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Why I Need to Go to Church

Gathering with fellow Christians is essential to my faith

Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. LUKE 11:23 ESV

Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. JOHN 21:16 NLT

On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. ACTS 2:1 NLT

On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, … ACTS 20:7 ESV

The churches here in the province of Asia send greetings in the Lord, as do Aquila and Priscilla and all the others who gather in their home for church meetings. 1 CORINTHIANS 16:19 NLT

My faith should be personal, but my faith cannot be isolated

So, my dear brothers and sisters, when you gather for the Lord’s Supper, wait for each other. 1 CORINTHIANS 11:33 NLT

Gathering with other Christians encourages my faith

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. HEBREWS 10:23-25 NIV

Gathering with other Christians empowers my faith

Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” MATTHEW 18:18-20 ESV

Gathering with believers is the future of my faith

And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. MARK 13:27 ESV

Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, … 2 THESSALONIANS 2:1 ESV

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. The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” 1 CORINTHIANS 12:18-21 NLT

In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. 1 CORINTHIANS 12:22 NLT

All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: 1 CORINTHIANS 12:27-28 NLT

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Allow yourself to slow down; take a few deep breaths, offering to Jesus any burdens from your day. Next, invite God into this time, asking Him to help you be real with yourself and Him as you reflect. When you consider your own value in God’s kingdom, what thoughts come to mind? Do you notice that your thoughts puff you up too much, or bring you down too low? Bring these thoughts before God, and ask Him to reveal His thoughts as they relate to your value in His eyes. What does He say about your role in helping spur His people toward love and good deeds? Ask God to empower you as you step into what He has called you to, and confess any fears or anxieties that may come up as you consider the magnitude of this. Finally, thank God for putting other believers in your path who have helped encourage you. Close your time by asking God for opportunities to encourage others in their faith, thanking God for His faithfulness toward you. Write your reflections in the space below, sharing with your group if you feel comfortable.

Discussion Questions

  1. What barriers get in the way of people going to church consistently?
  2. Think back on your first visit to church (or this group); what prompted you to come, and what was that experience like for you?
  3. What happens to your relationships with God and others when you don’t consistently attend Church?
  4. Read Hebrews 10:23–25 (NIV). How have you experienced that gathering with other believers spurs you on toward love and good deeds?
  5. What would you say to help encourage a friend or family member to come with you to church?
  6. NEXT STEPS: Read 1 Corinthians 12:18–22 (NLT). To what extent do you believe that you are a valuable and needed part of the church? Where do you sense God might be calling you to be more involved?