Involvement In The Church

Bible Devotion Fairy, Inc. http://bibledevotionfairy.blogspot.com/

H.A.B.I.T.S. Plumbline Devotional Involvement in the Church

“I suppose a fellow can worship on the golf course - but it's almost as unhandy as playing golf in church.” Unknown

“I suppose a fellow can worship on the golf course - but it's almost as unhandy as playing golf in church.” Unknown

Jan. 29 — Feb. 3, 2009

Page 2

Involvement in the Church

Purpose of the church If we’re going to talk about being involved in the church we need to start with the why of the church. What was the original purpose of the church and how can we find a church that is trying to live up to that today. Take a little time and brainstorm about your church. What kind of people are welcome there?

What happens at your church besides Sunday services?

Page 15 I Corinthains 12:20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22. On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23. and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24. while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25. so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30. Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues ? Do all interpret?

Hebrews 10:23. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

What makes your church different from the one down the street?

Who do you know who would never come to your church...and why?

January January 1,29, 2009 2009

Dictionary

Page 14

Page 3

Scripture References Acts 2:41 So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added. 42 They were devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Reverential awe came over everyone, and many wonders and miraculous signs came about by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and held everything in common, 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and distributing the proceeds to everyone, as anyone had need. 46 Every day they continued to gather together by common consent in the temple courts, breaking bread from house to house, sharing their food with glad and humble hearts, 47 praising God and having the good will of all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number every day those who were being saved. I Corinthians 12:8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9. to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10. to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. I Corinthians 12: 12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body-whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18. But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19. If they were all one part, where would the body be?

Scripture References

Read Acts 2:41-47 (See Page 14) What did the people in the church do?

What was the result?

What do you think is the purpose of the church today?

Take some time to pray for your church. Your pastors and leaders need all the spiritual back-up they can get.

“I still say a church steeple with a lightning rod on top shows a lack of confidence.” Doug McLeod

Page 4

Invent One: If you believe you have “Particular set of skills” (to quote Liam Niesian in Taken) that could be used in a manner that your church isn’t doing now, then invent a way.

Involvement in the Church

The Universal Church vs. the Local Church I was reading a blog by a friend of mine last week and she said that she is a “people person doing a hermit job.” Meaning that she loves to be around people but, as a writer, she spends most of her time by herself working. I, however, am very content to stay holed up in the hollow log for days upon end. People just get in the way of what I want to get done today. However, I miss out on things God might have for me by not allowing pesky people to interrupt my day. No matter if you are a hermit or a people person, we are commanded to be a part of the church. In two different forms. The Universal Church and the local church. Have you heard these terms? Let me give you some definitions and then we’ll get into why we should care. According to http://www.gotquestions.org/universal-local-church.html “The local church is a group of believers in Jesus Christ who meet in some particular location on a regular basis. The universal church is made up of all believers in Jesus Christ worldwide.” Now you will sometimes hear people say things like: “I’m a believer, I don’t need to be involved in a local body” or “I worship in nature, I don’t need to get up early on Sunday to do that.” Things like that. What does God say? First, we are all one. Read John 3:16 Who did God love? Who does that exclude?

January 30, 2009

Page 13

Like, say, you’re a writer who has a heart for youth, but not the ability to be present at events. Write devotions and then start a blog...just an example I pulled out of the air. :). You want to write? Start a newsletter for your youth group. Want to be in video production? Volunteer to create video announcements for your weekly meetings. Want to dance? Grab some friends and put together a “Human Video” for a Wednesday night. Have telephone skills? Volunteer to call school friends and invite them to an event. Have a great David Letterman impression? Coordinate a youth event centered around a Late Show theme and host it.

Brain storm some ideas here. Now evaluate them and take the best one to Alan. And get to work!!

Page 12

Page 5

Read I Corinthians 12:13 What kind of Spirit does God give to the Jew as opposed to the Greek?

Involvement in the Church List of Ministries you can get involved in your average church:

Right. We are all the same. We have been given the same Holy Spirit of God no matter out station, skills or school. Next time you get frustrated with someone picture him as a dwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Music: Vocalist, musician, tech team, Children: Sunday School, Children’s church, Kid’s clubs, Nursery Service: Help with any service project—food distribution, card ministry. This is a great “invent your own” category. If you see a need, strive to fill it. Maybe a couple could use a free babysitter or a family could use help hauling shingles or a first grader might need help getting home from the bus stop. Put together your skills and create a use for them.

Hebrews 10:23-25 What are we not to give up doing?

Why?

Janitorial: Help clean the church or homes of members who can’t do the tasks anymore. Office: Help make copies, input computer information, fold bulletins. Art: Help design and create new hangings for the sanctuary. Write a poem or learn a skit.

Why do you think some people are giving up this practice, even today?

Manual Labor: Make yourself available to help rearrange the furniture, harvest tree sap, stack chairs or haul boxes. Construction: Volunteer to help drywall, paint or shingle the roof of a needy member of the congregation.

Take some time and pray about your commitment to God and His plans for your involvement in His Church and His church.

Reading: Read material onto a tape for a person who doesn’t see very well. Or read a scripture on Sunday morning.

The church is not here to meet our needs. We are the church “I suppose fellow can worship here to meet the needs ofathe world. -Erwin McManus on

Page 6

3. Service projects look great on a college/job/ scholarship application.

Involvement in the Church

How to Choose a Church Name a denomination and I’ve probably had some association with it. Between colleges, camps, schools and friends I’ve been a part of every service from speaking-in-tongues charismatic to on-your-knees Catholic. The beauty of such experiences is having a variety of worship experiences to draw from. Soon the day will come when you will be in a position to choose which church you will attend. Here’s a few questions taken from: http:// christianity.about.com/to point you in the right direction. Take some time to prayerfully consider these questions and why each answer matters to you.

2. Great way to meet girls: Even though most of them are the same age as your grandma, they are still great girls and can help you figure out what you want in a future mate.

1. One Word: Potluck

But seriously folks… We are commanded to be an active part of the body of Christ. What are some other advantages you can think of?

1. What denomination am I looking for?

2. What are my beliefs?

3. What type of worship best suits me?

4. What types of ministries and programs are offered?

February 2, 2009

Page 11

I suppose a fellow can worship on the golf course - but it's almost as suppose a fellow can worship on unhandy“I as playing golf in church.—Unknown

Page 10

Page 7

5. Do I prefer a small or a large church?

Involvement in the Church

6. What type of attire would I be most comfortable wearing to church?

Top 25 Accounta bili ty Ques tio ns

Top ten reasons to get involved in church

Then, when you finally get ready to try a new church: 1. Call before visiting.

10. Once you graduate high school, it’s the last place you can go for free learning...and about the most important thing in life. 2. Visit church Web sites.

9. The one place where you can choose which members of the family to associate with (the family of God, that is.)

8. One place you can go where people are commanded to love you.

7. You can’t out-give God

3. Make a checklist of the things from above to help you track.

4. After visiting at least 3 times, ask yourself these questions: Was the church a place I can connect with God and worship him freely? Did I learn about the Bible? Was it a place where fellowship and community are encouraged? Are people's lives being changed? Is there a place for me to serve in the church and opportunities to pray with other believers? Does the church reach out through missions (sending missionaries and financial giving) and local outreach?

6. There is no experience like riding on a church bus...Where did the squirrel go?

5. You can play with kids of your same mental age and get credit for it.

4. Sometimes you can learn real-life skills. February 4, 2009

I would love, at this time, to take you all on a field trip for a couple of Sundays and try out some other churches around town and discuss what each of us liked/disliked about them. Maybe you can take that challenge on yourself. Having the church full of members is like the wood-box full of sticks - it's a handy place to have them but they don't do any good till they catch fire. -Unknown

“I suppose a fellow can worship on

Page 8

Page 9

When trying to figure out your place in the church you can ask yourself:

Involvement in the Church

Ways to get involved

What do I like to do?

What do I want to do?

Read I Corinthians 12:8-11 So, we’re all of one Spirit. Does that mean we are all the same? What am I good at?

Read I Corinthians 12:14-20

One way to determine your gifts is to take a Spiritual Gifts Inventory. You can log onto: http://buildingchurch.net/g2s.htm, answer 125 questions (honestly) and it will calculate for you your top gifts. (Mine will be posted—for I would never ask you to do something I won’t do along with you.) Now ask: What are my gifts? And look for places to use them!

Pray for wisdom in using your gifts. They were gifted to you for use here and now! Don’t take them for granted.

Of the people you know (including you) what part of the body do you think they are? Label the body above with your body of friends.

February 3, 2009

The Church is for the perfecting of the members not a rest home for perfect. -Gaia Child “Ithesuppose a fellow can worship on