The church is a community of believers with Jesus Christ at its center. The church is God’s beloved people who have been called out of the world, yet remain in the world to serve as a light to the world by loving one another, living holy lives and praising God. The congregation is led by a spiritual leadership and gathers regularly around the Word of God, baptism, communion, worship, prayer, pastoral care and Christian fellowship. The church is a place where sinners are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit to become disciples of Jesus through sanctification, growth in discipleship, deepening in love for God and fellow human beings, and training in reaching out with the gospel to the whole world.
Bible Verses
“20For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”” (Mt 18:20)
“5you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Pe 2:5)
“9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Pe 2:9–10)
“42And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44And all who believed were together and had all things in common.” (Ac 2:42–44)
“15if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.” (1 Ti 3:15)
“19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,” (Eph 2:19–20)
“16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” (Jn 15:16)
“27For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.” (Ga 3:27–29)
Study Questions
- What is a church?
- What does the church mean to you?
- Do you have experience in different churches?
- What is the purpose of the church?
- How to become part of the church?
- How are we formed to be disciples of Jesus?
Additional Bible Verses
Rom 9:25, Heb 12:23, 1 Cor 3:11