Explore new horizons of a living faith
These pages are designed to aid study or investigation for Christian discipleship through individual Bible study, Cell groups, Home groups, or meeting one to one. The questions could be used alone allowing each person to use their own Bible.
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 2 Cor 5:17
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Derek’s Blog which comes out weekly to fortnightly is at -
Go to the new more user friendly version - beingrecreated.org
One of the things we discover when we enter a relationship with God is that all His children are brothers and sisters. We are a vast family who have become His children. This family is The Church.
Bible Zone
- Join the family - The church is God’s family.
- Choose a church - There are styles of church as there are approaches to God.
- Baptism - Entering the church family.
- Communion - Feeding on Christ.
The ideal church that existed in the first months after Jesus’ death and the coming of the Holy Spirit, whom He promised. This is Acts 2.
- What were the relationships like among the believers?
- How would the believers meet?
- How did people relate to God in the light of all this?
Acts 2:43-47 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
A broader perspective on Join the family
There are many churches because there are many ways people prefer to meet with God. There is a wonderful variety of churches. We have different ways of expressing ourselves, different approaches to God, different tastes of music, different ages.
- Finding a Church - An opportunity to explore and meet people.
- Why the differences? - Different churches for each different approach to God.
- Is it a cult? - What is lifted up? What is the fruit of the ministry?
- Find one & settle - Church is a community with people, not a consumer choice.
A broader perspective on Choose a church
Jesus had people baptised by His disciples when He was ministering on earth. After His death and Resurrection Jesus gave this command in Matthew 28. Baptism existed in Judaism as a means of bringing people into the Jewish religion. John the Baptist introduced a Baptism for repentance to Jewish people wanting to make a new start with God. In this way he prepared the way for Jesus.
- What authority did Jesus have in giving this command?
- What did Jesus command His disciples to do?
- What does it mean to baptise in the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit?
Matthew 28:18-20 18 Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,* baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
A broader perspective on Baptism
Paul gives teaching about communion. He focuses on remembering Jesus and testifying to his death on the cross which sealed a covenant or agreement between God and us.
1 Corinthians 11
- Why would the bread and wine help us to remember Jesus?
- What spiritual significance is indicated in the bread and wine?
1 Corinthians 11 23 For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread24 and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, "This is my body, which is given for you.* Do this to remember me."25 In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it."26 For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord's death until he comes again.
A broader perspective on Communion
GOD’S PEOPLE - The Church
