Unit F

Church Life

Sections

It is in their church life that believers have some of their most significant relationships. And it is through these relationships that they make many of their most significant contributions to God’s kingdom. So not surprisingly, the Bible has much to teach us about how we should relate to fellow Christians.

Being One Body

I.Being One Body

Meet together with other believers

Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing.   Hebrews 10:25a GNT

Love each other as Jesus Christ loved us

[Jesus:]  My commandment is this: love one another, just as I love you.   John 15:12 GNT

Help each other

Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.   Galatians 6:2 NET

By helping each other in need, we effectively obey Jesus’ teachings.

Worshiping God

II.Worshiping God

Worship God together

Ezra [a priest] praised the great Lord God, and the people shouted, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed with their faces to the ground and worshiped the Lord.   Nehemiah 8:6 CEV

Worship God in spirit

[Jesus:]  God is spirit, and the people who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.   John 4:24 CEV

To worship “in spirit” is primarily an inward activity, rather than being centered on the performing of ceremonial acts. It involves our spirit – and thus our mind and will.

Serving God

III.Serving God

Do God’s work together

[Paul, to Syzygus:]  And, my true partner, I ask you to help them. These women have worked together with me and with Clement and with the others in spreading the good news.   Philippians 4:3a CEV

Be devoted to God’s work

Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your work in the Lord is never wasted.   1 Corinthians 15:58b NCV™

Pray to God for help in the work

[The believers, praying:]  Lord, listen to their threats! We are your servants. So make us brave enough to speak your message. 30Show your mighty power, as we heal people and work miracles and wonders in the name of your holy Servant Jesus.   Acts 4:29-30 CEV

Significant Practices

IV.Significant Practices

Baptism, in the name of Jesus Christ

On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.   Acts 19:5 ISV

By being baptized in or into the “name” of Jesus Christ, a person declares their identification and relationship with Jesus Christ and also their commitment to him.

The Lord’s Supper, in memory of his death

[Paul, to believers:]  For I received from the Lord the teaching that I passed on to you: that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took a piece of bread, 24gave thanks to God, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in memory of me.” 25In the same way, after the supper he took the cup and said, “This cup is God’s new covenant, sealed with my blood. Whenever you drink it, do so in memory of me.”   1 Corinthians 11:23-25 GNT