Discover the Church (Full Booklet) by Free for All

What is church? Going to one on Sundays, belonging to a midweek group, or giving money and time in support of ministry? In Scripture, God tells us that he has a much bigger vision for and expectation of his church than we often care to think. In fact, in the New Testament we learn that the church is God's primary work in the world today. Empowered by his Holy Spirit and directed by the Scriptures, local churches are God's tools for accomplishing his will, in his world. If you are Christian then this is what God has made you a part of! "Discover the Church" will help you find your place and purpose in Christ's church.

Discover

the Church

DISCOVER THE CHURCH

__________________________

Daily Readings and Bible Studies

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 1

DISCOVER THE CHURCH written by Graham Heslop Christ Church Umhlanga, 2015

57 Hambridge Avenue Umhlanga, 4019 South Africa 031 572 6542 admin@ccu.org.za www.ccu.org.za

No copyright - Free for All

Download and copy from: www.freeforall.co.za/discover-the-church

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 2

Contents

Page Introduction 5 1. God creates the Church by his Gospel Acts 2:1-13, 36-47 7 2. God governs the Church by his Word 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 11 3. Marks of the Church (1): Unity Ephesians 2:11-22 15 4. Marks of the Church (2): Diversity Ephesians 4:7-16 19 5. Marks of the Church (3): Love 1 John 3:11-18 23 6. Marks of the Church (4): Holiness 1 Peter 2:9-12 27 7. Church Discipline 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 31 8. The Mission of the Church Matthew 28:16-20 35

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 3

For other titles in the DISCOVER series, please visit: www.freeforall.co.za/discover Discover Jesus Discover Discipleship Discover the Bible Discover the Church For titles in the GROW series, please visit: www.freeforall.co.za/grow Origins (Genesis 1-3) When Two Become One (Ephesians)

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 4

Introduction Introducing “Discover the Church”

In Ephesians 3 we read that the church was created by God to display his manifold wisdom. This remarkably high view of church - which over the course I will argue is actually indicative of the church being the epicentre of God's purposes in the world - does not fit with many of us and our understanding or experience of the church. However, God is clear in his Word that the church is his, bought by the blood of Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, therefore it will succeed. It is our prayer that this short course, majoring on a few but not all of what God tells us about the church in Scripture, will challenge our underdeveloped views of God's people gathered as local churches. We also pray that it will serve as a challenge to those who sit lightly on the church rather than being enthralled by God's cosmic and powerful plan for it. How to use this book This booklet is designed to be used privately and corporately. There is one passage that will be studied each week. Before coming to “Discover the Church”, work through the questions on days 1 to 5. Each question will be based on the passage being studied. It won’t take you more than 10 minutes to note down your thoughts. These will form the basis of your time together.

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 5

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 6

God creates the Church by his Gospel

______________________________________________________________

Acts 2 : 1 - 13, 36 - 47

______________________________________________________________

It is worth making the point, at the start of our course, that the church is both God’s idea and creation. On the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, we see that the church results when the gospel of Jesus Christ is powerfully preached and believed, through the effective work of the Holy Spirit. The church is a new work of God in an old pattern, as a people are formed and gathered by his Word.

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 7

Acts 2:1-13, 36-47 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and 3 filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to 4 be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as 5 the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing 6 Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them 7 speaking in his own language. Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all 8 these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us 9 hears them in his own native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; 10 residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors 11 from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs--we 12 hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" Amazed 13 and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?" Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine." 1 2

"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom 37 you crucified, both Lord and Christ." When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, 38 what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will 39 receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children 40 and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save 41 yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their 42 number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and 43 to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the 44 45 apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. 46 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke 47 bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 8

Daily Reading

In Acts we read about the beginnings and growth of the Christian church. Considering Peter’s words in 2:36 , and his quoting of the Old Testament ( 2:16-21, 25-28, 34-35 ), is the church a clean break from what God was doing through Israel?

We are told in 2:41 that those who received Peter’s message were baptised; joining the church (see 2:42-47). What was his message about ( 2:22-24, 32 )? What was the response to and result of accepting Peter’s message ( 2:38 )?

Peter preached Jesus’ death ( 2:23 ) and resurrection ( 2:24, 32-36 ). What do we learn about each? Note that Peter has much to say regarding Jesus’ resurrection, do you think we underplay its significance in our preaching and practice?

Though this first sermon is preached in Jerusalem ( 2:5 ), who is Peter’s audience ( 2:6-11 )? How is one added to the Christian community? Does one need to fit a demographic, speak a certain language, dress a specific way, or subscribe to a culture?

We are told that the early church “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching” ( 2:42 ). Who was both the source and subject of their teaching? How can we access this teaching? Would you say that you’re devoted to it?

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 9

Group Study

Personal Application

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 10

God governs the Church by his Word

______________________________________________________________

2 Timothy 3 : 14 - 4 : 5

______________________________________________________________

Last week we saw how the church was formed by God’s gospel being preached and believed. In our second study we will learn that the church was, and is, also governed by God’s words, in Scripture. After Pentecost, the church was devoted to the apostles’ teaching, about Christ and living the Christian life. The church today must be similarly governed; we are God’s people, gathered by the gospel, and therefore we want to make sure that God is leading and shaping his church.

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 11

2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 14

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become

15 convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and

how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to 16 make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture

is Godbreathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and 17 training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly 4:1 equipped for every good work. In the presence of God and of Christ

Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his 2 appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word;

be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and 3 encouragewith great patience and careful instruction. For the time

will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of 4 teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their 5 ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your

head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 12

Daily Reading

Last week’s questions concluded by asking how we can access the apostles’ teaching (2:42), since they’re all long dead. List a few answers that people give to that question. How do we hear their message today ( John 17:20; 20:30-31; 1 John 1:1-4 )?

Considering a passage like Hebrews 1:1-3, should we expect revelation from God that takes us past his Son? What would the purpose of such revelation be? Why do people desire it?

According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, do we need more than Scripture to live the Christian life? We saw last week that the gospel creates the church, but how does God govern and order the life of the church?

Later, in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 , Paul warns the reader about a time when sound teaching will be dismissed and God’s truth ignored in favour of desirable but false teaching. How will the church be protected against this trend (see 2 Timothy 4:2)?

Scripture is “God-breathed” ( 2 Timothy 3:16 ), meaning that what is recorded in Scripture are God’s very words: sufficient, relevant and living. Do you treat Scripture as such? What would it look like if we did?

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 13

Group Study

Personal Application

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 14

Marks of the Church: (1) Unity

______________________________________________________________

Ephesians 2 : 11 - 22

______________________________________________________________

So far we have seen that God creates and governs the church by his Word. If we believe the gospel then we have been reconciled to God, brought to him through the work of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. As we are brought to God we are brought to other Christians, in the local church, united by our faith and hope. Many Christians view the gospel of grace as something that takes place between them and God, but our faith unites us to others in Christ.

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 15

Ephesians 2:11-22

Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and

called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that 12 done in the body by the hands of men) remember that at that time you

were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought

14 near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has

made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15

by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations.

His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus 16 making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God 17 through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and

preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were 18 19 near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens 20 with God's people and members of God's household, built on the

foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the 21 chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to 22 become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built

together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 16

Daily Reading

Apart from Christ we are dead ( 2:1-3 ), far away from God and without hope ( 2:12-13 ); new life is only enjoyed through faith that receives God’s grace by faith ( 2:8-10 ). Does belonging to a church mean we are right with God?

Does the reconciliation and peace that God has wrought in his gospel only bring us to himself (2:13; also see 1:7) or does it achieve more ( 2:14-16 )? What does it achieve?

Belonging to God, through the gospel, means we are brought together as believers, in local churches. Can one be a Christian without belonging to a local church? What would you say to someone who is insistent on not being part of a church?

Are Christians merely added to Israel, together making up the people of God, or has God done something ( 2:17-20 )? You might want to consult your notes from Discover the Bible .

In 2:19-22 Paul uses three analogies to describe the church. What are they? While the first and third are wonderful results of the gospel, we often fail to recognise the second: members of God’s household ( 2:19 ), which is 1st century language for family . How does this challenge your view of church?

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 17

Group Study

Personal Application

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 18

Marks of the Church: (2) Diversity

______________________________________________________________

Ephesians 4 : 7 - 16

______________________________________________________________

When we are reconciled to God we are united - sometimes even reconciled - to each other in Christ, by the preached gospel. The church is a local group of people who are joined by God to help one another mature in their faith, be strengthened in unity, and equipped for works of ministry. Therefore, diversity in a church is not only the result of very different people having nothing in common but their faith; it is also God’s design for building one another up through our various gifts.

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 19

Ephesians 4:7-16

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his

9 train and gave gifts to men." (What does "he ascended" mean except 10 that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions ? He who

descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, 11 in order to fill the whole universe.) It was he who gave some to be

apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to 12 be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of 13 service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach

unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the

waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into

16 him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body,

joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 20

Daily Reading

Note the “but” in 4:7 , indicating a contrast. What is the emphasis of the passages (4:1-6 and 4:7-16) either side of this important conjunction?

Last week there was an emphasis on unity, how God has created a new people through the work of Jesus Christ. But in 4:7-16 we learn that God has created churches full of diverse and differently gifted people. What is the reason for this diversity?

Ephesians 4:11 describes a set of teaching roles in the church. What is the purpose of these offices in the life of the church? Are they the only ones who do ministry ( 4:12 )? Do you seek to be trained for, not just taught by, the ministry of the church?

Last week we learned that our unity is grounded in the gospel. In this passage, what unity are we told to strive towards ( 4:13 )?

Churches are communities where people seek to use their gifts to build one another up into mature faith. God views diversity as a good thing and uses it for the growth of his church. Do you need to change your view of the local church and other people in it? Do you desire a church full of people like you or one where diversity is celebrated?

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 21

Group Study

Personal Application

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 22

Marks of the Church: (3) Love

______________________________________________________________

1 John 3 : 11 - 18

______________________________________________________________ Our previous passage concluded noting that the church enjoys a diverse unity

in Christ. That is a result of the indiscriminate gospel and purposed for the building up of the local church through various gifts. Our unity is forged by the truth of the gospel but must be maintained through truth and love. In the gospel we understand God’s unconditional love in giving us his Son and the Son’s self-sacrificial love in giving himself up for us. This love must inform how we treat one another; we must model ourselves and relationships in the church on how Christ loves the church.

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 23

1 John 3:11-18 This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love

12 one another. Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and

murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own 13 actions were evil and his brother's were righteous. Do not be 14 surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. We know that we have

passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who 15 does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a

murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for

17 us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone

has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity 18 on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not

love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 24

Daily Reading

The Beatles famously sang, “All you need is love,” but what did we learn last week about love and truth ( Ephesians 4:15 )? What would you say to someone who agrees with The Beatles’ sentiment? Is love all that the church needs in order to have unity? What is the basis of Christian unity?

In Matthew 22:34-40 Jesus is asked which commandment is the greatest, or most important. What is his answer? What might loving someone as you love yourself look like?

The call to love is given its truest meaning by the example of Christ (1 John 4:9-10). If Jesus is our model, how should we love ( 1 John 3:16-18; 4:11 ; also see Philippians 2:1-11)?

John makes some very striking contrasts between love that emulates Christ and its absence ( 1 John 2:9-11; 3:14-15; 4:7-8 ). Reflect honestly on how you are towards others in the church. Does your treatment of others embody Jesus’ unconditional and self-giving love or is it self-seeking?

Jesus was critical about merely loving people we like and who we know will love us back ( Luke 6:32-36 ). Do you go out of your way to show love to others in the church? Identify who you readily love in the church, why do you love them?

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 25

Group Study

Personal Application

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 26

Marks of the Church: (4) Holiness

______________________________________________________________

1 Peter 2 : 9 - 12

______________________________________________________________ The word ‘holy’ conjures very different pictures for different people. In this study we will think carefully about what God says regarding holiness in Scripture, for that is how he guides the church. Over the last three weeks we have seen that the church should be marked by unity in the gospel, diversity for growth, and love that guards our relationships. Holiness is another mark of Christ’s church, though there is some confusion about what it means. This week we will learn that it refers to us being already set apart in Christ and at the same time is something we should actively pursue, setting ourselves apart from the world.

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 27

1 Peter 2:9-12 9

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people

belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you 10 out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people,

but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but 11 now you have received mercy. Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and

strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against 12 your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they

accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 28

Daily Reading

1 Peter contains some wonderful reminders of the gospel, which both creates and governs the church. Reflect on 1:3-5; 2:24-25; 3:18 . Over the past five weeks think on some of the results of Christ’s work as well as how we should respond.

According to 1 Peter , how else should we respond to what God has done for us in Christ (1:13-19 )? How is holiness seen in the church (see 2:4-5)? What does becoming more holy look like?

What is God’s purpose for setting Christians apart ( 1 Peter 2:9, 12 )?

Do Christians need to continue setting themselves apart ( 1 Peter 2:11-12 ; refer back to 1:13-19; also see 5:8-11)?

How do we reconcile Scripture calling Christians holy (1 Corinthians 1:2) and calling Christians to be holy (1 Thessalonians 3:11-13)? Can you answer that question from 1 Peter 2:4-12 ?

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 29

Group Study

Personal Application

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 30

Church Discipline

______________________________________________________________

1 Corinthians 5 : 1 - 13

______________________________________________________________

Unpopular, antiquated and cultish are just some of the adjectives we might use to describe church discipline. But in this study we will see that God requires it to be carried out in his church so that holiness is held in high regard and because it is the loving approach towards another Christian who is entangled in sin. Gross public sin, the kind that we encounter in 1 Corinthians 5, does damage to the church’s gospel witness as it brings Jesus’ lordship over the church into question. Sin also harms our relationships with one another and is therefore unloving. Discipline does not seek to shame or slander but rather has at its centre the desire for repentance and unity.

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 31

1 Corinthians 5:1-13 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and

of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his 2 father's wife. And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have been filled

with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this? Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I

have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were 4 present. When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I 5 am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, hand

this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and 6 his spirit saved on the day of the Lord. Your boasting is not good.

Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of 7 dough? Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without

yeast--as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been 8 sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast,

the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the 9 bread of sincerity and truth. I have written you in my letter not to 10 associate with sexually immoral people-- not at all meaning the

people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or 11 idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I

am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are

13 you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. "Expel

the wicked man from among you."

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 32

Daily Reading

In Hebrews 12:7-11 (see Deuteronomy 8:5) we are told about the Lord’s discipline. What does discipline teach us about our status before God ( 12:7-8 ); what is its purpose and outcome ( 12:9-11 )?

Discipline in the local church shares God’s design for it (above), so read Matthew 18:15-17 and note that the desired outcome is repentance . How does Jesus’ detailed and measured guide prevent the abuse of discipline?

In 1 Corinthians 5:1-5 we read about gross immorality in a local church. What was the situation? What are the Christians told to do with this man ( 5:2, 5, 13 )? Why should churches take such a drastic approach towards gross public sin?

What is the hope for the immoral man in taking the above action ( 5:5 )? What does Paul fear that inaction will cause in the church ( 5:6-8 )?

Summarise God’s directives, vision and desired results for it, from the above questions. What might a lack of discipline reveal about a church? What about an excess of discipline? Should we be disciplining each other?

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 33

Group Study

Personal Application

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 34

The Mission of the Church

______________________________________________________________

Matthew 28 : 16 - 20

______________________________________________________________ A fitting conclusion to our study of the church is to ask what on earth God has

created it for. What is our purpose and our mission? How will we accomplish it? Can Christians, who seem so divided and different across the world, agree on what Jesus Christ wants from them? Surely if the church is a people united by faith in the gospel and governed by God through his living Word then we should all have a basic idea of where we are going. Ultimately we know that Christians will enjoy heaven and glory in the presence of God one day, but we need to know what God expects us to do with our days until then.

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 35

Matthew 28:16-20 16

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had

17 told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has

19 been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing 20 them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and

teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 36

Daily Reading

Colossians 1:28 is a passage we should return to often as Christians, because it captures the fundamental aim of Christian ministry, and therefore a fundamental purpose of the church. What are Paul’s two linked aims (see Colossians 1:3-6 as well)?

If the purpose of the church (above) is creating fruitful faith, through evangelism and edification, how do you need to change your understanding of the church and its mission? Is your vision for the church different to God’s?

Matthew 28:16-20 has been called Jesus’ “great commission”, when his first disciples were sent to preach the gospel, resulting in the church. How would Jesus’ mission be accomplished through the disciples? How is it different today?

What three things are Jesus’ disciples told to go and do ( Matthew 28:19-20 )? Do they fit with Paul’s two linked aims in Colossians 1 (above)? Would you say that your church prioritises these goals? What would you say to a church that does not?

If you were to draw up a mission statement for the church today, using what we have seen in the passages above, what would it be?

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 37

Group Study

Personal Application

D I S C O V E R T H E C H U R C H page 38

Discover

the Church