Belonging to a church (A)
Remember, we did two lessons (9 and 10) about
REVEAL ANSWER
.Now, today and next week, we’ll focus on belonging to a church.
Today: being a member of Christ’s body, the church.
We’ll study Ephesians 4, Romans 12, and 1 Corinthians 12
Open your Bibles, scroll to Ephesians 4 from verse 11.
Let’s read out loud together Ephesians 4:11-16 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Question 1
Who is the body in verses 12 and 15? Who gave the ministers to the church (verse 11)? Why does this person within the trinity gave these positions? (verse 15)
Question 2
The verb “grow” is used twice. What kind of growth is Paul talking about?
Question 3
The word “love” is used twice. What happens when love is used?
Question 4
Who is ‘him’ in verse 16? Is he the source in the growing process and holding the body together?
What is the condition for the body to be built up (vs 16)?
Do you take part in that and are you a supporting ligament?
Question 5
Can you think of examples of how this works in real life?
The importance of being in a good growing church
is described in Romans 12:4-5 4 For 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, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Question 6
What are the two main points in this passage?
Different people and gifts
*1 Corinthians 12:4-6* says 4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
Question 7
What are the main points in this passage?
Question 8
Based on these main points, how should we treat other members of the body?
Different nationalities and social classes in one body
*1 Corinthians 12:12-14* says 12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
How revolutionary was it back then, when slaves and free, Jews and Gentiles, nationals and internationals were equal members of the same body.
Question 9
Why did God put them all in one body? More than one reason?
Question 10
Look at yourself. Are there thoughts and attitudes that need to change
about this issue? If so, are you willing to repent? Look for answers in verses 15-26.
Save this worksheet by pushing EMAIL-button
Close in prayer.
Remember, we did two lessons (9 and 10) about
REVEAL ANSWER
.Now, today and next week, we’ll focus on belonging to a church.
Today: being a member of Christ’s body, the church.
We’ll study Ephesians 4, Romans 12, and 1 Corinthians 12
Open your Bibles, scroll to Ephesians 4 from verse 11.
Let’s read out loud together Ephesians 4:11-16 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Question 1
Who is the body in verses 12 and 15? Who gave the ministers to the church (verse 11)? Why does this person within the trinity gave these positions? (verse 15)
Question 2
The verb “grow” is used twice. What kind of growth is Paul talking about?
Question 3
The word “love” is used twice. What happens when love is used?
Question 4
Who is ‘him’ in verse 16? Is he the source in the growing process and holding the body together?
What is the condition for the body to be built up (vs 16)?
Do you take part in that and are you a supporting ligament?
Question 5
Can you think of examples of how this works in real life?
The importance of being in a good growing church
is described in Romans 12:4-5 4 For 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, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Question 6
What are the two main points in this passage?
Different people and gifts
*1 Corinthians 12:4-6* says 4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
Question 7
What are the main points in this passage?
Question 8
Based on these main points, how should we treat other members of the body?
Different nationalities and social classes in one body
*1 Corinthians 12:12-14* says 12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
How revolutionary was it back then, when slaves and free, Jews and Gentiles, nationals and internationals were equal members of the same body.
Question 9
Why did God put them all in one body? More than one reason?
Question 10
Look at yourself. Are there thoughts and attitudes that need to change
about this issue? If so, are you willing to repent? Look for answers in verses 15-26.
Save this worksheet by pushing EMAIL-button
Close in prayer.