06 - The Church

Connect

Pick up the habit.

• How's the daily reading holding up? Any wins or struggles?

Transition: we've talked about you and God; today we talk about you and God's people.

Read

Read this together.

Dig

Let them answer first. Draw this out.

1. Paul calls the church a body, with Christ as the head. What does a body part on its own, cut off from the body, actually do? What's he saying about going solo?
2. Verse 13 says we were all baptised into one body. So church isn't a club you join, it's a body you've been made part of. How does that change how you see "going to church"?
3. If you're a part of a body, the body needs you, not just you needing it. What might that mean for how you show up?

Frame

The church is family, not an event. When you came to Christ you were joined to his body. Following Jesus was never meant to be a private hobby you do alone and top up once a week. There are things about God you can only experience together. The call is to actually live in the local church: gather, belong, serve, give, and let other people know you.

What makes a gathering an actual church (not just a nice Christian event like a Bible study or worship night)? Three things, historically:

1. The gospel is truly preached. God's Word, rightly taught. Where a different gospel is taught, it isn't a true church.
2. Baptism and communion are practised. These are shared, never solo.
3. There's real leadership and authority. Pastors and elders responsible for the people.

Then teach the two ordinances plainly, because a new believer needs this:

Baptism.

• Going under the water and coming up is a picture of dying and rising with Jesus. You were buried with him, raised to new life.
• We baptise believers, people old enough to trust Christ for themselves, by full immersion, because that's the New Testament pattern and it acts out exactly what's happened to you.
• If you've trusted Jesus and you haven't been baptised, this is your next step. It's not optional, but an act of obedience, and the next step of your faith.

Communion (the Lord's Supper).

• The bread and the cup. When the church eats together it's not just tradition or memory. Christ is really present by his Spirit. Paul says that we partake in his sacrifice, as in Hs grace is received afresh. It's an act of worship, remembering what he's done, and receiving it afresh.
• It's a meal you take with the church, which is part of the point. The word "communion" means sharing. You'll take it often. Now you know what's happening.

A quick word on giving. You'll hear a lot of noise about money in church. Keep it simple: God's people have always given generously and cheerfully to his work, and you get to be part of that. It's worship, we give as someone who's been given everything.

Land

• What's your honest gut reaction to "you can't follow Jesus alone"?

For some that's a relief, for some it's confronting. Talk about it. Where's the resistance, or where's the longing?

Next Steps

• Baptism: if you've trusted Jesus and not been baptised, talk to a pastor this week. Let's get it sorted.
• Commit to one weekly gathering and actually be there.
• Pick one way to serve and start. Kids, welcome, parking, whatever. Get on a team.

Pray

Thank God that he didn't save us into isolation but into a family.

• Pray for the Rock Church and for the people who'll become their people. If baptism is on the table, pray toward it.

Next: 07 - Meeting With God