Lesson 18: We Need the Church

“I cannot fulfill all of God’s purpose for me acting alone.”

To help the believer commit to the local church.

► What is the purpose of the church?

Affirm a variety of answers. It is not necessary to explain much yet.

► Who is responsible to fulfill the church’s purposes?

Every Christian is responsible to help.

► Who needs the church? (Everyone needs the church.)

The church is one. Jesus said, “I will build my church [singular]…” (Matthew 16:18). The book of Ephesians speaks of the church as one.

And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all (Ephesians 1:22-23).

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call (Ephesians 4:4).

The church is universal. Because only God has the membership roll and no earthly, human organization contains the whole church, it is sometimes called the “invisible” church.

Yet, the church is also local. The church must take local forms in order to fulfill its tasks. For example, a believer cannot daily fellowship with the universal church throughout history; he must fellowship with specific people.

God uses individuals, but he also uses the local church in special ways. The local church (not a building, but a group of believers) is a temple where the Holy Spirit dwells.

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16).[1]

Read the comment, then have someone to read the verse.

1. Worship and edification in a congregation (1 Corinthians 14:12).

2. Teaching established doctrine (1 Timothy 3:15).

3. Sending people to evangelize and disciple (Matthew 28:19-20).

4. Financial support of pastors (1 Timothy 5:17-18).

5. Sending and supporting missionaries (Acts 13:2-4, Romans 15:24).

6. Financial help for members in need (1 Timothy 5:3).

7. Discipline of members who fall into sin (1 Corinthians 5:9-13).

8. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 28:19, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

9. Nurture of believers in a Christian community (Acts 2:42).

► Are all of these purposes important?

► Which ones in the list have you participated in recently?

► What would happen if the church did not do one of the tasks listed?

These purposes cannot be fulfilled by individuals acting independently. Groups of believers must cooperate locally to accomplish these biblical purposes of the church.

God has a plan of operations for a local body of believers. He gives what is needed and requires commitment from us.

Here are some examples of how the local body works:

Some people like to feel spiritually independent. They are glad to be part of universal Christianity, but they never join a local church, feel free to attend wherever they want on any Sunday, refuse any responsibility for regular ministry in the local church, and give their tithe to whatever interests them. If all Christians were like that, there could be no local churches.

Some people hardly see their need for the church. They expect to survive alone. It is difficult for them to see the benefits of attending church services.

Some churches have adapted their programs to attract and keep uncommitted church visitors. They compete with other churches by putting on services like performances. Their congregations become audiences without much more connectedness than the audiences at a concert or opera.

Every Christian should commit himself, his resources, and his abilities to helping a local church accomplish its biblical purposes. Unless he does, he is not fulfilling his purpose as a Christian.

Have members consider the following questions:

► Am I under a pastor’s authority? In what specific way?

► Am I financially supporting a local church ministry?

► Am I using my abilities for my local church?

► Do I feel that I need my church?

► Do I feel that my church needs me?

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for giving me a spiritual family that shares life with me. Thank you for making me part of the body that is doing your will on earth.

Help me to remember that I need the church and that the church needs me. Help me to make the commitments that the local church needs from its members so that it can fulfill its purposes.

Help us together to be a temple where the Holy Spirit lives and gives life to your people.

Amen

Study 1 Corinthians 12. Meditate on the description that is given of the interdependence of members of the body.