Study notes

Chapter 4. When the Church comes together

The Scripture gives very clear instructions on how the early church met together by giving examples from letters to various churches. Paul writes to Ephesus, Corinth and others.

We are reminded:

• There is only one body Eph.4v4 into which we are baptised 1Cor.12:12-25
• There is the functioning together of all true believers Eph.4v16.
• There is the fellowship of each believer sharing in each others lives and building each other up in teaching, counselling, encouraging, administering and rebuking 1Cor.5
• There is unity John 17v20-21, Eph.4v3 yet diversity 1Cor.12v4-6, Gal.3v28, without division. Unity among believers with different backgrounds, personalities and gifts is a direct result of the Holy Spirit.

Note: - Fellowship, is the mutual sharing, partnership, and participation with others 1Cor.1v9, 1John 1v3. Fellowship is not possible with men and women in the world 2Cor.6:14-17.

Several practical things were undertaken following the salvation of God. The church would be:

• Studying the Word together · Sharing with each other outside the church meeting
• Eating meals together · Sharing what they owned with each other · Praying and worshipping together.
• It is obvious that they would have met in their own homes as well as in the temple Acts 2:42-47

Word of wisdom 1 Kings 3:16-28 · Word of knowledge 2 Kings 6:8-12 · Faith Rom.12:3
• Gifts of healing James 5:13-16 · Working of miracles John 2:1-11 · Prophesy 1Cor 14:1-39
• Discerning of spirits 1 John 4:1-4, Mark 5:1-17 · Speaking in other tongues Acts 2:5-12, 1Cor.14
• Interpretation 1Cor.14 · Apostles 1Cor.1:1 · Prophets Eph.2:19-22, 1 Peter 4:10-11, 2 Peter 1:20-21 · Pastors/Teachers 1Peter 2:25 · Evangelists Acts 8:5-13 · Helps Rom.16:1-2
• Administrations Rom.12:7 · Serving Rom.12:7 · Encouraging Phil 4:2, Heb.10:24-25
• Giving 1Cor.16:1 · Ruling Rom.12:8 · Mercy Rom.12:8

• Head Covering 1Cor.11:1-16
• Baptism Matt.28:19-20
• Breaking of Bread Luke 22:14-20
• Marriage Matt.19:4-6.

The purpose of the church is the communication of love 1Cor.13 Eph.4:11-16.

The Worship Meeting

This is the main meeting of the week when all church members gather to love and worship the Lord together. Worship is acknowledging the worth of God and worship is twofold:

• Expressing our love and worth with our lips in praise, singing, prayer, reading of the word, thanksgiving, exalting and glorifying God’s name confessing Christ before men.
• With our lives in serving God, serving others, practising and teaching the word, reverence and fear of God, holy living, giving, obedience to the word, ministering to peoples’ spiritual and physical needs.

Worship is anything we do or say which lifts up and glorifies God and brings honour to the name of Jesus Gen.22:1, Job 1:2, 1Cor.10:31, Col.3:7. The church does not have fellowship with unbelievers 2Cor.6:14-15.

Music Ministry

It is obvious that music ministry has a very important role in the worship and praise life of the church and is usually undertaken by one or more persons gifted on musical instruments.

The person responsible or involved must:

• Work with the leader of the meeting selecting appropriate worshipful music for the meeting.
• Help set the atmosphere for worship and preaching by the music presented.
• Teach other members of the church to sing and play instruments.
• Co-ordinate all the music ministry of the church
• Lead sensitively in introducing songs and choruses seeking to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
• Music should compliment and enhance worship and preaching and not overshadow the ministry of the church.

How a Meeting Should Proceed

• Leaders and those in responsibility should arrive 1hr. to 15 minutes before depending upon the job undertaken.
• All other members should be seated before the arranged time 2 Peter3:9-14, Matt:25:1-13, Eph.5:15-16, 1 Cor.14:23-25.
• The meeting is not a place for catching up on our latest news, a lot of noise distracts from worship.
• Allow the meeting to begin and proceed quietly and firmly - seek to restrain the natural spirit that wants to shout. Move into praise - which means to bless, shout, clap 2Sam.6:1-5, 1Chron15:25-28, Ps.100, Ps.150, Ex.15, 2 Chron.20:15-22 and then worship which means the kiss of the hand towards, entering into God through the veil Gen.22, Job1&2, Matt.15, 1Cor.14:23-26.
• The gifts of the Spirit function in this environment, 1 Cor.14:26-33.
• Leadership oversees the meeting and redirects if members of the congregation take things off course, gently bringing people back.
• If there is ministry from the word it will usually come at this point in the meeting.
• At the end of preaching comes the response not necessarily publicly but an opportunity for all to do business with God in their hearts.
• After the meeting give much time for those who are challenged to allow the word to sink into their hearts. It is at this point that the word can be lost and the devil snatch away the seed.

The Breaking of Bread

The Breaking of Bread, often referred to as Communion or The Lord's Supper is one of the many ordinances instituted in Scripture Acts 2:42-46, Luke 22:19. Its foundation began at the celebration of the Passover and continues as a reminder of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ Ex.11:12, John 1:29,35, John 6:53.

Paul’s instructions to the Corinthian church bring back into their hearts the seriousness of the occasion 1 Cor.10:16-21, 11:23-34.

The Prayer Meeting

Duncan Campbell said that he didn't believe in the religion of any who was not to be found in the prayer meeting. No officer, youth worker, Sunday school teacher is qualified for their job if not found in the times of church prayer life Acts 1:14, Acts 2:42, Acts 4:21, Acts 6:1-6, Acts 12:5-19, Acts 13:1-3. James said that we have not because we ask not James 4:3, 1:5-6, 5:17-18. There will also be times of prayer and fasting Isa.40:31, Matt.26:36-46, Matt.4.

Children’s Meetings

Although it is the responsibility of each family to teach their children at home the things of God there is undoubtedly a place for specific instruction to those children between the ages of 0 - 12. Added to the times of worship and ministry other activities in the week give opportunity for friendships to develop. In these gatherings both on Sunday and in the week, other children from the area can be encouraged to come via a children’s outreach thus providing means to reach their parents. It is important, however, to ensure that children’s teachers are well prepared and not young people seeking a better option than the main meetings. All children’s teachers should attend one of the main meetings and the prayer meeting to qualify for their task.

Youth Meetings

Youth meetings certainly give opportunity for those of the same age to fellowship together and learn to lead in the things of God while also having a basis for practical friendship. It is in these times that instruction should be given on relationships and how to live the Christian life at school, in the home and in the church.

Systematic Bible Studies

It is important that the pastor or one of the other leading elders, takes on series of systematic bible studies over a long period of time. Books such as 1 Corinthians, 1 John and John's gospel give most of the teaching relevant to every day life.

House and Bible Study Groups

The heart of effective Bible based training is further developed in smaller groups and Bible studies. Groups can range from 5 to 15 people dependent on a number of factors:

• The nature of the subject · The number of interested people
• Available people to lead discussions and studies. · Size of the facility available.

• Allows the Bible to be taught in an informal setting.
• Permits exchange of ideas, interaction, discussions and questions centred on the subjects introduced.
• Encourages attention to be focused on issues or problems of common interest.
• Promotes mutual ministry, edification and accountability within the group.
• Creates a sense of belonging. · Elevates ‘spectator’ Christians who get lost in a large group.

The Bible clearly supports small group study (Acts 2:42-47, Rom.16:5).

How to Prepare a House Meeting

• Pray.
• Promote a home that has a foundation to build people into the life of God. A home where the presence of God is known and experienced where husband and wife live in harmony together.
• Do a great deal of advertising personally encouraging people to attend, printing invitation cards that can be distributed to all those you meet in the church, in the school, at the office, college.
• Arrange a programme for 3 months in advance if quarterly and for 3 months if monthly to give opportunity for advance planning for those who are busy.
• Provide facilities for singing with music and words. Get everyone to sing. Singing provides a basis for God to move.
• Be ready early for those who will come before the arranged time having the house in order and the younger members of the family in bed.
• Always begin promptly. · Be as informal as possible. · Make everything brief.
• Be simple in the message and ministry. · Draw people out.
• Vary the approach of the meetings to create better interest to those who do not know the Lord.
• Keep the meeting in order and on the subject being aware of those who want to discuss issues not arranged for that day.
• Have a time for short prayer and opportunity for prayer requests. · Close promptly.

All to be taught by spiritually mature men and/or women dependent on the subjects chosen.

Variety of Groups:

Men

• Focusing on special problems of men at home or in business.
• Reinforcement of roles and responsibilities.
• Accountability. · How to be a godly leader.

Women

• Allowing women’s viewpoints and perspectives to be expressed.
• Providing emotional support. · Reinforcement of roles and responsibilities.

Married Couples

• Marriage principles focusing on problems of mutual concern.
• Building of couple friendships. · Raising children.
• How couples can stay happily married. · The problems of growing old.
• How to make use of time wisely.

Children and Youth

• To respect and obey. · Provide Biblical values. · To present godly adult role models.
• Deal with peer pressure at school, drugs, sex, alcohol, and courtship.

New Christians

• Follow up new Christians designed to teach fundamental truths of salvation and how to live a godly life pleasing to God.
• How to grow spiritually to maturity.

Factors in Establishing a Group Meeting

• Age.
• Geographical location.
• Common interest.
• Male/female.
• Specific needs.

Baptisms

Baptism is another ordinance mentioned in the Scriptures as to be regularly practised by the church. Like the others it is an outward sign of something far more fundamental. Ministry by the Pastor should make it clear that baptism is not an option. Gen.6-8, Exodus 14:19-31, 2 Kings 5, Rom.6:1-6, 1 Peter 3:18-22. The early church baptised when men and women responded to the gospel - Acts 2:37-40, Acts 8:36-40, Acts 16:25-34. There does not appear to be a series of baptismal classes, although as these meetings need some arrangements the pastor should ensure in his heart that the one being baptised should understand the commitment they are making.

Weddings

Marriage is always a great time for the local church when two lives who have grown up into the Lord know the Lord's guiding into a permanent union. The pastor is often a guide to the couple although he will in no way be the instigator of such union. The wedding service will follow the wishes of the couple who may give the pastor liberty to preach the gospel as most of the relatives and friends would probably not know the Lord. During the preceding weeks the pastor will give clear guidance on the principles of marriage. These are covered in the section Counselling developing relationships.

Dedications

These usually follow in course. They are times of recognising the graciousness of God in bringing safely children into the world.
There are 3 aspects for prayer:

• The giving of thanks for the child and it's safe arrival and prayer that the Lord may separate it out from those things which it may have inherited in its birth. Ex.1:15-22, Ex.2:1-10.
• Prayer for the parents that God may give instruction in the bringing up of these children. Col 3:20, Eph.6:1-14
• Prayer for the church, friends and family who will take on themselves responsibility to care for the whole family, watchful lest they should encounter difficulties in later life.
  

Funerals

These are times of great opportunity for the minister to show the great love of God and of the church to those who sorrow after the loss of someone they have loved Rom.12:15, John 11:35.

General Guidelines

• Visit the surviving spouse, parents, children, relative etc. expressing both God’s love and care and that of the church. Be prepared for some that are grieving to express bitterness, resentment and anger towards God and His church.
• Don’t use trite religious statements and phrases or appear to have all the answers.
• Allow for the emotional expression of tears, grief and sorrow.
• Share appropriate verses of Scripture and pray John 14:1-4, Ps.23.
• Arrange for church members to help meet the immediate needs of the remaining family.
• Find out discreetly enough information about the deceased to make the service personal and meaningful.

In the Service

• Praise the Lord
• Use appropriate hymns and songs
• Pray - Use appropriate Scriptures: Rom.8:28-39, 1Cor.5:50-58, Heb.2:5-15, John 11:1-48, Ps.90:1-17, Luke 16:19-31, Ecc.3:1-14.
• Speak briefly about 20 minutes
• Don’t over-praise the deceased
• Share personally things learned

The Message

• Should comfort, encourage and strengthen believers.
• Should convict, challenge and confront unbelievers.

It is almost always appropriate to share the gospel at a funeral service for everyone must be prepared one day to meet with the Lord.

Evangelism

Evangelism is an automatic extension of the life of any living fellowship. There are many ways in which a church can evangelise. Door to door visitation, street work, mother and toddlers club, children’s work etc. It is certain that as a church moves out God moves to bring people in. An insular church will stagnate.

Missionary Meetings

As God reaches into the hearts of the members of the church he puts inside the burden of the lost world. This results in the call of God to go into all the world and preach the gospel. Matt.28:19-20. Those that go out will be supported regularly by prayer and the missionary meetings gives special opportunity to hear news not only of its members but of other work going on in the world.