Purpose: To encourage the seeker that Christians are not left to fend for themselves after baptism. Instead, Jesus baptizes us into the body, the church (1 Corinthians 12:12-13), where we are joined by a family of likeminded disciples in our devotion to Him. These brothers and sisters are meant to be a continual source of encouragement in our walk with Christ.
ACTS 2:40-47
The first 3000 converts joined together in devotion to the Apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. A beautiful view of the early church. How would you like to be part of such a church?
ROMANS 12:1-8
The church is a community of people (1) devoted to God (vv1-2), (2) belonging to one another (vv3-5) and (3) devoted to one another (vv 6-10).
1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-27
The Spirit baptizes us into the body of Jesus, his church. The church consists of distinct yet unified parts, just like a human body. God himself has arranged it this way. We are the church; each of us must actively look for the distinct yet unified ways we are to support this body. How will you help build up the body of Christ?
EPHESIANS 2:19-21
Like the Gentiles discussed here, we can now be part of God's household. The church is the family of God. What does "family" mean to you? The church is also a spiritual temple built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, whose teachings we find in the Bible, with Jesus as the cornerstone. To be part of his temple, we must build our lives and our church on that foundation.
EPHESIANS 4:1-16
Making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the church requires humility, patience, gentleness, and selflessness (vv.1-3). We maintain unity on the essentials of doctrine (vv.4-6). God provides specific leadership roles within the church (vv.7-11) in order to prepare us for works of service which build up the body in Christ-likeness and love (vv.12-16).
HEBREWS 3:12-14
Christianity is a not a solo endeavor. We have the charge and the responsibility to be deeply involved in each other's lives. Daily encouragement helps everyone stand firm until the end. (You may wish to refer to additional "one another" verses listed below.)
HEBREWS 10:22-25
After being washed in baptism, we need the continual exhortations of brothers and sisters to stay the course. Consider ahead of time how you can spur on fellow Christians in the fellowship. Also prepare to receive biblical input that will result in greater love and good deeds. Why is missing meetings of the body described as a bad habit? Why and when do we meet?
1 John 4:19-21
Loving your brother and sister in Christ is an inseparable part of your relationship with God.
Conflict in relationships is inevitable. We cannot ignore problems in relationships and still think we have a great relationship with God.
If you don’t love those around you, you don’t love God!
MARK 3:31-35
What will it mean for you to be part of Jesus' family?
DiscussionÂ
What does the Church have to do with God’s mission in the world?
What specifically will you need to do to prioritize your life so that you can live the way this way?
Do you understand that being saved means being saved into the body of Christ? That means being a part of His family with God as our Father and other Christians as our brothers or sisters.
ADDITIONAL HELPFUL SCRIPTURES:
Matthew 16:17-18
John 17:20-26
Ephesians 5:24-33
Colossians 1:18
Colossians 2:18-19
Hebrews 12:18-24
MORE "ONE ANOTHER" PASSAGES:
John 13:34-35
James 5:16
Romans 12:10, Romans 15:14
Galatians 5:13
Ephesians 4:32, Ephesians 5:21
Colossians 3:16
1 Peter 4:9