Engaging in Community: The Power of Church Attendance
Summary
In our current series, "The Work to Flourish," we explore the spiritual disciplines that create opportunities for God to work in our lives. These practices, known as means of grace, allow us to partner with God and the Holy Spirit, increasing our receptivity to His presence and grace. Today, we focus on the discipline of regular church attendance, which is far more than a mere routine; it is an intentional act of worship and community.
Reflecting on the modern movie theater experience, we can draw parallels to how some approach church attendance. Just as we critique a film's worth, we may leave church asking about the quality of worship or the sermon. However, this consumer mindset misses the true essence of church. It is not about our individual satisfaction but about our collective offering to God. We must shift from spectators to participants, engaging fully in worship and listening for the Holy Spirit's voice.
The church is not confined by four walls any more than our lives are confined by the homes we live in. It is a living, breathing community where we encounter God and His people. As we grow in love for Jesus, our desire to be part of a local congregation and the body of Christ intensifies. We see God in others, witness the fruit of the Spirit, and are inspired by the faithfulness of fellow believers.
Hebrews 10:19-25 reminds us that we are a new creation, redeemed by the blood of Christ, and called to hold unswervingly to the hope we profess. The passage urges us not to give up meeting together but to encourage one another, especially as we anticipate the return of Christ. Our gatherings are characterized by togetherness, where we spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
Our faith journey is not linear but cyclical, with the church at the beginning, middle, and end. It feeds into and grows out of all other facets of our faith. We are sent out to grow in smaller groups, serve and share the gospel, and then return to the larger community, enriched by our experiences and ready to encourage others.
In summary, church attendance is a vital discipline that fosters spiritual growth and community. It is an act of worship, a commitment to fellowship, and a means to encourage and be encouraged. As we gather, we must ask ourselves if we are truly present, seeking to connect with others, and contributing to the body of Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- Church is not a passive experience but an active engagement with God and His people. We must approach each service with the intention to worship genuinely, listen attentively, and participate fully in the life of the community. This mindset transforms our questions from self-centered critiques to reflections on how we can please God and serve others. [49:33]
- Our love for Jesus is intrinsically linked to our love for His church. As we deepen our relationship with Christ, our desire to connect with other believers and be part of a local body grows. This love compels us to see the divine in each other and to cherish the spiritual growth we witness in the community. [53:10]
- The concept of togetherness in Hebrews 10:19-25 emphasizes the importance of not only gathering but also encouraging one another. Our meetings should be opportunities to inspire love, good deeds, and hope, especially as we look forward to Christ's return. [58:24]
- Our faith is not a solitary journey but a communal one. The church is a cycle that continually nourishes and is nourished by our individual and collective experiences. It is where we are equipped for mission and where we bring back our stories to encourage and be encouraged. [01:03:03]
- Intentionality in church attendance means seeking connections and opportunities to minister to others. We must be sensitive to those God places around us, ready to offer hope, encouragement, and love. This approach transforms our church experience into a dynamic interchange of faith and service. [01:06:09]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 10:19-25: "Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 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, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Hebrews 10:19-25 say about our access to God and the role of Jesus in that access?
2. According to the sermon, how does the modern movie theater experience compare to how some people approach church attendance? ([42:45])
3. What are some of the roles mentioned in the sermon that contribute to the worship experience in the church? ([48:11])
4. How does the sermon describe the cyclical nature of our faith journey in relation to the church? ([01:03:03])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to "hold unswervingly to the hope we profess" as mentioned in Hebrews 10:23, and how does this relate to our church gatherings?
2. How does the sermon suggest we shift our mindset from being spectators to participants in church? ([44:13])
3. In what ways does the sermon highlight the importance of community and togetherness in our faith journey? ([58:24])
4. How does the concept of being a "royal priesthood" influence our understanding of worship and service in the church? ([47:15])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own church attendance. Do you approach it more as a spectator or a participant? What changes can you make to engage more fully in worship and community? ([44:13])
2. How can you intentionally seek to connect with others during church services? Are there specific people you feel led to encourage or support? ([01:00:44])
3. Think about the last time you left a church service. What were your thoughts and discussions about? How can you shift your focus to what God is doing in the service rather than personal preferences? ([42:45])
4. How does your love for Jesus influence your desire to be part of a local congregation? What steps can you take to deepen your relationships within the church? ([53:10])
5. Hebrews 10:24 encourages us to "spur one another on toward love and good deeds." What practical ways can you inspire and support others in your church community this week?
6. The sermon mentions the importance of being sensitive to the Holy Spirit's voice during the message. How can you cultivate a more attentive and responsive heart during sermons? ([45:02])
7. Consider the cyclical nature of our faith journey as described in the sermon. How can you bring back your experiences from smaller groups or personal ministry to enrich the larger church community? ([01:03:03])
Devotional
Day 1: Active Engagement in Worship
Engaging with God and His people requires a shift from passive observation to active participation. When attending church services, one should come prepared to not only receive but also to give. This means singing with conviction, praying with sincerity, and listening to the message with a heart ready to respond. It's about moving beyond the consumer mindset to one of a contributor, where the focus is on pleasing God and serving others rather than evaluating the experience based on personal satisfaction. This transformation in approach can lead to a deeper connection with the divine and a more fulfilling worship experience.
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." - Colossians 3:16
Reflection: How can you prepare your heart before attending the next church service to ensure you are actively engaging rather than passively observing? [07:40]
Day 2: Deepening Love Through Community
As one's love for Jesus grows, so does the desire to be in fellowship with His church. The local congregation becomes a place where divine encounters are not just possible but expected. Believers are called to see Christ in one another, to celebrate the spiritual growth within the community, and to contribute to it. This deepening love is a powerful force that compels individuals to invest in relationships within the church, to cherish the moments of shared faith, and to support one another in the journey of spiritual development.
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:24-25
Reflection: In what ways can you actively contribute to the spiritual growth of someone in your church community this week? [53:10]
Day 3: Encouragement and Togetherness
The call to not give up meeting together is about more than just attendance; it's about mutual encouragement and fostering a spirit of unity. When believers gather, it should be with the intention of inspiring and spurring one another on toward love and good deeds. This sense of togetherness is crucial, especially as the community anticipates the return of Christ. Each gathering is an opportunity to strengthen the bonds of fellowship and to build up the hope that is shared among the faithful.
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:24-25
Reflection: What specific action can you take to encourage a fellow church member this week, and how will you follow through with it? [58:24]
Day 4: The Cyclical Nature of Faith
The journey of faith is not a solitary endeavor but a communal one, with the church playing a central role. It is a cycle of being equipped and then sent out, of growing individually and within smaller groups, and then returning to the larger community to share experiences and encourage others. This cyclical nature ensures that the church remains a vibrant and nourishing environment for all who are part of it, continually refreshed by the diverse experiences of its members.
"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17
Reflection: Reflect on a recent experience where you grew in your faith outside of church. How can you bring that growth back to your church community to encourage others? [01:03:03]
Day 5: Intentionality in Fellowship
Attending church with intentionality means looking for connections and opportunities to minister to others. It's about being present, not just physically, but with an open heart ready to offer hope, encouragement, and love. This approach transforms the church experience into a dynamic interchange of faith and service, where every interaction has the potential to impact someone's journey with Christ.
"Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." - 1 John 3:18
Reflection: Who in your church community might need a word of encouragement or a helping hand this week, and how can you be intentional about providing it? [01:06:09]
Quotes
"The more I love Jesus, the more I love His people. The more I want to be a part of a local congregation and tangibly connected to the body of Christ." [52:29] (Download | )
"We often come to church as individuals, not asking who is around us and if God is leading us to have conversations. Who sat around me and was that for a reason?" [59:57] (Download | )
"Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and Good Deeds, not giving up meeting together, but encouraging one another." [58:24] (Download | )
"As we gather together every Sunday, this time is different. Our primary characteristic is togetherness, thinking of who is around us and if God is leading us to connect." [59:12] (Download | )
"We are a royal priesthood offering our bodies as a Living Sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. We together as a worshiping community bring something before the Lord." [48:11] (Download | )
"When we understand church appropriately, we start to ask different questions after the service. Did I come looking for people God is asking me to connect with?" [01:05:21] (Download | )
"Meeting together is how we spur one another on in love and Good Deeds. It's this idea that as I gather, I'm also being sent and equipped to love God more." [01:01:31] (Download | )
"Did I worship the way God would have wanted me to? Was I fully engaged in worship and was My Worship pleasing to God?" [45:02] (Download | )
"Church is not the beginning nor the end but the beginning, the middle, and the end. It feeds into and grows out of all other facets of my faith." [01:04:34] (Download | )
"Did I find opportunity to inspire to Spur one another on in love and good deeds, to encourage one another in the faith, to hold on to hope?" [01:06:09] (Download | )
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