1.  WHAT IS CHURCH?
a. Quickly, write down the first five things that you think of when you hear the word “church”.

b. The New Testament uses the word “church” in two ways:  to refer to a local group of baptized believers and to refer to all baptized believers in the world.  But the New Testament never uses "church” to refer to a building.  Why?

1. The first Christians were Jewish, they went to the synagogue on the Sabbath (Sat.) and then meet together in a home on Sunday.

2. After the time came when Jews and Christians separated, the Christians continued to meet in homes on Sunday.

2. THE CALLED OUT ONES.
a. The Greek word for church (ekklesia) means “the called out ones”.

b. Who called us out?  Ephesians 4:1

c. What were we called out from?  1 Peter 2:9-10

d. With whom should we fellowship?  Ephesians 5:8,  1 John 1:7

3. THE BODY OF CHRIST

a. Who makes up the body of Christ?  1 Corinthian 12:12-13

b. Which part of the body is more important?  1 Corinthians 12:14-26

c. What is the purpose of each different part?  Ephesians 4:12

d. Who is the head of the body?  Ephesians 4:15-16

4.  THE FAMILY OF GOD
What obligation do we have to our brothers and sisters in Christ?
a. Galatians 6:10

b. Romans 12:10

c. Ephesians 4:32

d. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

5.  THE BRIDE OF CHRIST
Revelation 19:7 speaks of the church as the bride of Christ.  All four of these pictures of the church focus on relationship rather than a building, or a certain style of worship, or a certain denomination.

6. WHAT IS THE CHURCH SUPPOSE TO DO?
Churches do many things.  No local church does all things well.  One may focus on feeding the hungry, another on helping the sick, another on Bible teaching.  There are three things Jesus told the church to do:
1. Luke 22:19-20

2. Matthew 28:19

3. Matthew 28:19

SUGGESTED READING:  Hebrews 10:23-25