Ekklēsia - The Assembly of the Church
Part  - Plugging In

Church Attendance
Read Heb 10:24-25 / 1 Cor 16:2 / Acts 20:7. Answer the following questions.
Is there a mandate on how often to meet? Why is it important to meet regularly?

Volunteerism
Read Jas 2:14-17
What does James mean when he says, “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead?”

Now, read Mk 10:43-45. What does it mean to be a servant (diakonos) in this context?

In Galatians 1:10 we read, “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
The word servant (doulos) here is clearly different and an important point to make when talking about volunteerism.

Diakonos – one who serves; assistant; attendant. This is where we get the word Deacon.

Doulos – A slave, devoted and owned by another to the disregard of one’s own interests.

In Col 3:23-24 we read, “"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”

Keeping Col 3:23-24 in mind, how should be serve in the local church? To help in your response, read Gal 5:13.

Small Group Attendance
Read Acts 2:42-47, concentrating on vv. 46-47 to answer the following question.
How often was the early church meeting and what does that mean for us in our churches today?

Now reference Jas 5:16 and answer the following question.
What two actions are we to perform if we are to apply this verse to small groups? What are some of the benefits of these actions?

In Jn 13:34-35 Jesus gives us a command. What is this command and how does it benefit the church?

Importance of Bible Intake (Study) and Accountability
Read Mt 4:4. Why is it so important to consistently read, study, meditate upon, and pray upon the Scripture?

Can we effectively do what Prov 27:17 says if we don’t self-study and prepare ourselves for meeting with others to study Scripture?

Being Vulnerable
Now read Gal 6:2. What does this verse tell us about vulnerability and actively participating in the lives of others in the church?

In 2 Cor 12:9-10 we read about Paul and the thorn that was given to him. After asking the Lord to take this “thorn” away from him the Lord responds to him:

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (ESV).

In light of Gal 6:2, what does this tell us about our own afflictions/weaknesses?

Ekklēsia - The Assembly of the Church
Part 2 - Spiritual Maturity

Read 1 Cor 12:4-7 and answer the following questions:
1) Who is promised spiritual gifts?
2) Did you find anything in this Scripture that helps to understand or explain who God is? If you need help, read 2 Cor 13:14.

Read 1 Cor 12:27-31 and answer the following questions:
1) What are the eight appointments for the benefit of the church?

2) Now read Eph 4:11-13 and circle the appointments above that are repeated from 1 Cor 12:27-31.

Read Rom 12:6-8 and answer the following questions:
What gifts are given to the Body of Christ?

Share your top 3 spiritual gifts based on your spiritual gift assessment below. Remember, this assessment is a tool; a means in helping you identify likely gifts.

How are spiritual gifts confirmed? See 1 Tim 4:14 and Phil 1:9.

Read 1 Pet 4:10-11. How are we to use our spiritual gifts and why?


SPIRITUAL MATURITY
You may ask: why do children, why do people, why does anyone stray from Christ? There are many reasons, but one of the biggest reasons that people stray from Christ is because they have not developed their walk with Christ. I was not working “out [my] salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12), and the church where I grew up was not helping. The church I grew up in was a country church where the preacher preached and families attended church. Yet, there was not an intentional plan to help young Christians grow and develop. The leaders of the church were good and godly people, but there was no intentional effort to help young believers grow and mature spiritually. This story is not uncommon.

Unfortunately, many churches are not intentional when it comes to focusing on equipping and empowering new believers to grow and develop to their full potential for the King and kingdom. As a result, many new believers stray from their Lord and Savior. The new believer is not strong enough to handle the “triple threat”—lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—and they fall away from their Lord and Savior (1 John 2:16).¹

• Based on what you read above, how long can someone be stuck in a state of being a spiritual infant? Why do you think this is? Read Heb 5:12-14 in preparation for your response.
• Now read 1 Cor 3:1-3. How does Paul need to address the church in Corinth and why does he have to address them in this way?

Look at the diagram and assess where you are on the wheel. Are you dead, an infant, child, young adult or parent in the faith? Provide a couple of reasons why you made that assessment and share it with the group.

Spiritual maturity in Scripture:

• Spiritually dead – Eph 2:1-5
• Infant – 1 Pet 2:2-3
• Child – 1 Jn 2:12 and 1 Thess 2:10-12
• Young adult – 1 Jn 2:13-14
• Parent – 2 Tim 2:1-2

Indications (taken from Disciple Shift by Putman and Harrington: 2013):

Spiritually dead individuals say:

• I don’t believe there is a God.
• The Bible is a bunch of myths.
• Religion is a crutch for the weak.
• I don’t believe in hell. People just make their own hell.
• There is no absolute right and wrong.
• I’m spiritual but don’t really connect to any religion.

Spiritual infants say:

• I need to go to church regularly? I’ve never heard that before.
• I didn’t know the Bible said that.
• Tithing? What’s that?
• Being outside is my church. I connect with God through nature.
• I know Jesus is God, but isn’t karma real too?
• I don’t need anyone else. It’s just me and Jesus.

Spiritual children say:

• I don’t know if this church is meeting my needs anymore. Maybe I should go to a different church that does better.
• Don’t branch my small group into two. We won’t get to be with our friends.
• Who are all these new people in the church? It’s getting too big.
• I didn’t like the music today. They should play more contemporary stuff.
• I wasn’t fed at all by that sermon today.
• Why don’t they have a ministry for singles in this church? They need to have one for singles.

Spiritual young adults say:

• In my devotion I came across something I have a question about.
• I really want to go on that mission trip this summer.
• I just love being a worship leader. I love seeing the congregation worship together.
• Frank and Hilda missed our small group today so I called them to see what was up.
• Look at how many are at church today. It’s awesome!

Spiritual parents say:

• I wonder if God is leading me to invest in "Frank" and help him mature in his faith.
• We get to baptize someone in our small group today. When is the next class meeting where we can get him plugged into ministry for his growth?
• The most important discipleship is with my children. Will you hold me accountable to lead devotions with my kids? I get so busy that I forget and become inconsistent.
• I have a young adult who is ready to be an apprentice in our group; it won’t be long before we are ready to branch out our small group.

1) What are some indicators of spiritual growth/maturity? See Gal 5:22-23.
2) Do we have any help from within the church to help us understand where we are in our growth? See Acts 20:28-30.

Here are some practical disciplines to help strengthen or start growing spiritually:
1) Pray consistently
2) Read your Bible daily
3) Fellowship with other believers regularly, both on the Lord’s Day and in small groups
4) Perform acts of service
5) Worship in word and deed
6) Give faithfully as your heart leads



¹Rod Dempsey, Disciple Making Is . . .: How to Live the Great Commission with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2013), 38–39.

Ekklēsia - The Assembly of the Church
Part 1 - Membership

Memory Verse: James 5:16, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

Study Questions:
1. How does James encourage patience during suffering? How does looking to the Lord’s return help us endure?

2. What role does prayer play in the life of a believer? How does this passage encourage your prayer habits?

3. How does confessing sins to one another promote healing? Why do believers struggle with this, and how can we overcome those barriers?

4. How should this passage affect our confidence in prayer?

5. How can we help restore someone who has wandered from the truth of Jesus Christ?

6. What does this passage teach about the importance of biblical community in faith? How does genuine accountability strengthen believers?

7. How can we cultivate a culture of prayer and restoration in our church? What are some risks of avoiding these practices?

8. Call to Action: Dedicate time to pray for someone in need. Take action by reaching out to them with encouragement, offering to help, or by walking alongside them.

Memory Verse: James 5:5, “You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.”

Study Questions:
1. What is James’s main critique of the rich in this passage? How does this passage warn against misplaced security in wealth?

2. The cries of the laborers and harvesters have reached the Lord. What does this reveal about God’s concern for justice?

3. How do these warnings challenge cultural attitudes about wealth, success, and self-indulgence?

4. What is the connection between wealth and spiritual accountability? How does James contrast earthly riches with eternal priorities?

5. How can believers steward wealth in a way that honors God?

6. Why is self-indulgence dangerous? What are some signs that wealth might be leading us away from God?

7. How can we, as a church, cultivate generosity and justice? What are some practical ways to prioritize people over possessions?

8. Call to Action: Evaluate your resources, whether financial, time, or talents, and intentionally use them to bless someone in need this week.

Memory Verse: James 4:15, “Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

Study Questions:
1. What does God's Word mean by describing life as a mist? How should this perspective of life shape our priorities?

2. Why is it important to view our earthly life through an eternal lens? How does this mindset influence our daily decisions?

3. Why is it arrogant to plan without considering God’s will? How can we guard against this attitude?

4. How can we balance making plans while still submitting to God’s will? What are some ways we can seek His guidance in practical decision-making?

5. How does acknowledging God’s sovereignty change our approach to decision-making?

6. How does “know the right thing to do and fail to do it” challenge us in areas where we might delay obedience?

7. What are some examples of subtle boasting we might not recognize? How can we shift from self-reliance to God-reliance in these areas?

8. Call to Action: Identify a specific plan or decision in your life and submit it to God in prayer. Ask Him to align your heart with His will.

Memory Verse: James 4:6-7, “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Study Questions:
1. What does God's Word say is the root cause of quarrels and fights among believers? How does this challenge us to examine our own hearts?

2. According to this passage, what is the result of “friendship with the world”? How does this contrast with being faithful to God?

3. How does submission to God strengthen our ability to resist temptation?

4. What are some practical ways we can actively draw near to God?

5. How does God’s call to “cleanse your hands” and “purify your hearts” challenge both our actions and inner motives?

6. What does this passage teach about the connection between humility and grace?

7. What kind of judgement is James warning against? How can we hold one another accountable and address sin in the church while still honoring God as the ultimate judge?

8. Call to Action: Surrender a struggle in your life to God by submitting to Him. Then take one specific step toward humbling yourself before God while trusting.

Memory Verse: James 3:17, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”

Study Questions:
1. How does God’s Word describe earthly wisdom and heavenly wisdom? How do the outcomes of the two differ?

2. What do the qualities of heavenly wisdom (v. 17) look like in daily life? Which of these is most challenging for you to live out? Which quality of earthly wisdom is most tempting for you?

3. How have you seen the wisdom of God impact yourself or someone else’s life?

4. What is a current situation where you need God’s wisdom?

5. How does heavenly wisdom promote peace in relationships and communities? Can you think of an example where godly wisdom defused conflict?

6. Based on James 3:14-17, how can we test whether the wisdom we receive is from God or the world?

7. Call to Action: Ask God for His wisdom in a current situation. Then, pray for His strength to follow His wisdom in faith.

Memory Verse: James 3:5, “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.”

Memory Verse: James 2:18, “But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

Memory Verse: James 2:8-9, “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.”

Memory Verse: James 1:22, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

Memory Verse: James 1:2-4, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

     When Jesus was born in Bethlehem during a census directed by Caesar Augustus (Octavian), He was born into a Greco-Roman world that, while wrought with military and political confusion just a few decades prior, was stable and relatively peaceful.¹ The region under Roman rule, which included modern-day Europe, northern Africa, and the Near East, was culturally Hellenistic. While Romans spoke Latin, Greek was the universal language of the time and Hellenistic influences permeated the region, particularly stressing literary and intellectual accomplishment. Monotheistic Jews were contrasted by Greek influences in the occult, philosophy, and religious syncretism, all of which would prime the region for the acceptance of the gospel message.¹
     By God’s grace, Jews were afforded a fair number of religious freedoms, which is significant when we consider the beginnings of Christianity. Of particular importance was the fact that the Sanhedrin remained intact and was the very vehicle through which the crucifixion of Jesus was carried out, ensuring Old Testament prophesies regarding the Messiah’s death, burial, and resurrection would be fulfilled.
     The Acts of the Apostles documents the setting and context of the early Christian Church. The very place where Jesus was crucified was the place where the Apostles were to remain, awaiting the anointing of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Before His ascension, Jesus promised they would be “baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now” (Luke 1:5, ESV). While Christians now, and in the first century, live in the present evil age, a key facet of the early Christian self-understanding was the conviction that, with the coming of Christ and the Spirit, the “last days” had dawned.² We are in an “already but not yet” time leading to the age of the Kingdom of God, where Jesus will overthrow Satan once and for all.³ In Romans 16:20 we read, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you."
     With the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost those who were indwelt with the Spirit of God were sealed for the day of redemption (cf. Eph 4:30). Those who have since put their faith in Jesus Christ enjoy that same promise. While all Christians know this to be true, what is less understood may be the significance of the early church in organizing and proselytizing.
Without the narrative accounts in the book of Acts, which accounts for over 10% of the New Testament, we would not have the story of Pentecost, Stephen’s martyrdom after his speech before the high priest, Saul’s conversion story, and the Jerusalem council, to name a few.  Furthermore, we may not get the full picture of how Judaism is the foundation of Christianity; how the early Church did not necessarily forsake such events as meeting together daily in the temple courts. In Acts 2:42 Luke notes that fellowship involved community gatherings where believers learned the Apostles’ teachings, broke bread, and prayed. These were common practices that were taking on a whole new meaning.
     Dr. Stacy notes that Luke wrote Acts to remind his audience (then and now) that irrespective of distances between Judaism and Christianity, Christianity began as a legitimate movement within the piety of first century Judaism.⁴ Old Testament commands, which warranted certain Jewish disciplines, served the early church well, assuming it was understood that Jesus did not come to abolish the law, but fulfill it, as He indicates in Matthew 5:17; that the perfectly holy life He led fulfilled the moral requirements of the Torah.
     Peter appealed to the “Jewishness” of the early church by referring to the prophecy of Joel regarding the last days, quoting Joel 2:28-32. Peter will also reference back to David’s writings in Psalm 16. While the grace of God and His sovereign will is what drags men out of their sin and death (cf. Jn 6:44) and into life in Christ, the means through which the Apostles were able to witness so effectively was by their eyewitness accounts of the risen Christ, the giftings (such as healing) which proved their divine appointment and apostolic authority, and by appealing to the pious and practicing nature of a Jewish, monotheistic (which was exclusive to Judaism), society.
     As a final example of this appeal, the concept of baptism was well-known in Jewish Levitical practice. The Jewish mikvah, which was a cleansing from physical, spiritual, or moral impurity was an early signal of what was to come in the ordinance of believer’s baptism. While mikvah was a ceremonial cleansing, accomplished with a purpose and carrying significant meaning, modern-day Christianity largely considers baptism an afterthought. This shouldn’t be so! We should not separate the act (repentance) from the ritual that signifies it (baptism).⁴
     In conclusion, let us never forget that the early Christian Church was built upon the foundation of Jewish beliefs and Old Testament promises, fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While members of the religious elite summarily denied the deity of Christ, Jesus took ordinary men and used them to build the early Church into an eschatological community of the new age.

God’s Three-in-Oneness: The Trinity

Questions to consider while reading the Scriptures of this study:

1. Why is the doctrine of the Trinity unique among the various religions of the world?
2. How would you explain the biblical evidence of the Trinity?
3. What are the essential elements of the doctrine of the Trinity?
4. What, if anything, do analogies contribute to our understanding of the Trinity?
5. Why is the doctrine of the Trinity Important?

THE ONENESS OF GOD

• The exclusivity of worshiping the one true God
• The prohibition of idolatry
• Biblical references: Ex 3:13-15, Deut 6:4-6,13-14, Zech 14:9, 1 Cor 8:4-6, 1 Tim 2:5-6, Jms 2:19)

THE DEITY OF THE THREE

• Father (Matt 6:26, 6:31-32, 19:23-26, 27:46, Mark 12:17, 24:27)
• Son (Matt 12:28, 13:41, 19:14, 21:21, 21:43, 24:30, 25:31-33, 26:63-64, Mark 2:8-10, 14:62, Luke 12:8-9, 15:10, John 1:1-5)
• Holy Spirit (John 3:8, 16:8-11, Acts 5:3-4, 1 Cor 3:16-20, 1 Cor 12:4-11)

THREE-IN-ONENESS

• Matt 3:16-17, 28:19-20, John 1:33-34, 13:5, 14:16, 15:26, 16:7, 20:21-22, Acts 2:33/38, Rom 15:15-16, 2 Cor 13:14, Gal 4:6, 1 Pet 1:2

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF TRINITARIAN DOCTRINE

1. God is one, not several.
2. The deity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit must be affirmed.
3. The threeness and oneness of God are not contradictions.
4. The Trinity is eternal. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have always existed and have always been divine.
5. The functions of the three may seem subordinate at times, but are never inferior in essence. Non are ever less than another.
6. The Trinity cannot be fully understood.

References: Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013. 

The Immanence & Transcendence of God

Immanence:

• Definition: God’s presence and activity within nature, humans, and history.
• Biblical References: Gen 1:2, Gen 2:7, Jer 23:24, Job 27:3, Job 33:4, Job 34:14-15, Ps 104:29-30, Acts 17:27-28.
• Implications:
  1. God is not limited to working directly to accomplish his purpose. In other words, God can work through his created agents to accomplish his purposes.
  2. Example: God miraculously heals, but also works through surgeons to bring healing
  3. God isn’t limited to working through only Christian organizations. God can work through non-Christian and nominally Christian people and organizations to accomplish his will.
     • Example: Chastening of Israel by pagan leader (Isa 44:28).
     • Example: Rebuilding of the Temple, funded by pagan leader (Ezr 1:2-4).
  4. When biblical truth is not violated, Christians and the church can work with non-Christians for God’s purposes.
  5. God’s immanence makes a way for non-believers to come into contact with the gospel of Christ (Matt 1, Luke 1, Matt 28:18-20, Acts 1:8).
• Personal Reflection and Application:
  1. How can an understanding of God’s immanence encourage you in your  walk with Christ?  
  2. Where do you see opportunities to join God’s work in your community or workplace, even through non-Christian individuals or organizations?  
  3. What steps can you take this week to reflect God’s presence and activity in the way you live and interact with others?  

Transcendence:

• Definition: God is separate from and independent of nature and humans. God is superior to his creation.
• Biblical References: Isa 55:8-9, Isa 6:1-5, Isaiah 57:15, Ps 113:5-6, Ps 123:1, Jn 8:23
• Implications:
  1. There is something higher than humans.
  2. God, truth, and value are not determined by a shifting world, but by a high and exalted God.
  3. God can never be completely captured by human concepts.
  4. Our salvation is not our achievement.
  5. There will always be a difference between God and humans.
  6. We ought to have reverence to and for God in our relationship to him.
  7. We should expect and anticipate genuinely transcendent working by God.
• Personal Reflection and Application:
  • How does an understanding of God’s transcendence shape your prayer life and worship?  
  • In what areas of your life do you need to acknowledge that God’s ways are higher than your own?  
  • What practical steps can you take to show reverence for God in your daily life?

Definitions, implications, and biblical support references were derived from the following resource:
Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013.