T2L5 The Local Church [Discipleship Class]
- Rev. Bruce A. Shields
- 12 minutes ago
- 13 min read
THE HOUSE OF FAITH CHURCH | REPLUM DISCIPLESHIP COURSE
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TERM 2 LESSON 5: THE LOCAL CHURCH
KEY VERSE TO MEMORIZE
"Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching." - Hebrews 10:24-25
LESSON OVERVIEW
Many people today think they can be Christians without being part of a local church. They say things like "I love Jesus, but I don't need the church" or "I can worship God on my own." But is this what the Bible teaches? Today we'll discover that the local church is God's plan for Christian living and growth. The church is not a building or an organization - it's a community of believers who gather regularly to worship, learn, serve, and encourage one another.
WHAT IS THE CHURCH?
THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH
The word "church" (Greek: ekklesia) means "called out ones." The universal church includes all believers everywhere:
"and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all." (Ephesians 1:22-23)
"For as we have many members in one body, and all the members don't have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another." (Romans 12:4-5)
The universal church consists of everyone who has trusted Christ for salvation.
THE LOCAL CHURCH
The local church is a specific group of believers who gather regularly in a particular location:
"Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, to the assembly of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, both theirs and ours." (1 Corinthians 1:1-2)
"The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you much in the Lord, with the assembly that is in their house." (1 Corinthians 16:19)
THE CHURCH IS NOT A BUILDING
The church is people, not a physical structure:
"Don't you know that you are a temple of God, and that God's Spirit lives in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16)
"in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:22)
Believers are the temple of God, both individually and collectively.
THE CHURCH IS CHRIST'S BODY
The church is described as the body of Christ:
"Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually." (1 Corinthians 12:27)
"For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ." (1 Corinthians 12:12)
Each believer is a vital part of Christ's body with unique functions.
GOD'S PURPOSES FOR THE LOCAL CHURCH
WORSHIP
The church gathers to worship God together:
"I was glad when they said to me, 'Let's go to Yahweh's house!'" (Psalm 122:1)
"But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to be his worshipers." (John 4:23)
Corporate worship is different from private worship and is essential for church life.
TEACHING AND LEARNING
The church is responsible for teaching God's Word:
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
"Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you." (Matthew 28:19-20)
FELLOWSHIP
Believers need community with other Christians:
"They continued steadfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer." (Acts 2:42)
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)
EVANGELISM
The church is called to share the gospel:
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth." (Acts 1:8)
"Go into all the world, and preach the Good News to the whole creation." (Mark 16:15)
SERVICE
The church serves both its members and the community:
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10)
"So then, as we have opportunity, let's do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith." (Galatians 6:10)
THE IMPORTANCE OF CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
WE NEED EACH OTHER
God designed us to need other believers:
"For as we have many members in one body, and all the members don't have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another." (Romans 12:4-5)
"Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25)
MUTUAL ENCOURAGEMENT
Believers are called to encourage one another:
"Therefore encourage one another, and build each other up, just as you also do." (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
"But exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called 'today;' lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." (Hebrews 3:13)
ACCOUNTABILITY
The church provides healthy accountability:
"Brothers, if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren't tempted." (Galatians 6:1)
"Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed." (James 5:16)
USING SPIRITUAL GIFTS
Our spiritual gifts are meant to be used in the church:
"But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all." (1 Corinthians 12:7)
"As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God." (1 Peter 4:10)
PROTECTION FROM FALSE TEACHING
The church helps protect members from doctrinal error:
"that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, Christ." (Ephesians 4:14-15)
CHURCH LEADERSHIP
PASTORS/ELDERS
God has appointed pastors (also called elders or overseers) to lead the church:
"Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the Lord and God, which he purchased with his own blood." (Acts 20:28)
"Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith." (Hebrews 13:7)
QUALIFICATIONS FOR LEADERSHIP
Scripture gives specific qualifications for church leaders:
"The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching; not a drinker, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all reverence." (1 Timothy 3:2-4)
DEACONS
Deacons serve the practical needs of the church:
"Therefore select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business." (Acts 6:3)
"Servants, in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for money." (1 Timothy 3:8)
SUBMISSION TO LEADERSHIP
Members should respect and follow godly leadership:
"Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy, and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you." (Hebrews 13:17)
"We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you." (1 Thessalonians 5:12)
THE ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH
BAPTISM
Baptism is the believer's public declaration of faith:
"He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned." (Mark 16:16)
"Or don't you know that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him through baptism to death, that just like Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:3-4)
Baptism symbolizes our death to sin and resurrection to new life in Christ.
THE LORD'S SUPPER
The Lord's Supper (Communion) remembers Christ's sacrifice:
"For I received from the Lord that which also I delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread. When he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, 'Take, eat. This is my body, which is broken for you. Do this in memory of me.' In the same way he also took the cup, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink, in memory of me.'" (1 Corinthians 11:23-25)
"For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." (1 Corinthians 11:26)
PROPER PARTICIPATION
Both ordinances require proper understanding and attitude:
"But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup." (1 Corinthians 11:28)
"Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38)
CHURCH DISCIPLINE
THE PURPOSE OF DISCIPLINE
Church discipline is meant to restore, not punish:
"Brothers, if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren't tempted." (Galatians 6:1)
"This punishment which was inflicted by the many is sufficient for such a one; so that on the contrary you should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his excessive sorrow." (2 Corinthians 2:6-7)
THE PROCESS OF DISCIPLINE
Jesus outlined the process for addressing sin:
"If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother. But if he doesn't listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector." (Matthew 18:15-17)
THE GOAL IS RESTORATION
The ultimate goal is to bring the person back to fellowship:
"I wrote to you in my letter to have no company with sexual sinners; yet not at all meaning with the sexual sinners of this world, or with the covetous and extortioners, or with idolaters; for then you would have to leave the world." (1 Corinthians 5:9-10)
"But now I write to you not to associate with anyone who is called a brother who is a sexual sinner, or covetous, or an idolater, or a slanderer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner. Don't even eat with such a person." (1 Corinthians 5:11)
QUALITIES OF A HEALTHY CHURCH
BIBLICAL TEACHING
A healthy church teaches God's Word accurately:
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16)
"Be diligent to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn't need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)
LOVING FELLOWSHIP
Members care for one another genuinely:
"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35)
"Let brotherly love continue." (Hebrews 13:1)
MEANINGFUL WORSHIP
Worship is heartfelt and God-centered:
"God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4:24)
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to God." (Colossians 3:16)
OUTWARD FOCUS
The church reaches out to the community:
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth." (Acts 1:8)
"So then, as we have opportunity, let's do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith." (Galatians 6:10)
GODLY LEADERSHIP
Leaders meet biblical qualifications and serve humbly:
"The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching." (1 Timothy 3:2)
"Neither as lording it over those entrusted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock." (1 Peter 5:3)
HOW TO BE A GOOD CHURCH MEMBER
ATTEND REGULARLY
Consistent attendance is important:
"not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25)
"I was glad when they said to me, 'Let's go to Yahweh's house!'" (Psalm 122:1)
PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY
Engage in church life, don't just attend:
"Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works." (Hebrews 10:24)
"As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God." (1 Peter 4:10)
GIVE FAITHFULLY
Support the church's ministry financially:
"On the first day of the week, let each one of you save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come." (1 Corinthians 16:2)
"Each man should give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7)
SERVE WILLINGLY
Use your gifts to serve others:
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10)
"Whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant." (Mark 10:43)
MAINTAIN UNITY
Work to preserve the church's unity:
"being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:3)
"Now I beg you, brothers, through the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment." (1 Corinthians 1:10)
ENCOURAGE OTHERS
Build up fellow believers:
"Therefore encourage one another, and build each other up, just as you also do." (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
"Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29)
KEY POINTS SUMMARY
• The church is the body of Christ, both universal (all believers) and local (specific congregations)
• God's purposes for the church include worship, teaching, fellowship, evangelism, and service
• Church membership provides mutual encouragement, accountability, and protection
• God has appointed pastors/elders and deacons to lead the church
• The church practices two ordinances: baptism and the Lord's Supper
• Church discipline aims to restore wandering members in love
• Healthy churches have biblical teaching, loving fellowship, meaningful worship, outward focus, and godly leadership
• Good church members attend regularly, participate actively, give faithfully, serve willingly, maintain unity, and encourage others
SELF-REFLECTION QUESTIONS
How do you currently view the importance of the local church in your spiritual life?
Are you actively participating in a local church? If not, what is preventing you from getting involved?
What spiritual gifts do you have that you could use to serve in your church?
How can you be a better church member in terms of attendance, participation, giving, and serving?
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
Find a Biblical Church: If you're not currently part of a local church, pray about finding one that teaches God's Word faithfully and provides opportunities for fellowship and service.
Commit to Membership: Don't just attend church - become a committed member who participates actively in the life of the congregation.
Discover Your Role: Ask God to show you how He wants you to serve in your church. Every member has gifts and abilities that the body needs.
Support Your Leaders: Pray for your pastors and church leaders regularly. Support them with encouragement and follow their godly leadership.
Be a Peacemaker: Work to maintain unity in your church. Don't participate in gossip or division, but help resolve conflicts in a biblical way.
QUIZ - THE LOCAL CHURCH
Instructions: Answer all questions honestly. Check your answers with the answer key below. Calculate your score and write it in the space provided.
True or False: The church is primarily a building where Christians meet.
Fill in the blank: "Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own ______assembling_______ together."
Multiple Choice: According to 1 Corinthians 12:27, the church is: a) A human organization b) The body of Christ c) A social club d) A business
True or False: Christians can grow spiritually just as well on their own without being part of a local church.
Fill in the blank: "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have _______love______ for one another."
Multiple Choice: The two ordinances of the church are: a) Prayer and worship b) Teaching and fellowship c) Baptism and Lord's Supper d) Giving and serving
True or False: Church discipline is meant to punish people for their sins.
Fill in the blank: "As each has received a gift, employ it in ______serving_______ one another, as good managers of the grace of God."
Multiple Choice: According to Hebrews 13:17, how should we relate to church leaders? a) Question everything they say b) Obey and submit to them c) Ignore their authority d) Only follow them when convenient
Short Answer: What are the main purposes of the local church?
ANSWER KEY
False (The church is people, not a building - 1 Corinthians 3:16)
assembling
b) The body of Christ
False (Hebrews 10:24-25 shows we need fellowship with other believers)
love
c) Baptism and Lord's Supper
False (Church discipline aims to restore, not punish - Galatians 6:1)
serving
b) Obey and submit to them
Any answer mentioning: worship, teaching/learning, fellowship, evangelism, service
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