Key Thought : The church is not an invention of man. The church was established by Jesus Christ to continue His covenant relationship with man.

[Lesson Plan for The Church August 18, 2014]

1. Have a volunteer read Matthew 16:18.

a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
b. Who is the Rock that the church is founded upon? Why is it important to know that the church is founded on Jesus Christ?
c. Personal Application: When church leadership seems to let you down in some way, what keeps you attached to the church body? Share your experience and thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “Jesus built His church on Peter, the rock foundation. That’s why we have unity under one leader, the Pope. It is the Catholic, or universal church that holds the keys to salvation.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Matthew 18:15-18.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
b. Why is redemptive discipline a necessary part of church organization and evangelizing?
c. Personal Application: When someone in the church is not doing the right thing, how often do we follow the three steps outlined in Scripture? Is it better to do something, or to do nothing? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “The church has power to change laws, excommunicate people from heaven, and forgive as they see fit. And God says whatever the church binds or looses, heaven agrees with the church.” How would you respond to your neighbor?

3. Have a volunteer read Matthew 7:1-5.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. Is this saying we are not to evaluate others words and behavior and to mind our own business? If not, what does it mean not to judge, since Paul said, ‘a spiritual man judges all things.’”
c. Personal Application: Why is it so easy to be critical of others, especially in the church? Why are the pastors and elders a special focus of criticism at times? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your friends states, “We should be less critical of each other and more loving and accepting. This will lead us into an ecumenical unity of the Spirit and break down the walls of doctrinal division between churches. We just need to be more loving and accepting of each other.” How would you respond to your friend?

4. Have a volunteer read Matthew 5:23,24.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. Why is it important to make amends with fellow church members who might have something against you? Is unity in the church important for personal and mental well-being?
c. Personal Application: What’s the biggest challenge you see in the church that may be preventing Christian unity? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Note : “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149.

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