Why the church?
A Biblical Study
The Five Ministries of Each Local Church
Study 3
Teaching
There are a multitude of books written on the church and what it is to do in this world. Amazingly, many of them tend to utilize their own ideas or wording to describe its functioning. The Scriptures make it plain that there are five areas of ministry for each local church.
These are described in Acts 2:42,47. Take a look:
Acts 2:42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Notice that these early disciples practiced on a continual basis the following four ministries:
· teaching, fellowship, worship (breaking of bread), and prayer. There is no need to add to them, change their wording or reduce them in any way.
Yes, we need to explain and develop an understanding of each of them so we will begin with the ministry of teaching.
The Holy Spirit is Our Teacher
1. Read John 14:26, 16:13 and 1 John 2:20,27. What do these verses tell us about the Holy Spirit as our teacher?
2. Read 1 Cor. 2:10-16. How do these verses add to our understanding of the role of the Holy Spirit as our teacher?
The Bible-the Word of God
3. Read John 17:17 and 2 Timothy 3:14-17. What are the ways the Bible helps us to grow as Christians?
4. Read Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1. What are the benefits of meditating on God’s Word?
5. Read Matthew 28:19. Describe two ways that a local church can teach believers how to obey all that Jesus commanded. (From your past experience)
List three of Jesus commands found in the Scriptures.
6. Read 1 Timothy 3:2; 1 Timothy 5:17; Titus 1:9. What spiritual gift must spiritual leaders exercise in the church? Why is this important?
7. Read 1 Cor. 12:27,28, Eph. 4:11 and Romans 12:7. What spiritual gift is given to different individuals for the benefit of the church as a whole?
8. Read Ephesians 4:11,12. How do the various teaching gifts mentioned in verse 11 help believers in a local church?
The Attitude of the Believer Toward the Bible
9. Read Nehemiah 8:6; James 1:21,22; Matt. 7:24,25. What attitude is shown by believers in these passages?
10. Read 2 Timothy 2:2. How does Paul describe the process of discipleship in this verse? What is the content that is to be passed along?
11. Read 2 Timothy 4:1-4. What is vital to the continued spiritual growth of the church? What influences are there within the church to cause it to change from this emphasis?
Describe the ways in which the Holy Spirit is teaching you from the Word of God?