Grow: First Steps with Jesusنموونە

CHURCH LIFE

Healthy church life is an integral part of our spiritual walk with God, just as important as Bible study and prayer. Our relationship with Jesus is expressed in relationships with other believers.

Allow me to encourage you with some reasons to live in spiritual community.

1. We need support and encouragement on this journey with Jesus. Our fellowship with fellow believers is crucial. Paul often spoke of us being members of one another like the different parts of our body belong together. You can read this in Ephesians 4:16.
2. Your growth and your development is accelerated in the body of Christ (the Church). Ephesians 4:16 tells us that as we are joined together, the body of Christ will ‘build itself up in love.’ Our God-experience is richly enhanced when we regularly meet with other believers for Bible Study, worship and to do outreaches together. 
3. Together we also bring light to our world. As a team, we maximize the positive influence of our faith in society. Matthew 5:14: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”  The church becomes the light that shines on others through its people.

Here are a few practical tips as you become a part of a healthy church.

In Acts 2:42-47 we read that the first group of believers met regularly in two different spaces. The first was to gather regularly in private homes. This was due to their need for fellowship.  The second was in the temple where they could hear the teaching of the apostles.

We can enjoy the church in the same way today. We meet weekly in larger groups (mostly on a Sunday) as the church to worship and be taught from the Word. But then church-life reaches its full potential as we also meet weekly in small groups. 

Christians are by no means perfect! Be prepared that sometimes people will disappoint you, but the body of Christ is the best place to grow together.

A last observation is that the church does not exist for itself, but for the community. The fellowship and the sense of family has a much bigger purpose. A healthy church has a great impact on its community and city. Jesus and His Kingdom is made visible to people through the church in our city’s homes and workplaces and other organizations. That is why we believe in the church!

Daily Affirmation: "I am an active participator in a life-giving church of Jesus Christ."

Action Step for Today: List the activities of the 1st church in Acts by reading Acts 2:42-47. Share it with another person.