The New Testament uses a rich variety of images and examples to help us understand what the church is meant to be. Rather than seeing church as simply a weekly gathering or an organisation to belong to, Scripture presents it as a Spirit-filled people through whom God reveals his presence, displays his wisdom and advances his mission in the world. This series explores some of those biblical pictures, inviting us to see afresh God’s heart for his church and our place within it.
Across five weeks, we begin by exploring the church as God’s temple, where his people encounter his presence, the body of Christ, where every member has a vital part to play, and a community of disciples called to join Jesus in his mission of making disciples. We then turn to two churches in the book of Acts – the churches in Jerusalem and Antioch – which provide compelling examples of what life together can look like when God’s people are devoted to him, generous towards one another, expectant for the work of the Holy Spirit, and committed to taking the gospel to the nations. Throughout the series we are challenged not simply to admire these biblical portraits, but to become the kind of church God has called us to be: a people devoted to Christ, transformed by his Spirit and sent into the world for his glory.
This series includes notes for preachers, as well as suggested follow-up questions for community groups and ideas for worship songs that complement each week’s theme.
