Week Four, Day One

Connection with the Church (The Body of Christ)

The church is made up of all believers everywhere. Together, we are the “Church” that Jesus refers to in scripture. However, because we are so spread out, and there are so many Christians, it is impossible for all of us to get together in one place and create tight-knit community. So, we meet in smaller groups in the form of the local church body. You probably have several churches in your town, but God has placed you in one particular church so you will have a place to learn and grow with other believers.

Because God intends for us to function as a whole, participation in the local church body is a spiritual discipline essential to the spiritual growth of all believers. No church is perfect, but God takes your responsibility to your local church body very seriously, and so should you. You have a job to do in your local church, there is a reason that God put you in that church.

Study 1 Corinthians 12:12, 27, Romans 12:4-8.

Include the following in your personal prayer time:

• Thank God for His church and the privilege of being a part of it.
• Ask God to deepen your commitment to His church.

FOR FURTHER STUDY:

Study Acts 2:41-42.

 

Week Four, Day Two

Community

Community is “a cooperative spirit or kinship shared by a group of people.” Community is a connection with others that is deeper than just knowing their name or where they live. God never intended for you to “attend” church, His design was “community.” God’s plan was that you would have connection with other people that know Him. If you think church is about showing up or attendance, you have missed God’s purpose.

Study Acts 2:46-47.

Think for just a moment about our culture, our schedules, our games, our gadgets, our goals, etc. What keeps us from having the kind of community that God intends for us to have?

Include the following in your personal prayer time:

• Ask God to show you the importance of spending time with the other members of your church (of all ages).
• Ask God to give you a desire to invest time in your church relationships.

FOR FURTHER STUDY:

Study Ephesians 3:20-21.

 

Week Four, Day Three

Service and Giving

Study Ephesians 6:7 and Matthew 20:25-28.

Include in your personal prayer time:

• Thank God for the way that He has blessed you. List some of the ways in your notebook.
• Ask God to create in you a generous heart.

FOR FURTHER STUDY:

Study Acts 4:32.

 

Week Four, Day Four

“Without discipleship, there is no such thing as a healthy church… Jesus Himself modeled the importance of mentoring and discipleship.  He didn’t hold classes or take people through a curriculum.  He lived and taught life to his disciples on a daily basis.  He poured into their lives and then expected them to do the same for other disciples….I believe everyone needs a Paul in their life who will challenge them to grow in their faith….” Bill, Pastor 

Discipleship

Discipleship is “the training that one follower of Christ receives from another” and can be a very beneficial part of believer’s spiritual growth process. Everyone should have a spiritual mentor, a “father” or “mother” in the faith, and everyone should invest in someone younger in their faith, a son or daughter in the faith. Who has trained you and who is training you? Have you ever considered training someone younger in the faith than you? You are starting to learn more and more about the Bible and church, maybe it is time to consider passing down what you have learned.

Study 2 Timothy 2:1-2 (written by Paul to Timothy) and Colossians 3:15-16.

Include the following in your personal prayer time:

• If you don’t have a spiritual mentor, ask God to send you one. If you do, ask God to bless them and to give them wisdom as they train you up in your faith.
• Ask God to allow you to influence the life of a younger believer and to give you the wisdom and integrity to be a responsible mentor.

FOR FURTHER STUDY:

Study Titus 2:1-8, 15.

 

Week Four, Day Five

Evangelism

Evangelism is “the sharing of the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ.” All followers of Christ are to be evangelists and share the gospel with others on a regular basis.

Study 1 Peter 3:15 and Matthew 10:19-20.

Now study Matthew 28:18-20.

Jesus knew that twelve disciples could only reach so many people with the gospel. He knew that they would need to train new believers to share the gospel like they did in order to multiply their efforts. That’s why he told them to take the time to disciple new believers (teach them what they needed to know). He knew that the disciples’ trainees would have opportunities to take the gospel into places that they His disciples would never be able to go themselves.

Evangelism is a group effort. As a follower of Christ, you have a responsibility both to your brothers and sisters in Christ and to those who don’t know Christ yet to share the gospel. It’s not right to depend on others to do your job. If you don’t know how to share the gospel, find out how. And when someone invites Jesus into their heart, don’t leave them to fend for themselves. Help them teach others how to do what you did for them. It really doesn’t matter how many people are on your team if only a handful of them show up to play, does it?

Include the following in your personal prayer time:

• Thank God for the person(s) who took the time to share Christ with you.
• Ask God to give you the chance to share Christ with someone this week.

FOR FURTHER STUDY:

Study 2 Timothy 4:5.

 

The Weekend

Suggested Reading: the book of Jonah (it’s not very long at all)

This is the story of Jonah. As you study this short book of the Bible, consider how Jonah’s story relates to what you learned this week. What do you have in common with Jonah? What can you learn from his mistakes? How seriously does God take our obedience to Him?

How is your scripture memory coming along?