Journey Through The Word                                     Pr. Carlson  12/2009

Lesson Thirteen:  How is the Church unique?

 What is the difference between Ruthfred and the Rotary?

General Session:

The Church:       

I.                    Introduction:

a.      DVD clip – “What is the Church?”

b.      C.S. Lewis quote

c.       The Church differs from a mere social organization, in that she is not merely a group of nice people trying to make the world a better place; but rather, the Church is an interconnected body of believers who are indwelt by God Himself.  These believers have been so transformed, that they are motivated by sacrificial love and divine vision to serve and labor toward the transformation of this world.  This labor is done knowing that Christ has gone before us and laid down His life and won the victory and will reign as King of Kings!

II.                   Our Identity as the Church:

a.      Connection with God.

                                                              i.      Col. 1:27

                                                            ii.      Jn. 15:5

                                                          iii.      Jn. 14:16-20

                                                           iv.      I Cor. 3:16,17

                                                             v.      Eph. 5:31,32

                                                           vi.      II Cor. 5:17

                                                         vii.      Gal. 2:20

b.      Community with each other.

*The Church is made up of individuals, but individually we are not the Church!

            i.   Jn. 17:20-23

            ii.  Eph. 1:9,10

            iii.  Eph. 2:19-22

            iv.  Eph. 3:6

            v. Eph. 4:3-5

            vi.  Eph. 5:21  

            vii.  Rom. 12:4,5

            viii. I Cor. 10:17

            ix.  I Cor. 12:27

            x.  Gal. 3:28,29

            xi.  Jn. 13:34,35

                  xii.  Heb. 10:25

III.                Characteristics of the Church:

a.      The Heart of the Church (Acts 2:42ff)

                                                              i.      Word

                                                            ii.      Prayer

                                                          iii.      Sacraments

                                                           iv.      Fellowship

                                                             v.      Sharing (all things in common)

b.      DVD clips

                                                              i.      Foo; the dance; the Romans; etc.

                                                            ii.      Who are the needy?

                                                          iii.      Who is God?

c.       The Heart of God

                                                              i.      Ps. 12:5

                                                            ii.      Ps. 35:10

                                                          iii.      Ps. 72:4

                                                           iv.      Jonah 4:9-11

                                                             v.      I Sam. 2:8

                                                           vi.      Job 5:15

                                                         vii.      Ps. 138:6

                                                       viii.      I Pet. 5:5,6

                                                           ix.      Mt. 11:28,29

                                                             x.      Lk. 1:51-53

                                                           xi.      Jn. 13/14:1-7

                                                         xii.      Is. 65:1,2

                                                       xiii.      Mt. 23:37

                                                       xiv.      Is. 58:6,7,10

                                                         xv.      Prov. 14:21

                                                       xvi.      Gal. 5:13,14

                                                     xvii.      Jas. 2:8

 *The convictions of the Church stem from the character of God.

IV.               Compelling Convictions:   The Motivation of the Church!

a.      C.S. Lewis  --  “No man is a mere mortal.”

b.      Francis Shafer – “Love is the Mark of the Christian.”

c.       The greatest commandments – Matthew 22:34-40

d.      Who is my neighbor?  How am I to be a neighbor?  -- Luke 10:25-29

V.                 Concluding Consequences:   The Mission of the Church!

a.      The Transformation of Culture

b.      DVD clip – William Wilberforce; Christians in Antioch

c.       If we are the Body . . .

d.      God is involved in His world!  Are you? 

Journey Through The Word                                     Pr. Carlson  12/2009

Lesson Thirteen:  How is the Church unique?

 What is the difference between Ruthfred and the Rotary?

Group Session Discussion:

I.                    How do people you know view/define the Church?

II.                  How do you view the Church?

III.                How important is being a part of the Church to you?

IV.                What are some of the things you value most at Ruthfred Church?  What attracted you here?  What keeps you here?

V.                  How is the Church different from a mere “social/service club?”

VI.                Contemplate for a moment, the reality of God dwelling within us!  How deeply do we believe this to be real?  Does our thinking reflect this profound reality?  Do you think more of God being “external” or “internal?”  How might this shape how we view and live life?

VII.              Review the Scripture passages above regarding God’s heart for the needy and the humble/lowly.  Which one most catches your attention and why?

VIII.            Review the story of the Good Samaritan  (Luke 10:25-29)

IX.                Why do we struggle to recognize God’s divine image in humanity and instead see merely mortals?

X.                  Who is your neighbor?

XI.                How can you be a “good neighbor?

XII.              How was Christ a “neighbor” to you?

XIII.            What do the above Scriptures reveal about God’s heart for the needy?

XIV.            Who are the present day “needy” in society for whom the voice of the Church needs to clearly speak up?

XV.              How can the Church/you make sure to not only speak truth, but to demonstrate great love at the same time?