CHURCH
The members of the Body of Christ function within the world as “THE CHURCH.”
Here the term CHURCH (with capital letters) refers to ALL believers worldwide. The CHURCH does not refer to a building, a denomination, or a particular religion. The CHURCH is God’s people living for Jesus.
The Lord loves and treasures the CHURCH, in fact His loyalty is so great, so strong, that He actually calls the CHURCH His bride.
In smaller letters, “the church” is God’s people meeting in groups throughout the world.
Churches can meet in buildings, over meals and over coffee. Churches sometimes even meet in dangerous places. They may have to meet secretly or within prisons.
Churches teach God’s Word. They train and encourage believers. They love God and His Word!
True followers of Jesus are the CHURCH, united in faith. They advance the Kingdom of God and crush the darkness.
READ SCRIPTURE
ROMANS 16:18, NIV
18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
ROMANS 12:4-5, NIV
4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,
5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
EPHESIANS 5:25-27, NIV
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her
26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,
27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
LIVE IT
Consider the following questions:
What comes to mind when you think of the word “Church?” Where did you first get your understanding of this word?
What do the Bible verses and lesson on this page teach you about what church really is?
Is this different than your previous understanding? If so, how?
PRAYER
“Lord Jesus, I praise you for the Church! I feel so fortunate to be a part of your eternal and global family. Help me to support and love others within the church as I seek to know you more. Thank you for the gift that the church is and will continue to be in my life. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.”
