Explanation
The doctrine of the church reveals how God corporately indwells and empowers his people. This doctrine explores the nature of the church, the purpose of the church and the function of the church. What is church? Who is a part of the church? What is God’s relationship with the church? What does God call the church to be? What are the responsibilities of the church? What are the responsibilities of being a part of a church? Why is church important? How does God use the church to build us up in our faith? Why is church an indispensable part of the Christian life?
KEY SCRIPTURES
Key Scriptures are designed to give a biblical overview of the topic in question. They are extremely valuable for gaining an immediate general understanding of what the Bible teaches on a given subject. Key Scriptures are the first place you should explore when starting a new subject. They can be discussed individually, in part, or in whole. Generic inductive Bible study questions are provided to assist you in your discussion. Key Scriptures are also good for memorizing and reference.
The ‘one anothers’
Mark 9:50 – Be at peace with each other. NIV
John 13:14 – You also should wash one another’s feet. NIV
John 13:34 – As I have loved you, so you must love one another. NIV
Romans 12:10 – Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. NIV
Romans 12:16 – Live in harmony with one another. NIV
Romans 14:13 – Stop passing judgment on one another. NIV
Romans 15:7 – Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you. NIV
Romans 15:14 – I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another. NIV
Romans 16:16 – Greet one another with a holy kiss. NIV
1 Corinthians 11:33 – So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for each other. NIV
1 Corinthians 12:25 – Have equal concern for each other. NIV
Galatians 5:13 – Serve one another in love. NIV
Galatians 5:26 – Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. NIV
Galatians 6:2 – Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. NIV
Ephesians 4:2 – Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. NIV
Ephesians 4:32 – Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. NIV
Ephesians 5:19 – Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. NIV
Ephesians 5:21 – Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. NIV
Philippians2:3 – Consider others better than yourselves. NIV
Colossians 3:13 – Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. NIV
Colossians 3:16 – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom. NIV
1 Thessalonians 3:12 – May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else. NIV
1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Therefore encourage one another and build each other up. NIV
Hebrews 3:13 – But encourage one another daily. NIV
Hebrews 10:24 – Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. NIV
Hebrews 10:25 – Let us not give up meeting together. NIV
James 4:11 – Brothers, do not slander one another. NIV
James 5:9 – Don’t grumble against each other. NIV
James 5:16 – Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other. NIV
1 Peter 5:5 – Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another. NIV
Inductive Bible Study Questions
to be used with individual Key Scriptures
- What is the primary point of this passage?
- How does this passage challenge us?
- How does this passage comfort or encourage us?
- What does this passage teach us about God?
- What spiritual insights are found in this passage?
- What are the personal & spiritual implications of this text?
- What does this passage ask or require of us?
Key Scriptures Bible Study
to be used when studying all Key Scriptures together
- Did any of the scriptures given surprise you? Explain
- Did any of the scriptures given confuse you? Explain
- Did any of the scriptures given comfort or excite you?
- How would you sum up these scriptures to another?
- What implications do these scriptures have for our lives?
- Which of these scriptures would you find it valuable to memorize?
DISCUSSION GUIDES
GROWING EXERCISES
- Search out all of the ‘one another’ and ‘each other’ type passages in the New Testament? How many different commands do we have regarding how we treat one another? How does this change your idea of church? What steps do you need to take to be a better member of your church? Discuss with your coach.
- Contrast and compare the each of the seven churches in Revelation 2-3. For what is each church praised? For what is each church criticized? What commands are each church given? Use the answers to these questions to summarize what you believe God is looking for in a church? Discuss with your coach?
- Meet with a leader in your church to discover and implement your spiritual gifts in a tangible way.
- If you are not currently actively involved in your church, or you do not feel you know people well in your church, take steps to initiate a deeper relationship. Join a Sunday School class or small group. Volunteer to serve in a ministry. Practice hospitality by inviting someone to lunch or dinner either in your home or at a local restaurant. Strike up spiritual conversations with fellow church members. Make a genuine effort to connect with others for a sustained period of time (at least 3 month). Meet with your coach to discuss how it is going. Do you feel you are connecting with people? Has your relationship with your church changed? Has the role of church in your life changed? What has been a pleasant surprise? What has been a disappointment? How can you continue to improve as a church member, friend and fellow Christian?
Start a small group Bible study with the intent of practicing the ‘one anothers’ and the principles you have learned in this study. Meet with your appropriate church leadership, inform them of your vision and seek their permission and guidance. Seek out people who may be searching for this kind of biblical community. Model and practice the community you yourself wish to experience. Remember, it may take people a while to get it. Stick with it and stay true to the biblical values you desire to experience. Allow your coach to mentor you through this process
RECOMMENDED READING
- The Body by Charles Colson
- I am a Church Member by Thom Rainer
- The Divine Commodity by Shye Jethani
- Church: Why Bother? By Phillip Yancy
- The Shaping of Things to Come by Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch
- The Great Evangelical Disaster by Francis Schaeffer
- The Great Evangelical Recession by John Dickerson
- The Story of Christianity Volumes I &II, by Justo Gonzalez
- The Anabaptist Story by William Estep