HOW TO GROW IN THE LORD STUDY GUIDE

LESSON 4   

Church Attendance

Memory Verse: (Heb 10:25 KJV) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

The single most important item in the life of a new Christian is church attendance. As you attend church  you will receive instructions and exhortations on how to live your life for God.  Your desire to mature in Christ will increase greatly  with church attendance and also decline with lack of attendance. You should make up your mind right now to be faithful to your local New Testament church. Attendance every service; Sunday School, Sunday Morning, Sunday Night and Wednesday night.

There are Sunday school classes for everyone in your family from the youngest to the oldest. The Bible is always the main textbook used. You will find that you will learn many Bible principles and concepts that will help you to mature in Christ so that you can find the joy and happiness the God extended for all of His children to have.

You will soon learn that you are to give God your whole Sunday. That is why we call it the "Lord's Day." God will always bless you if you put Him first. It is a wise Christian who will take advantage of every service the church has.

Memory Verse: (Heb 10:25 KJV) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

THE FOUNDER OF THE CHURCH

1.    (Acts 20:28 KJV) Tells us what price Jesus had to pay to purchase our salvation. "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood."

2.    (Ephesians 5:32) Tell us who is head of the church: " For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the Savior of the body."

3.     It was always God's plan to build His church through us who love Him and want Him:
(Eph 1:4 KJV) According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

4.    Christ is the only one who has the right to be the head of the church:
(Col 1:18 KJV) And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

5.   Christ established the church: (Mat 16:13 KJV) When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? (14) And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. (15) He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? (16) And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (17) And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. (18) And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND THE CHURCH SERVICES?

6.   (1 Pet 2:2 KJV) As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

7. (Jer 3:15 KJV) And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

8.    Another reason for church attendance is for FELLOWSHIP with other believers.
Acts 2:41-47 tells us some of the things the early church did together.
"(41) Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (42)  And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (43) And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. (44) And all that believed were together, and had all things common; (45) And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. (46) And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, (47) Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

9.    (1 Cor 1:10 KJV) Describes what God wants from every church "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment."

10.    The preaching and teaching of God's Word will help our faith and trust in God to grow.
(Rom 10:17 KJV) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

OUR PASTOR

11.    The word Pastor in the New Testament means "overseer." God has given us a Pastor to train and nurture us in the Lord.
(Acts 20:28 KJV) Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

12.    God gave several gifts to the church.
(Eph 4:8 KJV) "Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.(9) (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? (10) He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things. (11) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;"

13.    The Pastor's job in (Eph 4:12 KJV) "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying =( building up ) of the body of Christ:"

14.    Holy Ghost made the Pastor the overseer of the church
(Acts 20:28 KJV) Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

15.    A Pastor is to take the oversight of God's flock and lead the flock for God.
(1 Pet 5:2 KJV) Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; (3) Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

                  THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH

17.    There are three reasons for having a church:  (Mat 28:19 KJV) "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:(20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."


MY RESPONSIBILITY TO THE LOCAL CHURCH:

18.    It is our responsibility to attend all of the church services that we may honor & worship God.
(Heb 10:25 KJV) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

19.    We are to support the work of God with our time, talents, and our tithes & offerings:
(1 Cor 16:1 KJV) Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. (2) Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

20.    Some of the responsibilities the early church took upon itself:
(Acts 12:5 KJV) Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
(Acts 14:27 KJV) And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed =( or told everyone) all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
(Heb 2:12 KJV) Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
(Acts 17:11 KJV) These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
(Acts 8:4 KJV) Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

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