How the Church Works

Connection Group Questions
November 7, 2010

Announcements:
Connections Ministry Centre Open House Prayer! 
Monday November 15 @ 7:30pm, 1895 Blue Heron Drive.

Help Wanted:
Outreach Coordinator.  Help us plan monthly community service and outreach events, such as serving at the Ark Aid.
Sound Board Operator.  If you’re willing, we can train you!
Family Ministry- Lead Teacher and Helper positions.  Training date November 7.
First Impressions Ministry.  Greeters, Ushers, Cafe, Information Centre positions.

Opening
What images, ideas, or memories come to mind when you think about “the church?”

Discuss the definition used for the church: “The people called by God the Father; who gather together as one, holy, catholic and apostolic body under the Lordship of Jesus Christ to be built up and equipped; so they may be sent out in the power of the Holy Spirit, in obedience to the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20), to fulfill the Great Commandment (Matt. 22:37-39).

Learn It
The word “church” comes from “ecclesia” which derives from two words, “to be called out” and “to assemble.”   Compare that with some of these bible terms: the body of Christ, the people of God, the family of God, the Elect in Christ, the bride of Christ, the gathering of the redeemed, the communion of saints, the New Israel and the People of the New Covenant. 

• Which one(s) best expresses how you normally think of the church?  How can your understand of the church grow through these other titles?

Read Ephesians 2:18-22

• Where do you see the trinity in this passage?  What does this tell us about the world?  About our present condition?  About things to come? 
• How can we be better built together as a Group, and as a church?

Read each passage and discuss the three “movements” of church:

• Calling (Acts 2:37-41)
• Gathering (Acts 2:42-46)
•     “one, holy, catholic and apostolic church”
• Sending (Acts 2:47ff)

Live It
“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”  1 Corinthians 12:27

• What part of the body can you play, and how can your part build up the whole church?  (Think about your gifts, the gifts of the Spirit, leadership in the church, etc)

End with a prayer committing ourselves to the calling, gathering and sending necessary for the church to truly work.

E 100 Challenge Readings, November 7-13
Day 46: Isaiah 51-53
Day 47: Jeremiah 1-3
Day 48: Daniel 6
Day 49: Jonah 1-4
Day 50: Malachi 1-4 (You’re half way done!)
Day 51: John 1
Day 52: Luke 1