Good morning everyone! We are continuing our series from the book, I AM A CHURCH MEMBER – Discovering the Attitude that Makes the Difference, written by Thom S. Rainer. Let’s get started!

Review:

  • The Journey: 1-A new, or renewed attitude about our church, 2-Our church will begin to change
  • God placed us in churches to serve, to care for others, to pray for leaders, to learn, to teach, to give, and, in some cases, to die for the sake of the gospel
  • We are all necessary parts of the whole; we are different but we still work together

Q: Explain why church membership is a biblical concept, using 1 Cor. 12 as your biblical foundation.

A: We are considered the Body of Christ. In a “body”, there are many different parts. There is no one part that is more important, or less than, any other part. Each of the parts has a specific responsibility in order for the body to be whole. Church membership and the Body of Christ are similar in these ways. (Share your answers with one another.)

Today’s Devotion: Chapter 1 – I Will Be a Functioning Church Member (part 2)  Membership Means …

…Everything We Say and Do Is Based on a Biblical Foundation of Love  1 Cor. 13 is often referred to as “the love chapter.” This chapter has been read at weddings, used as a declaration between husband and wife, and preached as the fuller meaning of agape or unconditional love. However, its original meaning was to demonstrate how church members relate to one another. In 1 Cor. 13:4-5, we can find that these two verses alone are sufficient to cause a revival in most churches! I encourage you to share further thoughts together on your own.

…Functioning Membership  Do you know how to remain a biblical member of a church? Give abundantly and serve without hesitation. Biblical church membership gives without qualification. Biblical membership views the tithes and offerings as joyous giving; no strings attached. Biblical church membership is functioning membership. One of the ongoing questions we should always ask ourselves, and God, in prayer is: “How can I best serve my church?”

The First Pledge  I am a church member. Because I am a member of the Body of Christ, I must be a functioning member. As a functioning member, I will give. I will serve. I will minister. I will evangelize. I will study. I will seek to be a blessing to others.

Question: How is the “love chapter,” 1 Cor. 13, related to church membership? Explain using all 13 verses of the chapter. (You can answer this individually, or take time together as a family) Let’s be ready to share with each other next Sunday. 

Next week >>> Chapter 2 – I Will Be a Unifying Church Member

Let’s pray: Dear God, we thank You for your unconditional love toward us. May we take time each day to think about the ways that You show us Your love. And as we consider Your ways, help us to reflect Your love toward one another. We ask that Your Holy Spirit move in us, and through us, so that Your love will be recognized by the people we are in contact with from day to day. Let us remember to ask You for direction in every area of our lives. Let us be functioning members of Your church as a whole. We pray for any unspoken requests represented among us today. We lift up our unsaved loved ones before You; soften their hearts toward the gospel. Bring healing to those who are sick. We pray that we will be able to gather together in our churches soon as You have always intended for us to be with one another. We believe You are in control, and we look to You for wisdom and guidance through these uncertain times. We give You glory, honor, and praise. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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