Why church?

Foundations

Read

¹²For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. ¹³For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all given to drink into one Spirit. ¹⁴For the body is not one member, but many. ¹⁵If the foot would say, “Because I’m not the hand, I’m not part of the body,” it is not therefore not part of the body. ¹⁶If the ear would say, “Because I’m not the eye, I’m not part of the body,” it’s not therefore not part of the body. ¹⁷If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be? ¹⁸But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired. ¹⁹If they were all one member, where would the body be? ²⁰But now they are many members, but one body. ²¹The eye can’t tell the hand, “I have no need for you,” or again the head to the feet, “I have no need for you.” ²²No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. ²³Those parts of the body which we think to be less honorable, on those we bestow more abundant honor; and our unpresentable parts have more abundant propriety; ²⁴whereas our presentable parts have no such need. But God composed the body together, giving more abundant honor to the inferior part, ²⁵that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. ²⁶When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. Or when one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. ²⁷Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.
1 Corinthians 12:12–27

Think

Some people say, “I can be a Christian without going to church.” The New Testament would find that a puzzling idea. When people trusted Jesus, they were joined together: they learned, ate, prayed and shared their lives (Acts 2:42).

Paul says the church is like a body. Every part is different and every part is needed. You have something to give that nobody else can, and you need what others bring.

Church is also where we’re known and cared for, where we’re encouraged when we’re struggling and challenged when we drift.

No church is perfect, and Clearspring isn’t either. But it’s a family God has given you. Come, belong, and help make it a place where others can find Jesus too.

Talk it over

What has your experience of church been like, good or bad?
In 1 Corinthians 12, what does it mean that every part of the body is needed?
What could you bring to the church family?

Learn by heart

Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works,
Hebrews 10:24

Learn this verse

This week

Introduce yourself to someone new at church this Sunday, or join a group.

Pray

Lord, thank you for your church. Help me to belong, and to serve.