Being the Church

If you're like most people, you have serious questions about the church. Even "seasoned" believers sometimes wonder what the church is all about, and how they are supposed to interact with it. What does Jesus say about it? Do I have to do more than just go? What is God's vision for how people get along? In this 12-session course, learn God's heart for you and the church with illustrations from trusted leaders like Rick Warren, G.K. Chesterton, and Philip Yancey.

Session One

5 Principles of a Purpose-Driven Church
Rick Warren's genius is in helping pastors see the obvious.
Mark 12:28-34; Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 2:42-47

Session Two

The Church's Highest Calling: Faithfulness
When being countercultural is our goal, we may be nearer to colluding with culture than changing it.
Matthew 28:18–20; Luke 10:30–37; John 14:15; 15:18–19; 2 Corinthians 9:12–13; 2 John 1:5–6

Session Three

Authentic Fellowship
How is the church called to be different from the local social club?
Acts 2:41–47; 2 Corinthians 5:16–21; Galatians 6:2; Ephesians 2:11–22; Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 3:16

Session Four

Pulling Weeds in the Church Yard
Is the church honestly a "counterculture for the common good"?
Psalm 51; Matthew 5:21–22, 38–48; 23:25–28; Luke 9:57–62; Acts 2:42–47

Session Five

Church Unity Myths
We should question some refrains of unity in diversity.
Acts 1:14; 2:1; 2:46; 4:24; 5:12; 7:56; 8;6; 12:20; 15:25; 18:12; 19:29

Session Six

Why God Gave You Gifts
There is an obligation and pleasure of putting your talents to work.
Romans 12:3–8; 1 Corinthians 12–14; Ephesians 4:11–16; 1 Peter 4:10–11

Session Seven

Loving the Imperfect Church
Why should we bother with this flawed body of believers?
1 Corinthians

Session Eight

When It's Hard to Love
Does it ever get easier to love cruel or obnoxious people?
John 1:10, 8:44; Romans 3:19, 21–26, 7:21–25; 1 Corinthians 3:19, 13:4–8; 2 Corinthians 11:3–15; Galatians 5:16–26; Revelation 12:13–17

Session Nine

Wounded by the Church
How should we treat those who have been deeply hurt by the church?
Revelation 2–3; Colossians 3:12–17; Psalm 103:1–8

Session Ten

Surviving a Grace-Deprived Church
G. K. Chesterton propounded the Christian faith with great wit—and sheer intellectual force.
Psalm 34:8-10; James 1:16-17; Matthew 7:9-11

Session Eleven

Who Are We to Judge?
Did Jesus forbid us from judging others?
Matthew 7:1-5; Luke 6:36-45; Romans 14:9-13; 1 Corinthians 5:12-13; James 4:11 and 2:12-13

Session Twelve

Being Transparent About Our Trials
How would it affect our spiritual life, the body of Christ, and our evangelical impact if Christians were honest, transparent, and authentic about their trials?
Psalm 46; Romans 7:15–25; 2 Corinthians 1:3–11,12:7–10; 1 Peter 4:1–19

Total number of pages - 145 pages