Lesson 41

How does the Lord want us to

go about deciding which church to

join?

Why does God want us to join a church?

Hebrews 10:24-25And let us consider how

we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up

meeting together, as some are in the habit of

doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you

see the Day approaching.

Why does God want us to join a church?

Acts 1:14

They all joined together constantly

in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his

brothers.

Why does God want us to join a church?

James 5:16

Therefore confess your sins to each

other and pray for each other so that you

may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and

effective.

encourage one another

as we worship and

pray together

Why does God want us to join a church?

John 21:15

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to

Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly

love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said,

“Feed my lambs.”

Why does God want us to join a church?

Proverbs 22:6

Train a child in the way he

should go, and when he is old he

will not turn from it.

Why does God want us to join a church?

Ephesians 3:16-19I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power

through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in

your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and

established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp

how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of

all the fullness of God.

study the Bible

together, young and

old, growing in God’s

Word

Why does God want us to join a church?

Matthew 28:19

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing

them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the

Holy Spirit…

Why does God want us to join a church?

Mark 16:15

He said to them, “Go into all the

world and preach the good news to

all creation.”

work together to

spread God’s Word in the

world

Key Point #1

God wants us to join a church so that we can join together with others (fellowship) in worship, prayer, education, evangelism,

and mission work.

What is the most important test God wants us to use in deciding which church to join?

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of

evil.

What is the most important test God wants us to use in deciding which church to join?

1 John 4:1

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because

many false prophets have gone out into the

world.

What is the most important test God wants us to use in deciding which church to join?

John 8:31

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you

hold to my teaching, you are

really my disciples.”

teaches only what the Bible

teaches

What is the most important test God wants us to use in deciding which church to join?

Revelation 22:18-19I warn everyone who hears

the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds

anything to them, God will add to him the plagues

described in this book. And if anyone takes words away

from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him

his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

adds to or subtracts from

the Bible

Key Point #2

The test God wants us to use in deciding which church to join is whether that church

holds completely to his Word.

What does God tell us to do if we find that a church is adding something to or subtracting something

from God’s Word?

Romans 16:17

I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way

that are contrary to the teaching you have

learned. Keep away from them.

adds to or subtracts from

the Bible

What does God tell us to do if we find that a church is adding something to or subtracting something

from God’s Word?

2 Corinthians 6:14,17

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what

do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light

have with darkness? “Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean

thing, and I will receive you.”

adds to or subtracts from

the Bible

What does God tell us to do if we find that a church is adding something to or subtracting something

from God’s Word?

2 John 10,11

If anyone comes to you and does not

bring this teaching, do not take him into your

house or welcome him. Anyone who

welcomes him shares in his wicked work.

adds to or subtracts from

the Bible

What does God tell us to do if we find that a church is adding something to or subtracting something

from God’s Word?

Titus 3:10

Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a

second time. After that, have nothing

to do with him.

adds to or subtracts from

the Bible

Key Point #3God tells us to keep away from, to separate ourselves

from, and not to welcome or have anything to do with

such a church.

Why does God tell us to keep ourselves separate from any church that add to or subtracts from his

Word?

2 Timothy 2:16-17

Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will

become more and more ungodly. Their teaching

will spread like gangrene. Among them

are Hymenaeus and Philetus…

God wants us to separate ourselves from false

churches

Why does God tell us to keep ourselves separate from any church that add to or subtracts from his

Word?

Galatians 5:9

“A little yeast works through the whole batch

of dough.”

God wants us to separate ourselves from false

churches

because false

teaching ruins more

and more of God’s Word

Why does God tell us to keep ourselves separate from any church that add to or subtracts from his

Word?

2 Corinthians 11:3

But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the

serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be

led astray from your sincere and pure

devotion to Christ.

God wants us to separate ourselves from false

churches

so the devil can’t harm our faith

with poisoned “food”

Why does God tell us to keep ourselves separate from any church that add to or subtracts from his

Word?

Titus 3:10

Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a

second time. After that, have nothing

to do with him.

God wants us to separate ourselves from false

churches

Why does God tell us to keep ourselves separate from any church that add to or subtracts from his

Word?

James 5:19-20My brothers, if one of you should wander from the

truth and someone should bring him back,

remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the

error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

God wants us to separate ourselves from false

churches

to warn the people in

these churches about the

poison they’re

“eating”

Key Point #4God tells us to keep

ourselves separate in order to keep our souls from being harmed and to warn the

members of that church of the danger to their souls.

Some time in the future you might go away to college or to

find work in another community or to get married. How will you go about finding a new church

home?

Your friend tells you that her church is exciting to attend and invites you to attend church one

Sunday. What do you do?

You’re discussing the differences between your church and others with several people at school or at work. In the course of the discussion, you point

out various false teachings in some other churches. Suddenly one person says in obvious frustration, “Oh, the people in your church think they’re better than other churches because they’re the only ones who teach the Bible right!” How do you respond?

Lesson 41

God wants me to make the decision about which church to join by

testing whether it teaches the pure Word of God.

Vocabulary…

“Visible Church”

a local gathering of people claiming to be

Christians

Vocabulary…

“Fellowship”

joining with other Christians

Vocabulary…

“Heterodox”

containing false (“other”) teachings

Vocabulary…

“Orthodox”

pure in teaching