Message Title: Why do we need Church?
Scripture: John 1:1-5 NRSV
Bottom Line: We are called by God to be part of a covenant community.
Small Group Check in:
How is it with your soul?
Prayer Request? Praises?
Ice Breaker:
How important are words, not just to our culture, but in all cultures?
What does Church mean to you?
What is it about Jesus that most makes you want to tell others about Him?
Overview:
Jesus came to transform the world - to sanctify it.
Church is a covenant community called by God's word propelled by God's spirit for the sake of the world.
As baptized Christians, we enter a covenant with God and with each other. We become part of the Christian covenant community called Church.
Through God's grace, we have all been called to become part of the Body of Christ.
The purpose of the Body of Christ is to continue to expand Christ's ministry of reconciliation, redemption, and restoration into all the world.
Worship is the heartbeat of the church because worship properly orients us. It is where we are one with each other, all focused on God together. Our unity is our focus.
Quotes from Pastor Mark Burgess:
"When others see God, the Kingdom of God grows and it just keeps getting a little brighter here each day - until one day, we ALL find ourselves in the LIGHT again."
"His Kingdom come; His will be done ON EARTH as it is in heaven." - THIS IS WHY WE NEED CHURCH.
People often ask me, why should I join this church? My short answer is, well, you can sit alone in the dark or you can stand in a covenant community of light. It is your choice."
Discussion Questions:
What is "the Word" referred to three times in John 1:1? How do you know?
Why do you think John chose to call Jesus "the Word?' What did God want to tell us by sending Jesus to the world?
What do verses 1 & 2 tell us about the nature of Jesus?
How is Christ the true light of every person (Verse 4)? How or in what ways is Jesus your light? What does that mean to you?
How are you living out the glory of God in the world?
How are you impacting the world for God's purpose, God's kingdom vision, God's plan?
Why do we need Church?
What is the importance of worshiping together?
As the Body of Christ, through small groups/through church, how can we expand Christ's ministry?
How can we reach others and share the love of Christ locally in our neighborhoods and communities?
Memory verse:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
John 1:1