CHURCH DEFINED // WEEK 4 // WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE?

Church Defined (week 4) - What are we doing here?

 

Gathering in Groups (Small and Large)

 

Acts 2:42-47 NIV

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

 

Hebrews 10:23-25 NIV 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

 

Colossians 3:15-16 NIV 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 

 

1 Corinthians 14: 26 NIV  26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.

 

Going and Growing (Ourselves and Others)

 

Matthew 28:16-20 NIV 16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 

Giving Generously (To What the Lord Cares About)

 

1 John 3:17-18 NIV  17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

 

James 1:26-27 NIV  26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

 

Matthew 25:34-40 NIV 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

 

12% Broken Breakdown:

 

Local: 

Olive Crest (2%) - Christ-centered foster care and adoption agency dedicated to preventing child abuse, treating and educating at-risk children, and preserving the family.

 

Care Net  (2%) - Pregnancy and Family Support Center in the Pacific NW. 

 

National:

World Relief Seattle (2%)

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that brings sustainable solutions to the world's greatest problems including disasters, extreme poverty, violence and oppression, along with refugees, immigrants and displaced people groups.

 

Brave Global  (2%) - Organization that coordinates with foster care systems and the department of justice to reach at-risk girls providing education and support to prevent exploitation and trafficking. 

 

International:

Mission of Hope Haiti (2%) -  Christian Mission and ministry that works in Haiti and the Dominican Republic focusing on nutrition, Christ-centered education, medical care, and church advancement. 

 

World Vision (2%) - World Vision is one of the largest global Christian Humanitarian Organizations that partners with children, families, and their communities to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice.

 

2 Corinthians 9:6-13 NIV

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.

 

Questions:

 

What are benefits of gathering together as the church in large groups? What are the benefits of gathering in small groups? Why should we do both?What does Biblical Discipleship look like? What is one thing you can do this week to begin (or continue) to walk that out?Why do you think the God of the entire Universe would choose to change the world in and through humans? How does giving generously help display that principle?