Introduction

Answer the following questions:

Am I a Christian? __________________________________________________________________
When I come to church, do I get anything out of it? (Explain your answer if you feel the need.)

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Honestly, why do I come to church?

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Don’t be afraid to answer these questions honestly. In fact, it’s important that you are completely honest in your answers. If you don’t, then this Bible study won’t be as effective in your life as it could be.

I. Biblical definition of “church”

A. “called-out assembly of believers” (Greek word ekklesia; translated “church” in most of the New Testament)

B. “sacred place” (Greek word hieron; used in Acts 19:37)

II. What a church should be

A. A place of prayer. (Acts 12:5- “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.”)

1. Christians as individuals are commanded to pray, but we are also to pray as a church as well- all in one accord.

B. A place where we speak of what God has done and what He wants to do. (Acts 14:27- “And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.”)

C. A place where Christ is the head. (Eph. 1:22- “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,”)

D. A place where God is glorified. (Eph. 3:21- “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”)

E. A place where praises are sung to Jesus. (Heb. 2:12- “Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.”)

F. A place where the Word of God is taught. (Acts 2:42- “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”) (Heb. 2:12- “Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.”) (Acts 15:4- “And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.”)

Now, think about these things in relation to your church. These are just some of

the marks of a good church. Now ask yourself this question: According to this list, how good is my church? Remember that no church is going to be perfect, but a church that does the things on this list is a good church.

Why is it, then, that people- teenagers included- can go to a good church and get nothing out of it? Excellent question!

III. Why people don’t get anything out of church

A. They are not saved.

1. Remember: one of the definitions of “church” is “a called-out assembly of believers”

B. They don’t treat it as a sacred place. (see the other Greek word used for “church”)

1. They come for the wrong reason.

a. We should come to church with a desire to worship the Lord, learn His Word, and fellowship with other believers.

2. They cause trouble or confusion by their actions. (I Cor. 14:33- “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”)

3. They treat others as inferior to them. They don’t respect others like they should. (I Cor. 12:28- “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.”) (I Cor. 10:32- “Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:”)

a. This is what causes divisions and “cliques” in the church. (I Cor. 11:17-18 – “¹⁷Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. ¹⁸For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.”)

4. They are more concerned with themselves than they are with the Lord. (Col. 1:18- “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”)

Conclusion

If you go to a church that meets the Biblical requirements of a good church and you’re not getting anything out of it, then the problem is not with the church. Many people blame the church when the problem is really within their own hearts. God has something special for each and every one of us every time we come to church. Don’t let Satan cause you to miss it!