Discussions from "I am Church" series

We kicked off a new series at The Bridge last week. Our primary focus was on 1 Peter 2:1-12. Below is the beginning of a discussion we are having between now and November 2. Please feel free to join in. These questions are developed as a guide for our cell families to use with last week's sermon and notes. If you missed the teaching, you can pick up a DVD. If you are not in a cell, please consider joining one today.

Starter questions:

What was your first experience with “church” like?

What comes to mind when you hear the word “church?”

What do you think Jesus intended His church to be?

Popular misconceptions:

• Church = services

• Church = clergy

• Church = a particular denomination

• Church = a building/place I go to

What does the Bible say about church?

Background:

In the New Testament, the word church is the Greek word ekklesia, which means assembly. The word ekklesia was primarily used to describe the followers of Jesus, however at times it was used for a nonreligious gathering (cf. Acts 19:32, Acts 19:41).

In a primary gathering aspect however, ekklesia is most used to describe groups of followers of Jesus as they met in homes (Romans 16:5, 1 Cor. 16:19). The church “gathered” on mission (Acts 14:27), but never do we see that people met at church.

The following discussion really centers around, "Is church a building or a people?"

Scriptures to Study:

Ephesians 1:22-23

Ephesians 2:19-22

1 Peter 2:4-12

Question 1: If the church is a place, how can it fill everything thing and be everywhere? (Ephesians passages)

Question 2: What does 1 Peter 2:5 and Ephesians 2:22 tell about what God’s house/temple actually is?

Question 3: Who does 1 Peter 2:5 say God’s priests are?

Dialog: Is church a place for people, or is church the people of God all over the place? Is it theologically correct to say that you are going to church? Why or why not?

Question 4: What is the difference between going to church, and being the church? 1 Peter 2:9-12

I go to church vs.	I am the church
Services/Church is seen as a dispenser of religious goods and services. People come to a building to be fed, to have their needs met through quality programs, and to have the professionals teach their children about God.	Church is seen as a body of people sent on a mission who gather in community for worship, encouragement, and teaching from the Word that supplements what they are feeding themselves throughout the week. This gathering (ekklesia) equips the people of God to be the church and shine the marvelous light (Christ in You) in culture.

Question 5: What are the implications of being the church rather than going to church? 1 Peter 2:12

Question 6: Where does Acts 1:8 tell spirit-filled followers to be God’s witnesses?

Question 7: Sunday, Nov. 2^nd we are concluding this series with a sermon called “We are Church.” We are challenging the people of God to “leave the building” and to be the church in our community in the surrounding days. What ideas do you have for your cell family to be able to do this? What ideas can you share for The Bridge Community as a whole to consider?

P.S. Yes, we still have celebration services at 9:00 and 10:45 at E-Hall. These teachings/discussions are challenging our people to "leave the building" and to be the church in their world beyond walls.