5a – Life in the Church
Every learner will be able to:
Explain what the Church is and what it is not.
Explain the relationship between Jesus and Christians.
Describe what the position of Christ is in the church.
Use your fingers to teach about the church.
Explain the five functions of the church with reference to Acts 2:41-47.
When you become a Christian, you are a member of God‘s family. God is your heavenly Father, and all Christians are your brothers and sisters, part of the same family. ―…this household is the church of the living God…‖ (1 Tim. 3:15). A household is not a building, and the ―church‖ is not a place or location of worship, the church is a body of believers.
- How does the Bible describe the relationship between Jesus and Christians?
1.(Rom. 12:5) _____________________________________
______________________________________________
_2.(Eph. 1:22–23) __________________________________
______________________________________________
3.What is the position of Christ in the church?
- (Eph. 5:23) _____________________________________
- What is the Purpose of the Church?
Five fingers will help you remember:
One Finger: The church has one purpose: To GLORIFY GOD. The church also has one Head- CHRIST (Eph. 1:22-23)
Christ is the Head of the church. There is no other. God has ordained only one ―chief shepherd‖ (1 Peter 5:1-4). Within the body of Christ there is no hierarchy. ―The eye cannot say to the hand, ‗I don‘t need you.‘‖ (1 Cor. 12:21). Rather all parts work together for the good of the body. Each believer is a part of the body and membership includes mutual accountability (1 Cor. 12:27).
Two Fingers: The church has two authorities: The Holy Spirit and Gods Word.
- The Holy Spirit – God has provided each believer His Spirit as a counselor. The Spirit indwells us at conversion and guides/empowers us toward right thought and action. When we sin, the Spirit brings conviction leading us toward repentance and confession before God. His voice must be discerned as it guides the believer into God‘s will.
- God‟s Word – To guide the church, God ensured the recording of His instruction and plan for mankind. It is without error and is the sufficient tool for discerning all matters of faith and practice. The Scripture speaks to all matters concerning the church and must be central in the decision making process of the Body of Christ (2 Tim. 3:16-17
Together the Spirit of God and the Word of God guide the church, and will never contradict each other. God‘s Spirit uses the Word as a tool to instruct and at times rebuke the believer. The Word is the Spirit‘s tool for shaping and directing the church. Together these two provide all that is needed for the church to move forward in assurance of God‘s will (For further study see: Ephesians 5 & Colossians 3).
Three Fingers: The church has three offices of leaders: Jesus, Elders/Pastors, and Deacons. Qualifications: The qualifications can be found in Titus 1 and 1 Timothy 3.
- It is a worthy goal of the church planter to ensure the appointment of leadership in the church. The church planter should note that nowhere in Scripture is Paul or any member of his church planting team referred to as a pastor. Church planters in the New Testament did not typically fill this role, (though they can as a founding church planter/pastor). Rather, as Paul instructs Titus, recognizing this role from within the church was a key for church formation (Titus 1:5).
- Many believe the pastor must do the works of ministry/service. A more careful reading of Eph. 4:11-12 reveals the works of service are the job of every believer. The pastor/elder are the equippers.
- The Deacons serve the Lord by serving the Church body.
Four Fingers: The church has four signs of maturity…
- Self-Governing (Acts 6:1-7)
- Self-Multiplying (1 Thes. 1:7-8)
- Self-Supporting (Acts 2:44-45; 4:34-35)
- Self-Correcting (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
(For Further explanation on this see page 102-105).
Five Fingers: The church has five functions…
- Worship-The expression of love toward God.
- Fellowship- Loving the Body of Christ.
- Teaching/Discipleship: Teaching others to obey everything Christ has commanded.
- Ministry- Works of Service towards all.
- Mission: Spirit-Filled Evangelism/Baptism: GO!
Look at the chart:
The Functions of the Church
Worship: ―___________ God, sing to the Lord a
new song. His praise in the assembly of
the saints.‖ Psa. 149:1)
Fellowship: “And let us consider how we may spur
_____________ on toward love and
good deeds.‖ (Heb. 10:24)
Teaching: ―And teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded
you…‖ (Mat. 28:20)
Ministry: ―to prepare God‘s people
so that the body of Christ may
be built up.‖ (Eph. 4:12)
Mission: Spirit-Filled Evangelism/Baptism:
―But you will receive power when the
Holy Spirit has come upon you…‖
(Acts 1:8)
*We make disciples by going, baptizing, and teaching others to obey ALL that Christ commanded us!
- Why should you attend church?
Because we need worship, fellowship, teaching, discipline, mutual accountability and encouragement.
Because this is God‘s command: ―Let us not give up meeting together,
as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.‖ (Heb. 10:25)
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To avoid departing from the truth of the Bible.
Because there are mature Christians in church to help you in your spiritual journey.
- Privileges and Responsibilities we have in church.
Our Privilege to declare our union with Christ – Baptism (Rom. 6:1–14, Acts 2:41)
Baptism is a proclamation and confirmation of our faith. Baptism is a witness of our faith to others.
The words and actions of baptism communicate to those present that we are positioned in Christ Jesus. (Rom. 6:3)
We know and feel that we are freed from the old dead person, and now live a new life in resurrection power. (Rom. 6:6–14)
We were therefore _________through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was ________ through the glory of the Father we too may live a new life. If we have been _________like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him ___________. (Rom. 6:4–5)
Baptism is a symbol of our faith, and a central part of making disciples. (Mat. 28:19-20)
Baptism does not have the power to forgive sin. We are saved when we confess with our mouth and believe in our heart. (Rom. 10:9)
Our Responsibility to Remember – the Lord‟s Supper
Jesus personally set this as a remembrance of His death and shed blood for our sin (Mat. 26:17–19, 26–30).
When we receive the Lord‘s Supper, we must remember and give thanks. ―But he was ________ for our _______________; he was __________ for our __________‖ (Isaiah 53:5).
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When we receive the Lord‘s Supper, it is a time to examine our actions and faith. (1 Cor. 11:23–29)
When we receive the Lord‘ Supper it is a time to pray. (John 15-17)
Our Privilege/Responsibility to Give – Offerings
Offerings are ‗thank you gifts‘ given to God and acts of worship unto God. Offerings can include sacrifices of a person‘s life, goals, time, abilities and finances.
Monetary offerings are required by God and a test of the disciple‘s faith, love, and obedience. There are three kinds of monetary offerings:
Tithes: God commanded His people in the Old Testament to tithe, telling them the tithe belongs to God. Tithe means 10%. The tithe was actually not an offering, but what they were required to give. (Lev. 27:30–31) (See Malachi 3:8-9).
Offerings: This is a true offering, arising from a thankful and sincere heart, over and above the tithe. The amount of the gift is your own personal decision. We cannot worship God without gifts and offerings. We should not continually come empty-handed into God‘s presence. (Acts 2:45; 2 Cor. 9:7)
Love Offerings: This is an offering given to others. It is motivated by love and is given according to what a person has and according to the needs of others. (2 Cor. 8:9-15).
Action Steps:
Start meeting together with those you have led to Christ, and explain to them the 5 functions of the church.
Begin giving your tithes and offerings.
Continue witnessing to five new people this week.