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Bible Passages:
1 Corinthians 12:12-20
Romans 12:1-8
1 Peter 4:7-10
A sense of 'belonging' is very important for us, isn't it? Whether it be in a country, a city or town, at work, in a club, in church or in a family. A feeling that you belong is vital to your well-being and to you achieving your full potential.
What makes you feel you 'belong' in each of the different contexts listed above?
God doesn't just call you to 'believe', he also calls you to 'belong'.
'We are created for community, fashioned for fellowship, and formed for a family, and none of us can fulfill God's purposes by ourselves. The Bible knows nothing of solitary saints or spiritual hermits isolated from other believers and deprived of fellowship.
Why do you think faith became such a private, and individualistic matter in our culture? Why do people say, 'You don't have to go to church to be a Christian'? Is this changing?
We need to recognise that, as Christians, we are members of God's family and are connected to every other believer.
This is what the Bible means by membership of the church. It's not simply about having your name on a roll, rather it's about being interconnected with Christ and his people.
Paul uses the imagery of the church as a body, to illustrate this truth.
(Read 1 Cor 12:12-20). What in these verses tells you that you are a unique individual as a Christian, but that you need to be joined with other Christians to be all you can be?
Warren says that if a person takes themselves out of church fellowship, it will lead to spiritual decline and eventual death.
'That is why the first symptom of spiritual decline is usually inconsistent attendance at worship services and other gatherings of believers.
Do you agree with this? Can you speak from experience? (Look at Hebrews 10:23-25. What in these verses suggests the writer is tackling these very issues and what is his advice about them?)
We need to grasp the vital need for us as Christians to be committed and active in our local church fellowship. Why?
(Read Romans 12:1-2) Often, we interpret these verses as describing our private, personal response to God for all that he has done for us. What change of mindset do they urge upon us? How?
(Read Romans 12:3-5) Notice how the changes we are called to make are inextricably linked with our relationships with each other in the church. What in these verses rules out self-centred Christianity? What rules out conceit or superiority?
Over 50 times, in the New Testament, the phrases 'one another' or 'each other', are used. What do these phrases indicate our attitude should be towards each other and the gifts that we have?
(Read Romans 12:6-8) What do the particular gifts mentioned indicate about the Christian life?
'A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church' (NLT)
Are you a church attender or a church member?
Attenders are spectators from the sidelines, members get involved in the ministry.
Does your level of involvement in Gorgie church, demonstrate that you love, and are committed to God's family?
What are the most common excuses people give for not joining a church, and how would you answer them?
(Read 1 Peter 4:7-10) This is our Church's mission statement. How are the calls to prayer, love and service, intertwined? Is it possible to just do one and not the other two?
'A place to belong'. What can we do to make sure that our church is a place where people can feel that they can belong?
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