Characteristics of a Church Worth Attending

1. A church worth attending is outwardly oriented.

“So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria…”

2. A church worth attending is intentionally diverse.

“...and Samaria…”

3. A church worth attending is relationally unified.

“...had peace…”

4. A church worth attending is driven to develop people.

“The church...was being built up.”

“...churches who have an intentional leadership development plan for their members are churches who have a greater likelihood of seeing more people make decisions for Christ.” - Ed Stetzer

5. A church worth attending is vertically focused.

“The church was...walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit…”

6. A church worth attending is purposefully multiplying.

“The church...multiplied.”

DISCUSSION GUIDE

Use these questions to reflect on this week's message as a family or group.

1. If you have been active in a church in your past, reflect back and describe your best experiences with a local church.

2. Now reflect back on the time when you grew most spiritually in your life. Was your growth catalyst a Sunday morning experience or an outside experience like a youth camp, mission trip, or some type of life-altering event?

3. Read Acts 2:42-47. What were some of the characteristics of the early church?

4. Read Acts 9:31. Pastor Brian described “a church worth attending” from this passage. Which of these traits do you see in churches in general today? Is it enough to just be focused on one of these? (Outwardly Oriented, Intentionally Diverse, Relationally Unified, Driven to Develop People, Vertically Focused, Purposefully Multiplying)