Session 13 - The Importance of attending Church

Video

Do you see yourself reflected in any of these characters? Have you met anyone who demonstrates these traits?

Mr Smug	Mr Smug "I can do Christianity without the Church."	Believes he knows better than the church. Is happy to complain about the Church and its failures. Doesn't attend a Church.
Mr Zealous	“It’s all about the lost. Church is a place to be when I have the time.”	Constantly busy with “Christian” pursuits. Attends random Churches haphazardly. Preoccupied with reaching unbelievers.
Mr Justice	“It’s ok for some – religious amusement for the masses – just not for me.”	Thinks that Church is fore a “type” of person. On which he is an expert. Consumes his “Church intake” recreationally.
Mrs Moody	“The Church is all about the minister… and whether or not we’re on the same page.”	Is preoccupied with the minister and leadership with the church. Regular and faithful attendee of a single church.

What do each of these scriptures instruct us to do, and how is the church well suited to do it?

Colossians 3:16, 1 Timothy 4:13
Ephesians 5:19, Proverbs 25:20
Philippians 4:6, 1 Timothy 2:8
Acts 6:2, 15:5, 1 Thessalonians 2:13
Hebrews 13:7
Luke 22:14-23(19), 1 Cor 11:23-34 (24)
1 Corinthians 16:1-4, 1 Timothy 6:17-18, Romans 15:22-33 (24-28), Acts 5:1-11
John 4:24

Where would you put yourself on the two-sided coin of the Regulative Principle (We should only worship in ways the Bible/God says are Good) vs the Normative principle (We can worship in any way that the Bbile hasn’t forbidden)?
How can you see this divide played out in Churches you’ve attended?
What kind of picture does Psalm 45:10-17 paint of the Church? How important does this psalm make the church appear?
What do you think of Gaius’ challenge to make locating a good church the priority in moving location? Will you take up this challenge?