Today we continue on our study on the impact of the Church in our community. At the end of the study, we should be able to identify the “image” of the Church painted in these scriptures.
Ice Breaker: What do you think of when someone mentions the word “church”?
How might non-believers view the church?
Read Mat 16:13-19 – Who owns the Church?
- How do you interpret the insight given by Jesus in verse 17?
- In verse 18,
- What is the rock to which Jesus was referring?
- Who does the church belong to? . . . does it?
- What was the owner of the Church declaring?
- in verse 19 How do you interpret the authority given to Peter?
- What “image” of the church did Christ paint in these scriptures? How does this understanding encourage your faith?
Read 1 Peter 2:4-8 The Church Is Living and Confident
- Discuss several spiritual analogies that can be made from “you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house”.
- And how is Christ a cornerstone?
- What “image” of the church is painted in these scriptures?
- How will this new status with God influence the way we live?
Read 1 Peter 2:9-10 – The Church Is Special – Of Great Worth
- How do these verses put the rest of this passage in perspective? (“chosen”; “mercy” = withholding our due punishment and helping the desperate)
- From these verses alone what influence does the “living stone” have on us?
Wrap up:
What was the most meaningful statement or scripture heard today?
