The good news? Our situation is not hopeless, and getting people back into the pews starts with reminding them\u2014or even teaching for the first time\u2014what the church is and why the church gathers. If we can reclaim these core truths, we\u2019ll rediscover that church is not an option, it\u2019s who we are, and it\u2019s where we belong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is the Church?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAs a parent, I hear it every Sunday, like a liturgy for the opening of the garage door: \u201cWhy do we have to go to<\/em> church?!\u201d The difficulty in answering, though, is that the question itself is slightly askew. Perhaps you\u2019ve heard it asked another way, like from a well-meaning mother on a Sunday afternoon (curious about the message and not your attendance, of course): \u201cHow was<\/em> church?\u201d These are great questions, but they imply something about the \u201cchurch\u201d that contributes to prevailing attitudes towards it, namely in how we understand what the church is<\/em>. If we see the church as just a place or a production, we\u2019ll quickly find that our devotion lies with spaces and smoke machines. If it is something far greater\u2014and it is!\u2014then we have a cornerstone worth building upon, one that will not fade or fail under the external pressures we push against it.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSo, what is the church? Instead of a place or an event, Scripture describes it as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- A people<\/strong> (\u201cGreet also the church<\/em> in their<\/em> house,\u201d Acts 18:22)2<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Who gather<\/strong> together (\u201cAnd when they arrived and gathered<\/em> the church<\/em> together, they declared all that God had done with them,\u201d Acts 14:27)3<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- And act<\/strong> together (\u201cWhen they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed<\/em> by the church<\/em>,\u201d Acts 15:4)4<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
People<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe Church is a People<\/strong>.<\/em> Before anything it does or any time it gathers, the church is simply people. More specifically, the Church (big \u201cC,\u201d universal church)5<\/a><\/sup> is the body of believers in all the world.6<\/a><\/sup> There\u2019s no membership class or paperwork to fill out; if you have come to faith in Christ, through his grace, you are a member of this body, and it\u2019s not just any body, it is his<\/em> body!7<\/a><\/sup> We are the bride<\/em>, and he is the groom<\/em>, together as one.8<\/a><\/sup> It is an incredible thing to be part of the church, and this incredible reality comes with incredible responsibility.9<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\nWho Gather Together<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe Church is a people who gather together<\/strong>.<\/em> Gathering isn\u2019t just something that the church does, it is how Scripture defines it. Gathering is our namesake. The actual Greek word behind \u201cchurch\u201d is ekkl\u0113sia<\/em>, which means \u201cassembly,\u201d or even \u201csummoned assembly.\u201d10<\/a><\/sup> Wherever you see the word \u201cchurch\u201d in your bible, you are actually seeing the word \u201cassembly.\u201d The church is a group of believers, together. If we do not assemble, we are not the ekkl\u0113sia<\/em>, a truth Jesus illustrates (where two or three gather, there he is),11<\/a><\/sup> and an imperative the writer of Hebrews emphasizes (we should not neglect gathering).12<\/a><\/sup> We aren\u2019t just better together, together is who we are.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAnd Act Together \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe Church is a people who gather together and act together<\/strong>. <\/em>There\u2019s power in numbers, but only if those numbers do something in a unified way. The New Testament abounds with examples of the way the body of believers is to act. Among other things, the church worships, preaches, partakes in the ordinances, prays, fellowships, disciples, evangelizes, pursues justice, provides accountability, administers discipline, stewards resources, defends the faith, and engages in missions, together.13<\/a><\/sup> The church is in motion, visible at work 24\/7 as the hands and feet of Jesus. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nAll of this aligns with the way we have historically viewed the church,14<\/a><\/sup> including Baptists, who defined it more recently as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u2026an autonomous local congregation<\/strong> of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship<\/strong> of the gospel; observing<\/strong> the two ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, exercising<\/strong> the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking<\/strong> to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth.<\/em>15<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\nPeople, together, acting. It is no mistake that God modeled his church after his very nature: a triune Godhead (a people), perpetually in fellowship (assembled), and always at work (acting together). It\u2019s incredible when you really think about it. To relegate the church to a place or time reduces it to the margins of our lives instead of honoring it as the common, unbreakable thread that joins them together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Do We \u201cGo to\u201d Church?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThough the church transcends space and time, its charge to be at work in the world in our current space and time can make the mandate to gather a bit of a paradox. Accordingly, intentionality is critical, and the New Testament church set the standard in how they gathered, not just for the sake of having a day, but ascribing to it a higher purpose, one that we can see baked into the translation itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You may notice that \u201cchurch\u201d sounds nothing like ekkl\u0113sia<\/em><\/a>.<\/em>16<\/a><\/sup> <\/em>That\u2019s because it\u2019s not actually derived from it (fun!). Instead, it has roots back to the Greek kyriakos<\/em> (of the Lord) or kyriak\u0113<\/em> (house of the Lord), which then transformed into the Middle English chirche<\/em>, or Church! Since its inception, Sundays with the assembled church have been about the Lord, his people in his house\u2014the Lord\u2019s Day!<\/p>\n\n\n\nIt’s true that Scripture doesn\u2019t give us a comprehensive understanding of all the facets of the church, but, with a close reading, we can know that the church, at a minimum,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Assembled on the first day of the week in remembrance of the resurrection (not as a Sabbath, or new Sabbath)17<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- And on this day, they worshipped, preached, gave, and administered the sacraments\/ordinances18<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The people<\/strong> gathered<\/strong> (at a set time and place), and they acted<\/strong> (in many ways). The rhythm here is familiar. What it is and what it does are indivisible attributes of the church. This is why, as mentioned earlier, failure to gather is, at best, unqualified disobedience,19<\/a><\/sup> or even worse, a rejection of the presence of the Lord.20<\/a><\/sup> The link is so strong that some theologians, like John Piper, go as far as saying that walking away from the church is like walking away from Jesus.21<\/a><\/sup> What is a body without its parts? \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nFruit of the Assembly<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nEven the newest believers understand that the Christian life is one of obedience (dying to ourselves, in fact),22<\/a><\/sup> but in our modern context, we can struggle to see our lives outside the lens of, \u201cwhat\u2019s in it for me?\u201d Pointing to the plain and clear way Scripture speaks about the church is not going to move the needle for many, but this is where we can get involved. In some respects, it is up to us to show that \u201cchurch\u201d is something more to those who only see obedience as legalism. Gathering comes with a multitude of benefits, and that\u2019s why God, full of love and mercy, designed us for it. I could drone on about studies in statistics showing how regular church attendance dramatically decreases the divorce rate or even mortality rates, but better than this, our lives testify that gathering:23<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Builds and strengthens communities<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Builds and strengthens families<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Provides a place of rest and restoration<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Meets physical, emotional, and spiritual needs<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Encourages, edifies, and holds accountable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
There are many articles and studies out there that are far more comprehensive than this small list, but while the point is still clear in this list, these truths are worthless if they\u2019re not evidenced by our lives.24<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\nThis is why, for example, regularly choosing to miss church for kids\u2019 sporting events raises important questions. Prioritizing other activities over church may not reflect well on the importance of church in our lives. If we want others, especially our kids, to see that the gospel truly changes and reorders our lives, we need to both believe it and practice it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the End, We Will Love What Matters<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nI recently took our kids to a University of Texas football game where over 100,000 people made it a priority to gather together in the name of school spirit. A weekly occurrence, we sang songs, participated in sacred traditions, gave (too much), interceded (when the call didn\u2019t go our way), and bore witness to a message of victory (thankfully). What took place on the field, and the rich tradition behind it, was enough to break down our walls and unify us together into something greater\u2014you may even call it a homefield advantage. This world is increasingly hostile towards the gospel and the church, but we, too, have a homefield advantage at least one day a week in the church. To take advantage of it, all that\u2019s required is for us to love what we say we love, and be what Scripture says we already are: the church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n
- See this<\/a><\/strong> recent Gallup study. The apparent decline in national church attendance is more so from religious \u201cnones,\u201d as opposed to those who identify with a denomination. For example, SBC attendance is recently up<\/a><\/strong>. For the \u201cnones,\u201d see https:\/\/www.graphsaboutreligion.com\/p\/is-anyone-going-to-church-more-now. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- See also, Matthew 18:17, Acts 2:47, 1 Corinthians 12:28, and Acts 18:22. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- See also, 1 Corinthians 11:18,33 and 1 Corinthians 14:23,28. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- See also, Matthew 18:17, Acts 15:22, and 1 Corinthians 5:4-5. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- For convenience, going forward I use \u201cchurch.\u201d Let the context inform the definition. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- I make no distinction here between the visible and invisible church. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- Romans 12:5. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- Ephesians 5:25-27. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- See, e.g., Luke 12:48. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- Of note, always in the singular as it relates to local churches. Jonathan Leeman has a challenging and edifying book titled \u201cOne Assembly\u201d that takes an academic deep dive on this topic. (https:\/\/www.crossway.org\/books\/one-assembly-tpb\/). \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- Matthew 18:20. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- Hebrews 10:25. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- Ephesians 5:19, 2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Corinthians 11:26, Acts 2:42, Acts 2:46, Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 10:14, Micah 6:8, Galatians 6:1, Matthew 18:15-17, 2 Corinthians 9:7, 1 Peter 3:15, Acts 1:8. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- Augsburg Confession (Lutherans), Thity-Nine Articles (Anglicans), Westminster Confession of Faith (Presbyterians), and 1644 London Baptist Confession (Baptists). \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- https:\/\/bfm.sbc.net\/bfm2000, Article VI. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- When Willaim Tyndale first translated ekkl\u0113sia<\/em>, he used \u201ccongregation,\u201d so it wasn\u2019t always \u201cchurch.\u201d \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- See Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, 2 Corinthians 9:12, John 20:1, John 20:19, and Revelation 1:10. I also want to point you to a robust investigation on the Sabbath and the Lord\u2019s Day in a volume by D.A. Carson titled \u201cFrom Sabbath to Lord’s Day\u201d (https:\/\/store.ligonier.org\/from-sabbath-to-lords-day-paperback) \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- Colossians 3:16, Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, Acts 2:42. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- Remember God\u2019s directive to the divided nation of Israel? “But you shall seek the place that the Lord your God will choose out of all your tribes to put his name and make his habitation there. There you shall go.” (Deuteronomy 12:5, ESV). From cover to cover, God has wanted his people to worship together. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- Matthew 18:20. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- Galatians 2:20<\/a> \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- Galatians 2:20 \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- Regular attendance can reduce a couple\u2019s risk of divorce by 47 percent, https:\/\/www.thepublicdiscourse.com\/2018\/03\/20935\/ \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- See, e.g., this list from H.B. Charles: https:\/\/www.9marks.org\/article\/assembly-required-25-reasons-to-regularly-participate-in-public-and-corporate-worship\/ \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li><\/ol>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Discover how the church, as a gathering of people, redefines our priorities and reflects our commitment to the gospel.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":1715,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"\n
Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I remember the first time I stood up to teach the Bible to a group of women in my local church. I was terrified. Yes, I studied the passage diligently and spent hours preparing pages of notes, but I wasn\u2019t sure if my preparation was effective. Is my teaching structured well? Will the women be interested or learn anything new? Have I interpreted this passage correctly?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nMany women who are asked to teach a Sunday School class, speak at a Bible study, or lead a small group experience similar fears. They often have little or no training specific to teaching Scripture and feel unequipped and insecure in their preparation. Even so, the abundance of resources available on the subject of teaching Scripture can be paralyzing for a new Bible teacher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s why we need books like Empowered and Equipped: Bible Exposition for Women Who Teach the Scriptures<\/em><\/a>. Julia Higgins, assistant professor of ministry to women at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, seeks to provide women with the tools they need to faithfully and effectively teach the Word of God to other women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/media.thegospelcoalition.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/12102846\/A1L74YuwgQL.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nEmpowered and Equipped: Biblical Exposition for Women Who Teach the Scriptures <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJesus commissioned disciples to teach the nations, and women of the church must take his call seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Men and women alike are given the spiritual gift of teaching, yet few resources are designed specifically for women who exposit the Scriptures. In Empowered and Equipped<\/em>, Julia Higgins steers women through the steps needed to faithfully interpret, apply, and teach a passage of Scripture. By examining both the principles and practices of teaching of Bible exposition, Higgins seeks to prepare women in the local church to make and mold disciples.<\/p>\n\n\n\nB&H Academic. 224 pp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Should Women Teach the Bible?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
First we must ask, Is a book that encourages and equips women to teach Scripture necessary or even appropriate? There\u2019s much discussion today about whether the Bible permits women to teach at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an effort to submit to Scripture\u2019s teaching, many have unfortunately moved beyond what God\u2019s Word prescribes to impose unbiblical restrictions on women. To argue that women shouldn\u2019t teach Scripture in any formal setting misunderstands God\u2019s design for discipleship. Higgins argues that all followers of Christ, including women, are included in the Great Commission and its call to teach other disciples everything Christ commanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, as Higgins explains, \u201cSome may conflate the spiritual gift of teaching with the office of pastor\/elder and draw a false conclusion that only men are to exercise the gift of teaching. While qualified men are responsible to teach and oversee the local church, that does not negate the fact that both men and women are given the spiritual gift of teaching.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nAll followers of Christ, including women, are included in the Great Commission and its call to teach other disciples everything Christ commanded.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Spiritual gifts, including the gift of teaching, are given for the common good (1 Cor. 12:7<\/a>) and for building up the church (1 Cor. 14:12<\/a>). It follows that women are not only permitted to teach in appropriate settings but are needed for the growth and maturity of the body of Christ. This pattern is exemplified in the women in Scripture who are called to teach and commended for their teaching ministries, many of which Higgins references.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn light of the biblical call for women to teach, Higgins writes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The end of the matter is this: women should be given a context where they can teach the Word in the local church. Why? Because Christ\u2019s church will grow and others will be discipled in the faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her book, therefore, provides \u201ca pathway for women to exercise teaching gifts in the local church,\u201d and specifically focuses on training women to teach women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Helpful Foundation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Higgins provides an accessible yet substantial foundation for teaching Scripture. She incorporates principles and strategies from some of the most highly respected Bible teachers of our day, giving readers a well-rounded introduction to teaching Scripture without information overload.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Higgins has a high view of God\u2019s Word and a Christ-centered approach that highlights the overarching storyline of the Bible. Readers will gain essential tools for expository teaching, learning to base the central teaching focus, supporting points, and application on the main point and structure of the text itself. Higgins even encourages this kind of verse-by-verse teaching for topical messages, so that the teacher is always communicating the text\u2019s intended purpose rather than taking passages out of context as proof texts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Empowered and Equipped<\/em> walks teachers through the process of creating a Bible exposition, from understanding the nature of Scripture all the way to writing an expositional outline. Higgins covers a wide range of content from theoretical to practical, including information on biblical genres, basic doctrinal issues, and hermeneutics.<\/p>\n\n\n\nShe spends a large portion of the book giving instruction on studying the Bible inductively, including specific strategies for observation, interpretation, generalization, and application and for how that study translates into instruction. The scope of the book makes it suitable for beginners\u2014although they may want to work through it more slowly\u2014as well as for those who have been studying and teaching Scripture for some time but are looking for a process to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Empowered and Equipped<\/em> covers an impressive amount of ground in a surprisingly manageable page count, readers may leave with unanswered questions. For example, the book includes almost no discussion of incorporating meaningful illustrations or transitions. On other topics, such as the discussion of genre or the overview of theological doctrines, Higgins gives only brief introductions. Anything more, however, would make the book overwhelmingly dense, and readers can continue to explore these topics in more depth as they see fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\nEmpowered and Equipped to Teach God\u2019s Word<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The church needs gifted women who not only speak on a short list of \u201cfemale-friendly\u201d topics stereotypical of women\u2019s conferences or retreats but who teach the whole counsel of God for the good of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nThe church needs gifted women who not only speak on a short list of \u2018female-friendly\u2019 topics but who teach the whole counsel of God for the good of the body.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Higgins appeals, \u201cThis call for women to be teachers of the Word arises from a place of care and concern for over half of the body, so that the church might grow in love for God and his Word, passing it along to others, so that they too might go and make disciples of all nations to the end that Christ\u2019s commands are observed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As this book makes its way into the hands of more and more women who treasure the Bible and long to see it elevated and proclaimed, I pray the church will be edified and God\u2019s glory made known. I pray the teachers it equips will grow in their love for Christ even as the women they teach develop new excitement for God\u2019s Word. I pray that instead of feeling insecure and unprepared, women will be empowered and equipped to teach the Scriptures.<\/p>\n","_et_gb_content_width":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"[{\"content\":\"See this<\/a><\/strong> recent Gallup study. The apparent decline in national church attendance is more so from religious \u201cnones,\u201d as opposed to those who identify with a denomination. For example, SBC attendance is recently up<\/a><\/strong>. For the \u201cnones,\u201d see https:\/\/www.graphsaboutreligion.com\/p\/is-anyone-going-to-church-more-now. \",\"id\":\"ae1fce56-219a-49f0-9785-50d2bb4c8b1c\"},{\"content\":\"See also, Matthew 18:17, Acts 2:47, 1 Corinthians 12:28, and Acts 18:22.\",\"id\":\"894719f8-1e8a-4b47-8472-a42466f88354\"},{\"content\":\"See also, 1 Corinthians 11:18,33 and 1 Corinthians 14:23,28.\",\"id\":\"9d640fac-982d-46b6-b204-eb6279a0e146\"},{\"content\":\"See also, Matthew 18:17, Acts 15:22, and 1 Corinthians 5:4-5.\",\"id\":\"2af896e0-577a-4321-ba82-a3ec9cf4637f\"},{\"content\":\"For convenience, going forward I use \u201cchurch.\u201d Let the context inform the definition.\",\"id\":\"5f57ea3c-7e05-412a-a8b6-f3c4e0383b24\"},{\"content\":\"I make no distinction here between the visible and invisible church.\",\"id\":\"9fce4b12-e8e4-4d32-a8b7-92f6cd779d4f\"},{\"content\":\"Romans 12:5.\",\"id\":\"da4dd706-0e4c-4dc6-9078-de5a5013b940\"},{\"content\":\"Ephesians 5:25-27.\",\"id\":\"86b4e7eb-159a-45d9-a74e-3d3c207078b0\"},{\"content\":\"See, e.g., Luke 12:48.\",\"id\":\"8ba00156-9d94-46af-b675-afc605e73b58\"},{\"content\":\"Of note, always in the singular as it relates to local churches. Jonathan Leeman has a challenging and edifying book titled \u201cOne Assembly\u201d that takes an academic deep dive on this topic. (https:\/\/www.crossway.org\/books\/one-assembly-tpb\/).\",\"id\":\"e3c9dab7-e7d0-408b-9bd8-92eb5f7818ca\"},{\"content\":\"Matthew 18:20.\",\"id\":\"3e9f1aeb-125d-40be-a0e4-81d2ad83e542\"},{\"content\":\"Hebrews 10:25.\",\"id\":\"a1f8083d-e269-4944-b39a-6bd81b5351e5\"},{\"content\":\"Ephesians 5:19, 2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Corinthians 11:26, Acts 2:42, Acts 2:46, Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 10:14, Micah 6:8, Galatians 6:1, Matthew 18:15-17, 2 Corinthians 9:7, 1 Peter 3:15, Acts 1:8.\",\"id\":\"36867566-440b-47c1-9f07-1938dea9df21\"},{\"content\":\"Augsburg Confession (Lutherans), Thity-Nine Articles (Anglicans), Westminster Confession of Faith (Presbyterians), and 1644 London Baptist Confession (Baptists).\",\"id\":\"aadd07ea-e323-4a6a-82aa-82cc1eb6e55d\"},{\"content\":\"https:\/\/bfm.sbc.net\/bfm2000, Article VI.\",\"id\":\"2f7d6b73-e0b4-4e1a-a2cd-8203be9f8638\"},{\"content\":\"When Willaim Tyndale first translated ekkl\u0113sia<\/em>, he used \u201ccongregation,\u201d so it wasn\u2019t always \u201cchurch.\u201d\",\"id\":\"e72ccd58-5249-4a8a-91d3-97f380b9f174\"},{\"content\":\" See Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, 2 Corinthians 9:12, John 20:1, John 20:19, and Revelation 1:10. I also want to point you to a robust investigation on the Sabbath and the Lord\u2019s Day in a volume by D.A. Carson titled \u201cFrom Sabbath to Lord's Day\u201d (https:\/\/store.ligonier.org\/from-sabbath-to-lords-day-paperback)\",\"id\":\"e34ed759-1969-4bb5-b5e5-2dd08d24eb42\"},{\"content\":\"Colossians 3:16, Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, Acts 2:42.\",\"id\":\"e097f1d6-0a6e-4c82-ad9b-00cff41334bf\"},{\"content\":\"Remember God\u2019s directive to the divided nation of Israel? \\\"But you shall seek the place that the Lord your God will choose out of all your tribes to put his name and make his habitation there. There you shall go.\\\" (Deuteronomy 12:5, ESV). From cover to cover, God has wanted his people to worship together.\",\"id\":\"8a952895-5209-4f74-b9c8-43ed397bec3a\"},{\"content\":\"Matthew 18:20.\",\"id\":\"68975653-b7db-4275-b783-53f9cdb928ce\"},{\"content\":\"Galatians 2:20<\/a>\",\"id\":\"173b879a-4e70-49b0-a6a9-30e3d51fe43b\"},{\"content\":\"Galatians 2:20\",\"id\":\"b70069e3-4460-47c3-b7cb-74ee46c64be4\"},{\"content\":\"Regular attendance can reduce a couple\u2019s risk of divorce by 47 percent, https:\/\/www.thepublicdiscourse.com\/2018\/03\/20935\/\",\"id\":\"64a63cd0-cb51-4f72-89fd-69a15e92c00a\"},{\"content\":\"See, e.g., this list from H.B. Charles: https:\/\/www.9marks.org\/article\/assembly-required-25-reasons-to-regularly-participate-in-public-and-corporate-worship\/\",\"id\":\"e5c16c3c-50e0-4416-bfbe-8151b9b59ac0\"}]"},"categories":[29,24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1712","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-church-life","category-theology","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\nWhy do we have to go to church?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover how the church, as a gathering of people, redefines our priorities and reflects our commitment to the gospel.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/2024\/06\/19\/why-do-we-have-to-go-to-church\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" 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So, what is the church? Instead of a place or an event, Scripture describes it as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- A people<\/strong> (\u201cGreet also the church<\/em> in their<\/em> house,\u201d Acts 18:22)2<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Who gather<\/strong> together (\u201cAnd when they arrived and gathered<\/em> the church<\/em> together, they declared all that God had done with them,\u201d Acts 14:27)3<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- And act<\/strong> together (\u201cWhen they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed<\/em> by the church<\/em>,\u201d Acts 15:4)4<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
People<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Church is a People<\/strong>.<\/em> Before anything it does or any time it gathers, the church is simply people. More specifically, the Church (big \u201cC,\u201d universal church)5<\/a><\/sup> is the body of believers in all the world.6<\/a><\/sup> There\u2019s no membership class or paperwork to fill out; if you have come to faith in Christ, through his grace, you are a member of this body, and it\u2019s not just any body, it is his<\/em> body!7<\/a><\/sup> We are the bride<\/em>, and he is the groom<\/em>, together as one.8<\/a><\/sup> It is an incredible thing to be part of the church, and this incredible reality comes with incredible responsibility.9<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Who Gather Together<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Church is a people who gather together<\/strong>.<\/em> Gathering isn\u2019t just something that the church does, it is how Scripture defines it. Gathering is our namesake. The actual Greek word behind \u201cchurch\u201d is ekkl\u0113sia<\/em>, which means \u201cassembly,\u201d or even \u201csummoned assembly.\u201d10<\/a><\/sup> Wherever you see the word \u201cchurch\u201d in your bible, you are actually seeing the word \u201cassembly.\u201d The church is a group of believers, together. If we do not assemble, we are not the ekkl\u0113sia<\/em>, a truth Jesus illustrates (where two or three gather, there he is),11<\/a><\/sup> and an imperative the writer of Hebrews emphasizes (we should not neglect gathering).12<\/a><\/sup> We aren\u2019t just better together, together is who we are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And Act Together \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Church is a people who gather together and act together<\/strong>. <\/em>There\u2019s power in numbers, but only if those numbers do something in a unified way. The New Testament abounds with examples of the way the body of believers is to act. Among other things, the church worships, preaches, partakes in the ordinances, prays, fellowships, disciples, evangelizes, pursues justice, provides accountability, administers discipline, stewards resources, defends the faith, and engages in missions, together.13<\/a><\/sup> The church is in motion, visible at work 24\/7 as the hands and feet of Jesus. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All of this aligns with the way we have historically viewed the church,14<\/a><\/sup> including Baptists, who defined it more recently as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026an autonomous local congregation<\/strong> of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship<\/strong> of the gospel; observing<\/strong> the two ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, exercising<\/strong> the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking<\/strong> to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth.<\/em>15<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People, together, acting. It is no mistake that God modeled his church after his very nature: a triune Godhead (a people), perpetually in fellowship (assembled), and always at work (acting together). It\u2019s incredible when you really think about it. To relegate the church to a place or time reduces it to the margins of our lives instead of honoring it as the common, unbreakable thread that joins them together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why Do We \u201cGo to\u201d Church?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Though the church transcends space and time, its charge to be at work in the world in our current space and time can make the mandate to gather a bit of a paradox. Accordingly, intentionality is critical, and the New Testament church set the standard in how they gathered, not just for the sake of having a day, but ascribing to it a higher purpose, one that we can see baked into the translation itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You may notice that \u201cchurch\u201d sounds nothing like ekkl\u0113sia<\/em><\/a>.<\/em>16<\/a><\/sup> <\/em>That\u2019s because it\u2019s not actually derived from it (fun!). Instead, it has roots back to the Greek kyriakos<\/em> (of the Lord) or kyriak\u0113<\/em> (house of the Lord), which then transformed into the Middle English chirche<\/em>, or Church! Since its inception, Sundays with the assembled church have been about the Lord, his people in his house\u2014the Lord\u2019s Day!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s true that Scripture doesn\u2019t give us a comprehensive understanding of all the facets of the church, but, with a close reading, we can know that the church, at a minimum,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Assembled on the first day of the week in remembrance of the resurrection (not as a Sabbath, or new Sabbath)17<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- And on this day, they worshipped, preached, gave, and administered the sacraments\/ordinances18<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The people<\/strong> gathered<\/strong> (at a set time and place), and they acted<\/strong> (in many ways). The rhythm here is familiar. What it is and what it does are indivisible attributes of the church. This is why, as mentioned earlier, failure to gather is, at best, unqualified disobedience,19<\/a><\/sup> or even worse, a rejection of the presence of the Lord.20<\/a><\/sup> The link is so strong that some theologians, like John Piper, go as far as saying that walking away from the church is like walking away from Jesus.21<\/a><\/sup> What is a body without its parts? \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fruit of the Assembly<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Even the newest believers understand that the Christian life is one of obedience (dying to ourselves, in fact),22<\/a><\/sup> but in our modern context, we can struggle to see our lives outside the lens of, \u201cwhat\u2019s in it for me?\u201d Pointing to the plain and clear way Scripture speaks about the church is not going to move the needle for many, but this is where we can get involved. In some respects, it is up to us to show that \u201cchurch\u201d is something more to those who only see obedience as legalism. Gathering comes with a multitude of benefits, and that\u2019s why God, full of love and mercy, designed us for it. I could drone on about studies in statistics showing how regular church attendance dramatically decreases the divorce rate or even mortality rates, but better than this, our lives testify that gathering:23<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Builds and strengthens communities<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Builds and strengthens families<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Provides a place of rest and restoration<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Meets physical, emotional, and spiritual needs<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Encourages, edifies, and holds accountable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
There are many articles and studies out there that are far more comprehensive than this small list, but while the point is still clear in this list, these truths are worthless if they\u2019re not evidenced by our lives.24<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is why, for example, regularly choosing to miss church for kids\u2019 sporting events raises important questions. Prioritizing other activities over church may not reflect well on the importance of church in our lives. If we want others, especially our kids, to see that the gospel truly changes and reorders our lives, we need to both believe it and practice it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the End, We Will Love What Matters<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I recently took our kids to a University of Texas football game where over 100,000 people made it a priority to gather together in the name of school spirit. A weekly occurrence, we sang songs, participated in sacred traditions, gave (too much), interceded (when the call didn\u2019t go our way), and bore witness to a message of victory (thankfully). What took place on the field, and the rich tradition behind it, was enough to break down our walls and unify us together into something greater\u2014you may even call it a homefield advantage. This world is increasingly hostile towards the gospel and the church, but we, too, have a homefield advantage at least one day a week in the church. To take advantage of it, all that\u2019s required is for us to love what we say we love, and be what Scripture says we already are: the church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n
- See this<\/a><\/strong> recent Gallup study. The apparent decline in national church attendance is more so from religious \u201cnones,\u201d as opposed to those who identify with a denomination. For example, SBC attendance is recently up<\/a><\/strong>. For the \u201cnones,\u201d see https:\/\/www.graphsaboutreligion.com\/p\/is-anyone-going-to-church-more-now. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- See also, Matthew 18:17, Acts 2:47, 1 Corinthians 12:28, and Acts 18:22. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- See also, 1 Corinthians 11:18,33 and 1 Corinthians 14:23,28. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- See also, Matthew 18:17, Acts 15:22, and 1 Corinthians 5:4-5. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- For convenience, going forward I use \u201cchurch.\u201d Let the context inform the definition. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- I make no distinction here between the visible and invisible church. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- Romans 12:5. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- Ephesians 5:25-27. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- See, e.g., Luke 12:48. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- Of note, always in the singular as it relates to local churches. Jonathan Leeman has a challenging and edifying book titled \u201cOne Assembly\u201d that takes an academic deep dive on this topic. (https:\/\/www.crossway.org\/books\/one-assembly-tpb\/). \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- Matthew 18:20. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- Hebrews 10:25. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- Ephesians 5:19, 2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Corinthians 11:26, Acts 2:42, Acts 2:46, Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 10:14, Micah 6:8, Galatians 6:1, Matthew 18:15-17, 2 Corinthians 9:7, 1 Peter 3:15, Acts 1:8. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- Augsburg Confession (Lutherans), Thity-Nine Articles (Anglicans), Westminster Confession of Faith (Presbyterians), and 1644 London Baptist Confession (Baptists). \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- https:\/\/bfm.sbc.net\/bfm2000, Article VI. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- When Willaim Tyndale first translated ekkl\u0113sia<\/em>, he used \u201ccongregation,\u201d so it wasn\u2019t always \u201cchurch.\u201d \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- See Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, 2 Corinthians 9:12, John 20:1, John 20:19, and Revelation 1:10. I also want to point you to a robust investigation on the Sabbath and the Lord\u2019s Day in a volume by D.A. Carson titled \u201cFrom Sabbath to Lord’s Day\u201d (https:\/\/store.ligonier.org\/from-sabbath-to-lords-day-paperback) \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- Colossians 3:16, Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, Acts 2:42. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- Remember God\u2019s directive to the divided nation of Israel? “But you shall seek the place that the Lord your God will choose out of all your tribes to put his name and make his habitation there. There you shall go.” (Deuteronomy 12:5, ESV). From cover to cover, God has wanted his people to worship together. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- Matthew 18:20. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- Galatians 2:20<\/a> \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- Galatians 2:20 \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- Regular attendance can reduce a couple\u2019s risk of divorce by 47 percent, https:\/\/www.thepublicdiscourse.com\/2018\/03\/20935\/ \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- See, e.g., this list from H.B. Charles: https:\/\/www.9marks.org\/article\/assembly-required-25-reasons-to-regularly-participate-in-public-and-corporate-worship\/ \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li><\/ol>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Discover how the church, as a gathering of people, redefines our priorities and reflects our commitment to the gospel.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":1715,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"\n
Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I remember the first time I stood up to teach the Bible to a group of women in my local church. I was terrified. Yes, I studied the passage diligently and spent hours preparing pages of notes, but I wasn\u2019t sure if my preparation was effective. Is my teaching structured well? Will the women be interested or learn anything new? Have I interpreted this passage correctly?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many women who are asked to teach a Sunday School class, speak at a Bible study, or lead a small group experience similar fears. They often have little or no training specific to teaching Scripture and feel unequipped and insecure in their preparation. Even so, the abundance of resources available on the subject of teaching Scripture can be paralyzing for a new Bible teacher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s why we need books like Empowered and Equipped: Bible Exposition for Women Who Teach the Scriptures<\/em><\/a>. Julia Higgins, assistant professor of ministry to women at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, seeks to provide women with the tools they need to faithfully and effectively teach the Word of God to other women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nEmpowered and Equipped: Biblical Exposition for Women Who Teach the Scriptures <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJesus commissioned disciples to teach the nations, and women of the church must take his call seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Men and women alike are given the spiritual gift of teaching, yet few resources are designed specifically for women who exposit the Scriptures. In Empowered and Equipped<\/em>, Julia Higgins steers women through the steps needed to faithfully interpret, apply, and teach a passage of Scripture. By examining both the principles and practices of teaching of Bible exposition, Higgins seeks to prepare women in the local church to make and mold disciples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
B&H Academic. 224 pp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Should Women Teach the Bible?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
First we must ask, Is a book that encourages and equips women to teach Scripture necessary or even appropriate? There\u2019s much discussion today about whether the Bible permits women to teach at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an effort to submit to Scripture\u2019s teaching, many have unfortunately moved beyond what God\u2019s Word prescribes to impose unbiblical restrictions on women. To argue that women shouldn\u2019t teach Scripture in any formal setting misunderstands God\u2019s design for discipleship. Higgins argues that all followers of Christ, including women, are included in the Great Commission and its call to teach other disciples everything Christ commanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, as Higgins explains, \u201cSome may conflate the spiritual gift of teaching with the office of pastor\/elder and draw a false conclusion that only men are to exercise the gift of teaching. While qualified men are responsible to teach and oversee the local church, that does not negate the fact that both men and women are given the spiritual gift of teaching.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
All followers of Christ, including women, are included in the Great Commission and its call to teach other disciples everything Christ commanded.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Spiritual gifts, including the gift of teaching, are given for the common good (1 Cor. 12:7<\/a>) and for building up the church (1 Cor. 14:12<\/a>). It follows that women are not only permitted to teach in appropriate settings but are needed for the growth and maturity of the body of Christ. This pattern is exemplified in the women in Scripture who are called to teach and commended for their teaching ministries, many of which Higgins references.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In light of the biblical call for women to teach, Higgins writes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The end of the matter is this: women should be given a context where they can teach the Word in the local church. Why? Because Christ\u2019s church will grow and others will be discipled in the faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her book, therefore, provides \u201ca pathway for women to exercise teaching gifts in the local church,\u201d and specifically focuses on training women to teach women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Helpful Foundation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Higgins provides an accessible yet substantial foundation for teaching Scripture. She incorporates principles and strategies from some of the most highly respected Bible teachers of our day, giving readers a well-rounded introduction to teaching Scripture without information overload.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Higgins has a high view of God\u2019s Word and a Christ-centered approach that highlights the overarching storyline of the Bible. Readers will gain essential tools for expository teaching, learning to base the central teaching focus, supporting points, and application on the main point and structure of the text itself. Higgins even encourages this kind of verse-by-verse teaching for topical messages, so that the teacher is always communicating the text\u2019s intended purpose rather than taking passages out of context as proof texts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Empowered and Equipped<\/em> walks teachers through the process of creating a Bible exposition, from understanding the nature of Scripture all the way to writing an expositional outline. Higgins covers a wide range of content from theoretical to practical, including information on biblical genres, basic doctrinal issues, and hermeneutics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She spends a large portion of the book giving instruction on studying the Bible inductively, including specific strategies for observation, interpretation, generalization, and application and for how that study translates into instruction. The scope of the book makes it suitable for beginners\u2014although they may want to work through it more slowly\u2014as well as for those who have been studying and teaching Scripture for some time but are looking for a process to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Empowered and Equipped<\/em> covers an impressive amount of ground in a surprisingly manageable page count, readers may leave with unanswered questions. For example, the book includes almost no discussion of incorporating meaningful illustrations or transitions. On other topics, such as the discussion of genre or the overview of theological doctrines, Higgins gives only brief introductions. Anything more, however, would make the book overwhelmingly dense, and readers can continue to explore these topics in more depth as they see fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Empowered and Equipped to Teach God\u2019s Word<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The church needs gifted women who not only speak on a short list of \u201cfemale-friendly\u201d topics stereotypical of women\u2019s conferences or retreats but who teach the whole counsel of God for the good of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
The church needs gifted women who not only speak on a short list of \u2018female-friendly\u2019 topics but who teach the whole counsel of God for the good of the body.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Higgins appeals, \u201cThis call for women to be teachers of the Word arises from a place of care and concern for over half of the body, so that the church might grow in love for God and his Word, passing it along to others, so that they too might go and make disciples of all nations to the end that Christ\u2019s commands are observed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As this book makes its way into the hands of more and more women who treasure the Bible and long to see it elevated and proclaimed, I pray the church will be edified and God\u2019s glory made known. I pray the teachers it equips will grow in their love for Christ even as the women they teach develop new excitement for God\u2019s Word. I pray that instead of feeling insecure and unprepared, women will be empowered and equipped to teach the Scriptures.<\/p>\n","_et_gb_content_width":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"[{\"content\":\"See this<\/a><\/strong> recent Gallup study. The apparent decline in national church attendance is more so from religious \u201cnones,\u201d as opposed to those who identify with a denomination. For example, SBC attendance is recently up<\/a><\/strong>. For the \u201cnones,\u201d see https:\/\/www.graphsaboutreligion.com\/p\/is-anyone-going-to-church-more-now. \",\"id\":\"ae1fce56-219a-49f0-9785-50d2bb4c8b1c\"},{\"content\":\"See also, Matthew 18:17, Acts 2:47, 1 Corinthians 12:28, and Acts 18:22.\",\"id\":\"894719f8-1e8a-4b47-8472-a42466f88354\"},{\"content\":\"See also, 1 Corinthians 11:18,33 and 1 Corinthians 14:23,28.\",\"id\":\"9d640fac-982d-46b6-b204-eb6279a0e146\"},{\"content\":\"See also, Matthew 18:17, Acts 15:22, and 1 Corinthians 5:4-5.\",\"id\":\"2af896e0-577a-4321-ba82-a3ec9cf4637f\"},{\"content\":\"For convenience, going forward I use \u201cchurch.\u201d Let the context inform the definition.\",\"id\":\"5f57ea3c-7e05-412a-a8b6-f3c4e0383b24\"},{\"content\":\"I make no distinction here between the visible and invisible church.\",\"id\":\"9fce4b12-e8e4-4d32-a8b7-92f6cd779d4f\"},{\"content\":\"Romans 12:5.\",\"id\":\"da4dd706-0e4c-4dc6-9078-de5a5013b940\"},{\"content\":\"Ephesians 5:25-27.\",\"id\":\"86b4e7eb-159a-45d9-a74e-3d3c207078b0\"},{\"content\":\"See, e.g., Luke 12:48.\",\"id\":\"8ba00156-9d94-46af-b675-afc605e73b58\"},{\"content\":\"Of note, always in the singular as it relates to local churches. Jonathan Leeman has a challenging and edifying book titled \u201cOne Assembly\u201d that takes an academic deep dive on this topic. (https:\/\/www.crossway.org\/books\/one-assembly-tpb\/).\",\"id\":\"e3c9dab7-e7d0-408b-9bd8-92eb5f7818ca\"},{\"content\":\"Matthew 18:20.\",\"id\":\"3e9f1aeb-125d-40be-a0e4-81d2ad83e542\"},{\"content\":\"Hebrews 10:25.\",\"id\":\"a1f8083d-e269-4944-b39a-6bd81b5351e5\"},{\"content\":\"Ephesians 5:19, 2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Corinthians 11:26, Acts 2:42, Acts 2:46, Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 10:14, Micah 6:8, Galatians 6:1, Matthew 18:15-17, 2 Corinthians 9:7, 1 Peter 3:15, Acts 1:8.\",\"id\":\"36867566-440b-47c1-9f07-1938dea9df21\"},{\"content\":\"Augsburg Confession (Lutherans), Thity-Nine Articles (Anglicans), Westminster Confession of Faith (Presbyterians), and 1644 London Baptist Confession (Baptists).\",\"id\":\"aadd07ea-e323-4a6a-82aa-82cc1eb6e55d\"},{\"content\":\"https:\/\/bfm.sbc.net\/bfm2000, Article VI.\",\"id\":\"2f7d6b73-e0b4-4e1a-a2cd-8203be9f8638\"},{\"content\":\"When Willaim Tyndale first translated ekkl\u0113sia<\/em>, he used \u201ccongregation,\u201d so it wasn\u2019t always \u201cchurch.\u201d\",\"id\":\"e72ccd58-5249-4a8a-91d3-97f380b9f174\"},{\"content\":\" See Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, 2 Corinthians 9:12, John 20:1, John 20:19, and Revelation 1:10. I also want to point you to a robust investigation on the Sabbath and the Lord\u2019s Day in a volume by D.A. Carson titled \u201cFrom Sabbath to Lord's Day\u201d (https:\/\/store.ligonier.org\/from-sabbath-to-lords-day-paperback)\",\"id\":\"e34ed759-1969-4bb5-b5e5-2dd08d24eb42\"},{\"content\":\"Colossians 3:16, Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, Acts 2:42.\",\"id\":\"e097f1d6-0a6e-4c82-ad9b-00cff41334bf\"},{\"content\":\"Remember God\u2019s directive to the divided nation of Israel? \\\"But you shall seek the place that the Lord your God will choose out of all your tribes to put his name and make his habitation there. There you shall go.\\\" (Deuteronomy 12:5, ESV). From cover to cover, God has wanted his people to worship together.\",\"id\":\"8a952895-5209-4f74-b9c8-43ed397bec3a\"},{\"content\":\"Matthew 18:20.\",\"id\":\"68975653-b7db-4275-b783-53f9cdb928ce\"},{\"content\":\"Galatians 2:20<\/a>\",\"id\":\"173b879a-4e70-49b0-a6a9-30e3d51fe43b\"},{\"content\":\"Galatians 2:20\",\"id\":\"b70069e3-4460-47c3-b7cb-74ee46c64be4\"},{\"content\":\"Regular attendance can reduce a couple\u2019s risk of divorce by 47 percent, https:\/\/www.thepublicdiscourse.com\/2018\/03\/20935\/\",\"id\":\"64a63cd0-cb51-4f72-89fd-69a15e92c00a\"},{\"content\":\"See, e.g., this list from H.B. Charles: https:\/\/www.9marks.org\/article\/assembly-required-25-reasons-to-regularly-participate-in-public-and-corporate-worship\/\",\"id\":\"e5c16c3c-50e0-4416-bfbe-8151b9b59ac0\"}]"},"categories":[29,24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1712","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-church-life","category-theology","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n
Why do we have to go to church?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover how the church, as a gathering of people, redefines our priorities and reflects our commitment to the gospel.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/2024\/06\/19\/why-do-we-have-to-go-to-church\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Why do we have to go to church?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Discover how the church, as a gathering of people, redefines our priorities and reflects our commitment to the gospel.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.championforest.org\/articles\/2024\/06\/19\/why-do-we-have-to-go-to-church\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Articles\" \/>\n<meta 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- See this<\/a><\/strong> recent Gallup study. The apparent decline in national church attendance is more so from religious \u201cnones,\u201d as opposed to those who identify with a denomination. For example, SBC attendance is recently up<\/a><\/strong>. For the \u201cnones,\u201d see https:\/\/www.graphsaboutreligion.com\/p\/is-anyone-going-to-church-more-now. \u21a9\ufe0e<\/a><\/li>
- And on this day, they worshipped, preached, gave, and administered the sacraments\/ordinances18<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Who gather<\/strong> together (\u201cAnd when they arrived and gathered<\/em> the church<\/em> together, they declared all that God had done with them,\u201d Acts 14:27)3<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n