Look To JesusSample

"The Church is Your Family"

The church – your local group of believers – will encourage and guide you as you grow spiritually.

When you became a follower of Jesus, you were “born again” (John 3:3). Can you imagine being a newborn baby just coming home, and your parents left you alone on the floor, giving you no food, milk, clean diapers, or love? That would be terrible!

The Church -- Not a Building, But People
As a physical family makes sure you get fed and loved, the church – your local group of believers – will encourage and guide you as you grow spiritually.

One of the most important things your church does is remind you often of the main points of the gospel:

• Jesus Christ died to pay the penalty for your sins and rose again to show His power over death,
• Everyone who has by faith received God’s free gift is forgiven of their sins and becomes God’s child,
• Jesus lives in each believer today through His Holy Spirit, giving them power to live a God-pleasing life.

The Church is a Team
Not only do YOU need the church, but the church needs YOU! Imagine a soccer team where everyone wanted to be the goalkeeper. How ridiculous to have 11 goalies! God has designed the church with different roles -- meaning, the team is not complete without you, and you are lacking without the team.

"But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body" (1 Corinthians 12:18-20).

Don’t Let the Wolves Get You
When a pack of wolves goes hunting, they try to separate young or weak animals from the herd, where they are easily captured and eaten. Satan looks for people to devour, just like wolves do (1 Peter 5:8). By spending time with other believers, you’ll grow strong in your faith. Then, you can resist the devil, and he’ll run away from you (James 4:7).

Look to Jesus
Do you meet with other believers regularly? If not, ask God to help you find a group of strong believers to meet with. He knows how desperately you need to be connected to other followers of Jesus and have a spiritual family. And share this message with someone who needs to hear it. If you do not have a church family, ask God to lead you to one or to a Christian in your area.