclaimed the message
of the gospel, many outside the church became curious. They wanted to
understand what had transformed Jesus’ disciples into such caring and
compassionate people. In the end, they realized Christ Himself was the source
of that transformation. As a result, “every day the Lord added to them those
who were being saved” (Acts 2:27b).
What
emotions do you experience when you help others? Why?
When
have you received encouragement or support as part of a community?
As a
disciple of Jesus, there will be times when you find yourself in need of help.
In those moments, you’ll find support and encouragement within the community of
believers—the church. There will also be times when others need your
assistance, and you’ll find great fulfillment in doing what’s necessary to meet
their needs as an expression of God’s love.
ENGAGE
One of
the main purposes of the church is to serve as a community in which disciples
of Jesus can both give and receive support when needed. The church exists as a
safe place for Christians to encourage and equip one another without fear of
judgment or scorn—a place where our actions are guided not by selfishness, but
by love.
That’s
the vision described by Jesus:
34 I
give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must
also love one another. 35 By
this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one
another.
JOHN 13:34-35
The
first step in giving or receiving support within the church is honest
communication between church members. You can’t offer prayer and practical
support to fellow disciples of Jesus if you are unaware of their needs.
Similarly, you won’t receive prayer or practical support if you continually
hold your struggles and challenges close to the vest.
Therefore,
spend some time as a group discussing the following two questions. The goal of
this exercise is not to force you to take on the responsibility of caring for
other people. Instead, the goal is to practice sharing the deeper details of
your life in order to highlight opportunities for mutual support.
When
have you recently wished for help?
In
what areas of life do you currently feel unsure or under-prepared?
PRAYER REQUESTS:
WEEKLY
ACTIVITIES
In
addition to studying God’s Word, work with your group leader to create a plan
for personal study, worship, and application between now and the next session.
Select from the following optional activities to match your personal
preferences and available time.
Worship
·
Read your Bible. Complete the reading plan for
this session.
·
Connect with God each day through times of prayer.
·
Connect with God by engaging the Worship Assessment devotional.
Personal
Study
·
Read and interact with Personal Study 1, “Two Pictures of the
Church.”
·
Read and interact with Personal Study 2, “Two Practices of the
Church.”
Application
·
Become a church member. Speak with a pastor or staff person
this week about the process and expectations involved with becoming an official
member of your church.
·
Memorize 1 Corinthians 12:27. “Now you are the body of
Christ, and individual members of it.”
·
Invite a friend. As you experience the benefits of
Christian community, describe those benefits to your friends and invite them
along.
·
Be social. Spend some “hang out” time with another member
of your church or group during the week. Have lunch, chat over coffee, watch a
movie, play a game—intentionally enjoy the privilege of being in community.
·
Other:
WORSHIP
READING PLAN
Continue
reading through the Gospel of Mark this week. Record your thoughts and
responses.
Day 1
Mark
10:17-31
Day 2
Mark
10:32-52
Day 3
Mark
11:1-19
Day 4
Mark
11:20-33
Day 5
Mark 12:1-27
Day 6
Mark
12:28-44
Day 7
Mark
13:1-13
WORSHIP ASSESSMENT
Worship
is one of the great privileges of participating in the community known as the
church. When we gather together as disciples of Jesus, we naturally join
together in expressing our devotion to God and our appreciation for everything
He has done. This is corporate worship.
For
that reason, almost all church gatherings include an element of worship. For
example, churches often participate in corporate worship through singing hymns
and songs of praise to God. Many churches include additional elements such as
visual arts, responsive reading, public testimony, corporate prayer, and more.
This
week, take a step back as you participate in worship at your church. Examine
yourself during the worship experience—keep track of your emotions and
responses as you worship. Afterward, use the following questions to unpack your
experience.
What
did you appreciate most about your worship experience? Why?
What
did you find confusing or unclear? Why?
How would
you describe your efforts to connect with God during worship?
Where
would you like to see improvement or greater depth in your efforts to worship
God?
PERSONAL STUDY
TWO PICTURES OF THE CHURCH
The
authors of the Bible often used word pictures to help readers understand
difficult or complicated concepts. Let’s explore a few examples as we seek to
understand the nature and purpose of the church.
First,
the apostle Paul identified the church as the body of Christ:
12 For
as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though
many, are one body—so also is Christ. 13 For
we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks,
whether slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 14 So
the body is not one part but many.
1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-14
What
is your initial reaction to these verses?
Thinking
of the church as a “body” is helpful in many ways. It reminds us that no part
of the church is more important than the rest—although church leaders are
responsible for guiding local churches and serving their members. On a large
scale, Jesus Himself is the “head of the church” (Eph. 5:23). Jesus is the
brain, and we are the body that exists to obey what He says and do what He
wants.
Viewing
the church as a “body” also teaches us that we need one another. We are a
community of equals gathered into a body. To function well, we must work
together. In fact, we must be unified even to the level of family and remember
that God has brought us together according to His plan:
17 If
the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were
an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But
now God has placed each one of the parts in one body just as He wanted.
1 CORINTHIANS 12:17-18
How do
these verses help you understand the nature of the church?
How do
these verses help you understand your place in the church?
Second,
the apostle Peter used several word pictures to describe the nature and purpose
of the church:
9 But
you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His
possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out
of darkness into His marvelous light. 10 Once
you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received
mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 PETER 2:9-10
Highlight
the different concepts Peter used to describe the church.
As
with 1 Corinthians, Peter’s description of the church reminds us that followers
of Jesus have been unified as a single community. It’s true that Christians
today are often subdivided into separate denominations or niches. We also
gather together in local churches within our specific cities, suburbs, and
towns. But at the core, we’re all members of God’s kingdom.
As
members of the church, we are a distinct people group—a single spiritual nation
spread throughout every political nation on earth.
This
reality points to our purpose as the church. Because Christians are connected
with one another as a “chosen race” and a “people,” we are called to “proclaim
the praises” of God (v. 9) and work together to accomplish His will for the
world. We have “received mercy” as disciples of Jesus, and we have a
responsibility to proclaim that message to others who are in need of mercy as
well.
In
other words, the blessing of joining together in community as disciples of
Jesus should lead us to worship God and tell others about Him.
How do
Peter’s words help you understand the church’s mission?
How do
these verses help you understand your role in the church’s mission?
PERSONAL STUDY
TWO PRACTICES OF THE CHURCH
As
members of the church, we have the opportunity to participate in a great range
of activities intended to help us live and grow as followers of Jesus. These
activities include worshiping God, hearing His Word preached, serving others,
offering our resources, and so on. These are helpful activities that can
benefit us in many ways as followers of Christ.
But
let’s focus on two specific church practices that help us remember who we are
as a community of Christians. The first of those practices is baptism:
3 Or
are you unaware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were
baptized into His death? 4 Therefore
we were buried with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ
was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in a
new way of life.
ROMANS 6:3-4
What ideas
or images come to mind when you hear the word “baptism”? Why?
The
practice of baptism involves a new disciple of Jesus being immersed in water as
a public declaration of faith in Christ. When the disciple is lowered into the
water, it symbolizes his or her death to sin through the sacrifice of Jesus.
And when the disciple is raised out of the water, it symbolizes his or her
resurrection through Jesus as a new creation and a member of the church.
In
other words, baptism is a public symbol and public declaration that a person
has been “born again” as a follower of Jesus.
Read
the following passages of Scripture and record what they teach about the
practice and purpose of baptism:
Matthew
28:18-20
Acts
2:37-41
Acts
8:26-40
The
second practice that reveals who we are as members of the church is called
Communion—it’s also referred to as “the Lord’s Supper.” Jesus Himself
established this practice for the church during the Last Supper before His
crucifixion:
19 And
He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “This is My
body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” 20 In
the same way He also took the cup after supper and said, “This cup is the new
covenant established by My blood; it is shed for you.
LUKE 22:19-20
Different
churches practice the Lord’s Supper in different ways, but the basic elements
are the same. Within the community of the church, disciples of Jesus obey His
command by eating and drinking in order to remember His sacrifice on our
behalf.
How
would you describe your past experiences with the Lord’s Supper?
What
questions do you have about the practice of the Lord’s Supper?
The
practice of the Lord’s Supper is vital because it reminds us of the nature of
the church. Throughout the world and throughout the history of the church,
disciples of Jesus have been linked together through the Lord’s Supper. It
helps unite us as a community.
In the
same way, the Lord’s Supper reminds us of the church’s purpose. Even as we
remember and commune with the death of Jesus as the payment for our sins, we’re
reminded that others need to experience His forgiveness. The Lord’s Supper
inspires us to share the gospel message with a world still in need of a Savior.
Now
that you’ve learned about baptism and the Lord’s Supper, what’s your next step
as a follower of Jesus?