16. Why should I go to Church?

Key Verses / Passages

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. Hebrews 10:24-25

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Discussion

The question, ‘Why should I go to church?’ is often asked amongst believers. Many assume that, on the one hand, there are large benefits to gathering, but gathering on a Sunday isn’t specifically required for Christians in the Bible. So, let’s address both sides of the coin – the benefits of gathering and the importance of Sunday worship.

Benefits of gathering

We learnt through the last devotional the wonderful benefits of gathering as a body of Christ. These include:

·         Giving Exhortation: We are encouraged to encourage, prod, admonish, warn, and urge one another. Hebrews 10:25

·         Giving Consideration: When gathering we get to show care and a sense of personal consideration/appreciation for one another. Hebrews 10:24

·         Giving Provocation: We stir each other up to love and do good works for God.   Hebrew 10:24

·         Giving Strength: When gathering we gain strength from each other and from God in our weakest places.   Psalm 96:6 Isaiah 40:28-31   Acts 18:23

·         We get belonging in a “body”: We can find our place of strength and gifting to serve God together.   1 Corinthians 12:12-31

·         Jesus can express himself through you: Jesus works and sings “through” us as we gather and worship.   Hebrews 2:12

·         We get to be a channel of supply: In our abundance, we supply one’s lack while another supplies our lack.   2 Corinthians 8:14-15

·         We get to share all things in unity: Early Christians gathered in unity and shared all that they had.   Acts 4:32.

• Shared sacrificially   2 Corinthians 8:2-4

• And hospitably   3 John 5

Importance of congregational worship

The importance of congregational, or corporate, worship with other believers is potent for our faith because it gives a glimpse of what Heaven will be like. Revelation 22:3 describes a prophetic picture of Heaven where all believers worship the throne of God together.  The writer of Hebrews (10:24-25) instructs believers to “not to give up meeting together… but encourage one another”.  When you gather with other believers you can experience the joy that is found in encouraging one another, spurring each other to love and good deeds.

So, what are you waiting for? Go and involve yourself in a Church family to experience the wonderful taste of what eternity will be like!

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Reflection / Questions

•       Do you worship God with other believers and on your own? What does this look like?

•       Why is it important to gather with other believers?

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Prayer

Dear God, thank you for your Church. I thank you for the privilege of being able to gather with like-minded believers who can help me know you more. Please guide me to a Church family that can help me be equipped to follow you well.