Before We Begin It has been an honor and an extreme privilege to serve you as Pastor here at 3Ps Christian Ministries. I hope that as we journey into this new series, we begin to understand the various practices and ordinances of the ministry. We know that we are a diverse group of believers which is a microcosm of what Heaven will look like when we get there. In this study, we will cover the purpose of the church, talk on the various expressions of worship, spiritual gifts as well as how to increase our effectiveness within the ministry. I pray you and your family will join us for the next six weeks as we endeavor to learn more about God and grow closer in our relationship as well as in ministry. Pastor Kermit & Sandy Perry Table of Contents Lesson 1: The Purpose of the Church Matthew 16:13-20... 1 Lesson 2: The Support of the Church Malachi 3:10; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Acts 4:32-35... 3 Lesson 3: Disciplines & Ordinances within the Church Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Proverbs 1:1-4... 5 Lesson 4: The Growth of the Church Acts 2:36-47... 7 Lesson 5: The Effectiveness of the Church 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 10-17... 9 Lesson 6: Spiritual Gifts within the Church 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; 1 Peter 4:10-11 NLT... 11 Reference Material... 13 CHURCH STUFF 3PS CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES
Lesson 1: The Purpose of the Church Matthew 16:13-20 For a church to be effective it must have purpose! Do You Know Your Purpose? Discussion Activity Using the index cards provided answer the following questions: What do you know to be your purpose in life? How or when did you arrive to that conclusion? Bonus Question: Does your purpose coincide with the purpose of your church? 13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" 14 So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Question: Who do men say Jesus is today? Answer: 16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. Question: Who do you say Jesus is today? Answer:
18 "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Question: On what rock was Jesus to build His church? Answer: Question: Where did binding and loosing originate? From Peter or from Heaven? 19 "And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." 20 Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ. Memory Verse And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. Mark 6:34 NKJV
Lesson 2: The Support of the Church Malachi 3:10; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Acts 4:32-35 It takes God-given resources to support the church. Let s Talk: Have you ever supported a worthy cause? Why? Malachi 3:10 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this," Says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. What was the purpose of tithing? Was tithing a part of the law? How can the principles of tithing be applied today? Your Understanding: Your Understanding: Your Understanding: God s Word: God s Word: God s Word: 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
What would you say is the purpose of giving in the House of the Lord? Has God set a limit on how much to give? Can tithing and the above scripture coexist? Your Understanding: Your Understanding: Your Understanding: God s Word: God s Word: God s Word: Acts 4:32-35 32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Question: Are there principles in this text that apply to us today? 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. Memory Verse Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38 NKJV
Lesson 3: Disciplines & Ordinances within the Church Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Proverbs 1:1-4 Let s Talk: In your home, were there rules to live by while growing up? Share a few here: Matthew 28:19-20 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Question: How can every member in the church be a part of this commission? 20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. The Lord s Supper: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me."
25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. Question: Should communion be followed as a tradition or a time of celebration? Why? Proverbs 1:1-4 1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: 2 To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding, 3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgment, and equity; 4 To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion-- Practical Points Within The Church Respect for one another. Everything we do should be done decently and in order. Give reverence to the reading of God s Word by standing. Refrain from walking and talking as much as possible during Prayer and Scripture Reading. When service is starting let us give attention and prepare ourselves for worship. (Silence your cellphones, inside voices, etc )
Lesson 4: The Growth of the Church Acts 2:36-47 Where there is life there is growth! Let s Talk: What are things that you like to see grow? Acts 2:36-47 36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" 38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 "For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." What should be the top priority of any fellowship? 40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation." 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
How can we as individuals be proactive in the growth of our church? What are somethings that will hinder our church growth? 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Questions: How important is fellowship outside the bounds of the church? Memory Verse Then the master said to the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. Luke 14:23 NKJV Do you feel comfortable inviting family, friends, and coworkers to your church? Why or why not?
Lesson 5: The Effectiveness of the Church 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 10-17 Everything that we do should bring glory to God! 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 10-17 1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! Are these the times that we are living in? Yes or No 2 Timothy 3:10-17 10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra--what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. Can we as believers avoid persecution? What does an effective church look like in 2018?
14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Question: What is the key ingredient to a healthy, well balanced effective church? Memory Verse I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. Philemon 1:4-6 NKJV
Lesson 6: Spiritual Gifts within the Church 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; 1 Peter 4:10-11 NLT Let s Talk: What is the best part of receiving a gift? 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 1 Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit gives us. I don't want you to misunderstand this. 2 You know that when you were still pagans, you were led astray and swept along in worshiping speechless idols. 3 So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. 5 There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. Question: How important is the Holy Spirit in your Life? 6 God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. 7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. Where does spiritual gifts come from?
8 To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. 9 The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. 10 He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. 11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. Question: What is the purpose of spiritual gifts? 1 Peter 4:10-11 10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. How do the following differ between each other? Talents Natural Abilities Spiritual Gifts Memory Verse For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. Romans 1:11-12 NKJV
Reference Material https://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-the-church.html https://www.gotquestions.org/purpose-church.html https://www.gotquestions.org/when-did-the-church-begin.html