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Basic Discipleship
Written by Dr. Lester Hutson

This material is copyrighted c2002 and may not be copied or reproduced without the express written permission of the Berean Baptist Church.

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PHASE 3      CHURCH ORIENTATION AND EDIFICATION

SESSION 6

 

THE FOUNTAINHEAD OF SERVICE

 

This session begins with a summary review.  Going back into Phase 2, this is the eighth consecutive session that has dealt with the church.  It is vitally important that every believer see the value and importance of the church and a Christian life centered in it.  No discipleship process could be complete or effective apart from serious attention to the church and the believer's relationship to it.  Early in the process a large section of Basic Discipleship has therefore been devoted to an understanding of the church.  This session causes the disciple to look back at an overview of what he has learned.

It also introduces additional considerations regarding the church, including emphasis on how important the church is to Jesus Christ.  Some of the questions are designed to provoke your disciple to see clearly that the church belongs to Christ, not to the pastor.  They are also designed to bring to his attention that not every "church" that calls itself a church is one that Jesus claims as "my" church.  The real intent here is to cause the disciple to recognize what a true church of Jesus Christ is and to love and appreciate it more.

Another part of this session emphasizes church authority.  A large percentage of today's Christian World places almost no value on church authority.  As far as many are concerned, there is no real need for churches.  In their opinion the work of God could and would go right on if no church existed.  They do not believe that such activities as baptism, the planting of new churches, the Lord's Supper or missionary work need church authority to be legitimate.  They believe the authority for such activities comes directly from God and can by-pass churches altogether and still be legitimate.  They therefore think the work of God can be done just as legitimately through a man or a parachurch organization as it can be done through a church.  This session brings to focus the fact that the Lord's work is to be done through His church.

The final part of this session encourages your disciple to become a truly functional servant in his church.  This is God's intention for every believer. There are many places within the church for service.  Your disciple may not realize that.  If he does, he may not know how to go about establishing himself in a church service role.  You may have to hold his hand at this stage of his development.  Help him see where he will best fit.  Introduce him to the person in charge of music.  Take him to the right Sunday school class and introduce him to the teacher and other members.  Do not assume that your disciple will take the initiative to establish himself in a place of service within the church. Chances are, he will need your help. Please help him to become a happy servant of the Lord in and through his church.

Discipleship Minister, you are the tool of God.  You are not working with bricks, wood or hammers and nails.  You are working with a precious soul and your tool is the word of God.  Don't take your assignment lightly.

The church!  What exactly is a church?  Remember that Strong's Concordance from a few lessons ago?  It has a dictionary of New Testament Greek words.  Reference 1577 shows the word translated church into English is ekklesia (ek‑klay‑see'‑ah) in the Greek language.  It is a compound Greek word made up from (1) ek  meaning out of  [reference 1537] and (2) kaleo meaning to call [reference 2564].  In the strictest sense the word church means to call out.  The Greek scholar James Strong is in harmony with the usage found in scripture when he denotes the word church to be a called out assembly.

You already know something about your church.  Look back in your Basic Discipleship Disciple's Notebook to remind yourself of some of the things you have learned about the church, then complete this exercise.

 

What I Already Know About the Lord's Church

 

1.             My church is my spiritual support group.

2.             My church is made up of those joined with it, not of all saved people.

3.             The Bible says my church is the body of Christ. As such it is a mighty resource for my protection and welfare.

4.             As a member attached to other members of the body (church), I am accountable to work for the welfare of every other member and the body corporate.

5.             The government of my church is congregational.

6.             The two permanent offices in my church are pastors and deacons.

7.             Upon the first day of the week, I should assemble with other members of my church to worship God.

8.             For worship to be valid it must be done in spirit and in truth.

9.             I observe my church practicing five formal acts of corporate worship. They are preaching, praying, giving, singing and The Lord's Supper.

10.           God is the owner of all things.

11.           I can only achieve true freedom from bondage when I make Jesus Christ my master.

12.           A spirit of giving is vital to my welfare as a steward of God's material treasures.

13.           My church keeps three routine ordinances. The are The Lord's Supper, baptism and the Lord's day.

14.           By keeping these ordinances my church constantly preaches the gospel of Christ.

15.           It is becoming increasingly clear to me that my church is very important to my spiritual welfare.

 

HOW IMPORTANT IS MY CHURCH TO JESUS CHRIST?

                To learn more about your church and its relationship to Jesus Christ, match the proper scriptures to the correct concepts. 

1. Not all "churches" belong to Jesus                           (6) Ehesians 5:25 

2. He "purchased" His church with His own blood      (4) Ephesians 5:23 

3. His church can "come together in one place"        (1) Matthew 16:18 

4. He is "the head" over His church                           (5) Revelation 1:13 

5. He walks "in the midst" of His churches                (3) Corinthians 4:23 

6. He "loved the church and gave himself for it"     (2) Acts 20:28 

        In view of what you have just seen in this exercise, ask yourself these questions and meditate on them. 

1.             What does Jesus' use of "my church" say about the church of Satan or a type of church that originated after Christ's earthly ministry?

2.             Many churches are referred to as "Pastor Jones' church" or as belonging to some other pastor. Is this proper?

3.             Who really owns every true church? The pastor? The people?

4.             To whom should every church submit itself?

5.             Can a church be legitimately called a true church of Jesus Christ if it is incapable of assembly?

6.             Are denominations really a church?

7.             Should any organization outside of a true church ever be thought of as a church? What about parachurch organizations?

8.             If Christ loved your church enough to give Himself for it, how much love, passion and allegiance should you have for it?

9.             What would lack of support for your church (attendance, finances, time, morale) say about your feelings toward it?

10.           What is your track record regarding support for the church of Jesus Christ? 


GOD'S AUTHORIZED AGENCY ON EARTH TODAY

                 Remember from Ephesians 3 that God's "family" (vs. 15) and His "church" (vs. 21) are not one and the same. All saved persons, both Old Testament and New Testament, constitute the family of God.  Only baptized believers constitute His church. Remember, too,  that His church did not exist in the Old Testament.  Jesus personally established His first church when He called out the apostles and sent them forth in Luke  6:12-16.

                Of the assembly which Jesus called "my church" certain characteristics are seen in the New Testament.  His is not merely a called out assembly.  It is a called out assembly made up only of (1) a certain class of people (2) who have met a certain requirement.  It has a (3) definite assignment and is (4) to keep certain practices.  Look up the Bible verses to see what these special characteristics of Jesus' church are.

 

1.             The only class of people eligible for church membership    (4)1 Cor. 11:2    

2.             The requirement believers must meet in order to become members    (2) Acts 2:41

3.             The definite assignment give to churches    (1) Acts 2:41 

4.             Churches are to keep the ordinances    (3) Mat. 28:19-20 

                A true church of Jesus Christ is made up of baptized believers covenanted together to carry out the great commission and to keep the ordinances. Each such church is "an habitation of God through the Spirit" (Ephesians 2:20).

 

EPHESIANS 3:21

                Attempt to memorize this verse.  A good way to do so is to read this verse five times a day each day this week.  Progressively try to say the verse before looking at the reference.

                Read Ephesians 3:8-21.  In view of the teachings of this passage, particularly verse 21, and the other passages about Jesus Christ and His church, answer the following multiple choice questions.

 

1.Worship:

                A.    Need not be a church but is the prerogative of any group of  believers.

                B.    Can be done anywhere at any time without regard to the church.

                C.    Is acceptable however offered as long as the worshipper is sincere.

                D.    Is to be offered corporately in a church upon the first day of the week.

2.             The formal work of God on earth is to always be rooted in:

                A.   church.

                B.    A parachurch organization.

                C.    Some denomination.

                D.    Some group of concerned believers.

3.                Legitimate baptism can be performed by:

                A     Any other believer.

                B.    Any ordained minister.

                C.    Only by the authority of a legitimate church.

                D.    By any church that calls itself Christian.

4.             The tithe can legitimately be given:

                A.    Only to the church where one is a member.

                B.    To a televangelist.

                C.    To any church one might desire.

                D.    Directly to the pastor.

5.                Missionary work can be legitimately carried out:

                A.    By a missionary board, convention, society, alliance, association, fellowship or other sincere and reputable parachurch organization.

                B.    Without regard to church authority.

                C.    Only by the authority of a legitimate church.

                D.    Any way good people see fit.

6.             Church authority is:

                A.   Important.

                B.    Not important.

                C.    Very important.

                D.    A matter of opinion.

7.             Every believer should carry out his work for God:

                A.    As his heart dictates.

                B.    Through the authority of one of the Lord's churches.

                C.    Without serious regard to whether or not it is church based.

                D.     Only if conditions are perfect. 

A PLACE OF SERVICE

          You have probably noticed that your church is not only a place of worship, it is also a place of service which is sometimes called ministry. Consult the following verses for a glimpse of God's intentions regarding ministry in the life of every believer. Fill in the blanks.

1. Ephesians 2:10.           "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."   

2. Matthew 5:16.                 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

3. Titus 2:7.           "In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works." 

4. Matthew 20:27.                 "And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant." 

5. Romans 12:1.                 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies  of God, that ye present your bodies a living  sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is  your reasonable service." 

          Look around your church. Underline the places of service that you see there. Do not think that this is a complete list. 

                Look around your church. Underline the places of service that you see there. Do not think that this is a complete list. 

  

CHURCH MINISTRY IS FOR EVERY MEMBER

        Complete the following exercise to learn more about ministry.

1. Ephesians 4:16.       Explain the words “every joint supplieth” in light of this verse.

2. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3.   All service is vain apart from what motive? Love 

3. Psalm 100:2.            All service to the lord should be with “gladness”.

 

        You should find a place of service somewhere in your church.  As you serve the Lord in His church, you should do it with love and gladness.  “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” (Colossians 3:23).

 

"It Does Make a Difference What You Believe"