The Church of Joy, Williamson Ga

Today we start a new series called “I Love my Church.”

This series developed out of a simple phrase:
(NIV) - as each part does its work
(NKJV) - every part does its share
(NASB) - every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part
(NLT) - each part does its own special work

Let's look at this in context: Ephesians 4:11-16

The truth is, we each have a part to play which is part of a greater purpose - love God, love your neighbor.

In this series I will try to help you understand "your part" better. This series has a study guide that I'll provide. Listen to the sermons and work through the study guide. Let me know if you have questions. Let's begin:

Study Guide Intro
Our church has never been about the building where we meet or the programs that we conduct or even how great the preaching and music are, but it’s about the people who gather together there. It’s about us. Over the next five weeks, we will be focusing on how we as a group of believers can love our church more and how that love overflows in to our community.

What does it look like to the community around us when we love each other the way that Jesus loves us?

Think It Through

Read John 13:34-35.

When you are telling someone good-bye, the things that you say in your last moments together are important. You want them to be remembered. Jesus spoke the words in John 13:34-35 hours before His death. He challenged the people in the church to love one another.

• Who is Jesus speaking to in these verses?

• What do you think is the significance of Jesus making this a new commandment?

• According to these verses, what is the impact of having love for one another?

• Tell about a time when someone unexpectedly extended kindness to you.

• In your opinion, what kinds of gestures show love to family members? Friends? Acquaintances? Strangers?

• In which category would you put most of the people in our church: family, friends, acquaintances, or strangers?

Sometimes it’s difficult to connect with people at church. When you only see each other one or two hours a week, it can be hard to know people, much less love them. Sometimes past hurts make it difficult to love our church. Yet, Jesus still commands it. It was His intent that our love for each other be so obvious that it would be the marker that identifies us as belonging to Him.

• What do you think prevents people in the church from expressing love to each other?

• What advice would you give someone who wants to overcome these obstacles?

• What effect does a congregation’s behavior have on people who do not attend that church?

Loving one another is risky. It can get personal. It can make us vulnerable. It can also give us insight into our Christian walk, provide us opportunities to serve, and open us up to irreplaceable friendships.

Jesus commanded it for us. And by our love for one another, the world will know Jesus’ love for them.

How Does This Apply to Me?
What is the biggest obstacle you personally need to overcome in order to show love to the people in this church?

What steps are you willing to take to overcome that obstacle?

How Does This Apply to Our Church?
If half of the people in this study decided to extend an act of love within our church this week, how would it affect the congregation?

How would it affect the congregation if they committed to an act of love every week for a month?

What steps can we take to make our church known in our community by the love we have for God and for them?

What Am I Going to Do with What I Know Now?
Take a moment to pray and ask God to bring to mind one person
in your church. If you know the person’s name, write it down on
a piece of paper. If not, write down a few words describing the
person. Now ask God to show you one way that you can love that
person this week. He may give you something simple like pray for
them every day, or He may give you something riskier like meeting
a need they have.

For a more in-depth look in to "your part," join us on Wednesday nights as we walk through Ephesians together.