The Backdrop
Do we need church?
We can get sermons online. We can get worship songs from iTunes. We can meet a Bible study group at Starbucks. That’s three big staples of church: community, teaching and worship. We can have them when we want them, where we want them, with whom we want them. Why go to a building at a set time with people you may or may not know?
The What
It’s a legitimate question, but before you answer that, check out a couple of Bible passages. As you read these, write down anything you learn about the church.
“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood” (
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.” (
The So What
Think for a moment about what these verses are saying: When you gather with a church, you are part of a gathering made possible through a costly sacrifice: Jesus’ blood. You also are gathering with people who are in a special position to give God glory—glory that He can receive from no other source.
Church is more than the three staples of worship, teaching and community mentioned earlier. It is all those things, but it’s all those things plus! When you gather with God’s people, you are saying (as noted in Acts 20 and Ephesians 3):
• I want to be a part of the group Jesus bought with His own blood.
• I want to be a part of something that belongs to God.
• I want to put myself under the authority of church leaders (overseers) who are called to watch over the flock.
• I want to give glory to God in a way that can be given only through the church.
Seal the Deal
Back to the opening question: Do you need church? Take a couple minutes to answer that question for yourself. Incorporating the Scriptures you just experienced, write a few bullet-point thoughts that complete the sentence below. After you jot downa couple things, you’ll soon discover how much you not only need church, but want church.
I need church because…
