Discipleship Series
The Local Church
God has established three major institutions on this earth: the family, the civil government, and the local church. It is the local church which has been commissioned by God to carry out His purpose in reaching the lost and perfecting the saved. Therefore, God's plan for a Christian will always be fulfilled best when connected with the local church.
The purpose of this lesson is to impress upon the individual the central role which the church should play in everyday life.
I. What is the Local Church?
A. A local church is not a building.
[1]. We worship God in spirit and truth. John 4:24
[2]. Our bodies are the temple of God. I Corinthians 6:19
B. A local church has structure and organization. It has an independent government which has no hierarchy or headquarters or denomination that a local church must obey. Each local church must be entirely separate and independent of each other with the final authority being the Word of God. 1 Thessalonians 2:13
The local church consists of a body of men and women who have been saved and baptized and called by God to serve in a specific local area. "The church" is the body of Christ, the saved multitudes from every nation.
[1]. Jesus Christ is the head of the church according to
Ephesians 5:23.
[2]. There are two offices (places of authority) in the local
church, the pastor (bishop, elder) and the deacons. I Timothy 3:1,8
[3]. Of those two, God established the pastor to be the overseer of the local church.
1 Timothy 3:1-5; 5:17; Ephesians 4:11 (All three have the same meaning)
[4]. In I Corinthians 12:27 Paul, writing to saved people, states clearly, "ye are the body of Christ "Paul compares the church body to the human body in this passage. I Corinthians 12:14-27
a) Each member of the body has a different function within that body, and they minister to one another's needs (There is no clergy/laity) - verses 14-20.
b) No one member can function alone - verse 21.
c) Each member's contribution is important to the well being of the entire body -verses 22-24.
d) A properly functioning body operates as a single unit - verses 25-27.
e) The church is a living organism constantly growing, and maturing under the never changing, and always perfect Head, Jesus Christ - Ephesians 5:23.
II. What is the Function of the Local Church?
A. The first local church in the Bible was organized in Jerusalem (Acts 2:41-47). The believers there organized their church for the following purposes:
[1]. The teaching of the Word of God, verse 42.
[2]. Fellowship with other believers, verse 42.
[3]. Prayer, verse 42.
[4]. The observance of the two ordinances of the church: baptism, verse 41, and the Lord's Supper, verse 42.
[5]. To be a testimony of God's grace and power, verse 43.
[6]. For mutual assistance and ministry, verses 44-45.
[7]. To reach out into the community, verses 46-47.
[8]. To glorify and praise God, verse 47.
B. The single most important priority of the local church is to edify (build up, teach, strengthen) the saints. Ephesians 4:11-16
III. How Does A Person Join a Local Church?
A. Fulfill God's requirements. There are two requirements that have to be fulfilled before people are to be added to a local church - salvation and then baptism. As long as a person has been saved and baptized, they can join a church - Acts 2:41
B. Request membership. Don't expect to be a part by osmosis. Tell the pastor you wish to join.
IV. How Do I Function Properly in the Church Body?
A. During your Christian life, you should mature in three broad, general stages, which can be roughly compared to the stages of growth physically: child, youth, adult.
[1]. Observe and learn - Your first priority should be to submit to the teaching of the Word of God to learn to be the man or woman God wants you to be. Matthew 11:28-30; I Peter 2:2
[2]. Witness - You should witness to others about your salvation and invite them to join you in attending church services where they will hear the gospel preached. Acts 4:10
[3]. Participation - In time, you will naturally grow to the point where you can begin to serve and take on some basic functions through the already established ministries of your church. Matthew 4:19; James 1:22-25
[4]. Lead - As your growth continues, you should reach the point where you can begin to minister to others in the same way you have been ministered to. II Timothy 2:2
B. Be patient! This process takes time. Just be sure to remain faithful to God through His established institution, the local church.
V. How do I find the particular local church that God wants me to serve through?
A. Pray about it! Ask God to show you which church to associate yourself with. James 1:5
B. Observe the qualities of a particular church and compare them with the biblical requirements of a proper church.
[1]. Is there evidence of soul winning? Matthew 7:20; Acts 2:47
[2].Do they believe and teach the King James 1611 Bible as the Word of God and the infallible guide for life? Titus 1:9
[3]. Is the membership encouraged to read and study the Bible as much as the leadership does? Acts 17:10-12
[4]. Do they minister to the needs of people? Acts 6:1
[5]. Do they send out and support missionaries? Acts 13:1-3
[6]. Does the church make a stand against false doctrine, theologies and beliefs? Romans 16:17; Ephesians 4:14
VI. What Can You do for a Local Church?
Your service to the Lord through the local church should be done with a willing heart and in a spirit of thanksgiving. You cannot repay God for the precious gift of His Son, but you can say "thank you" by faithfully serving Him. (1 John 4:19). Membership in a good local church can benefit both you and the church. Here are some things you can do to help your church.
A. Faithful attendance. Be there every time the doors are open and extend the hand of fellowship and love to believers and visitors. Hebrews 10:25
B. Pray for your church. Make it a point to know the needs of your fellow church members. Pray for those in need, the pastors, the deacons and all ministries of the church. I Thessalonians 5:25; Philippians 4:6,7; I Timothy 2:1-4
C. Give of your time and talents. Every good thing you possess came from God (James 1:17). They should be offered back to God for His use and glory. Romans 12:1
D. Give of your finances. Your tithe and offerings support the ministry and spread the gospel in your surrounding areas and the world. II Corinthians 9:7; Luke 6:38; Malachi 3:10
E. Respect and support your Pastor. Your pastor not only needs your prayers and love, but also your respect for his calling, your loyalty, your willingness to follow his God-directed leadership and your support. He labors long and diligently for God's people and must give an account of his care for them. I Thessalonians 5:12,13; I Timothy 5:17,18; Hebrews 13:7,17,24; 1 Peter 5:1-4
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Questions & Answers
(Please answer on a separate sheet)
Lesson 6- The Local Church
[1]. What are the three institutions God has established on earth?
[2]. Define the following terms:
A. Local church -
B. "The church
[3].In I Corinthians 12:14-27, Paul teaches that in many ways the church body is similar to the List parts of the body that are mentioned in this passage of Scripture.
[4]. List some basic similarities between the church body and the human body.
[5]. The first local church in the Bible was at Jerusalem. In Acts 2:41-47, we see this local church functioning. List the functional purposes found in this passage of Scripture.
[6]. What is the most important priority of a local church?
7]. What is required for church membership?
[8]. There is a proper order for you to follow in participating in the church body. List the three general stages connected with spiritual growth.
[9]. When a Christian is looking for a local church to serve in, what are some qualities he should be checking for?
[10]. Name some things you can do as a member of a local church.
[11]. Briefly explain the primary purpose of this lesson.
Key Memory Verses:
Ephesians 4:11,12; I Corinthians 12:27; II Timothy 2:2
NOTE: Many churches today are not fulfilling God's plan because their primary attitudes are:
[1]. In order to really learn the Bible, you need to go to a Bible college.
[2]. The primary purpose of a local church is to be a social or political organization.
[3]. The local church is primarily for weddings, funerals and religious holidays.
[4]. Only the "leadership" of the church is charged with any responsibility of meeting people's spiritual needs.
From the Bible principles taught in this lesson, you should understand that these attitudes are wrong, and why.
Write any questions you may have concerning the subjects in this lesson.
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