The S.O.S. Lesson Materials
 Orientation to Church Life

THE TRUE CHURCH CONCEPT

  1. Origin of the Church
    1. Jesus is the builder - Matt.16:18
    2. He died for it, and bought it - 1 Peter 1:18,19
    3. Christ is the cornerstone (Eph 2:20) and the Head (EPH 4:15)
    Summary: The church is a divine idea, its origin is God!

  2. Meaning of the Word Church
    1. Greek word `ekklesia' - means “the called out and called unto”. In the NT it refers to people who are called out from sin and called unto God
    2. English word derived from root word which means `that which belongs to God'.

  3. Pictures of the Church - These pictures of the church show how we relate to God as our Father, and to oneanother as brothers and sisters, fellow-members in one body!

    4. PICTURE GOD'S PURPOSE OUR RELATION WITH GOD OUR RELATION WITH ONE ANOTHER
    Assembly EPH 1:22 God desires for a people Come out from our bondage and come to meet God We must accept one another
    Workmanship EPH 2:10 Shows God's wisdom Be yielded to God Recognize that God is at work in one another.
    Family EPH 2:19 God's Fatherhood Submit to His discipline & love Love & Loyalty to one another
    Body EPH 1:23 We are to represent God on earth Obey Him as our head Dependence on one another, 1CO 12:21-26

    Supplementary Material: `Fellowship" Portion the Series `Now That I Am A Christian'

    INTRODUCING PRAISE & WORSHIP The first thing a new believer must learn is how to worship his Redeemer. Example: Israelites encamped at the foot of Mt. Sinai after deliverance from Egypt to learn how to worship God.

    1. Definitions
      Praise - magnifying what God has done!
      Worship - celebrating His worthiness as God, His Person!

    2. Why praise and worship
      1. Because He is worthy!
      2. Because it is commanded Exodus 19
      3. It is the characteristic of eternity - REV 4 & 5.
      4. It releases God's blessings & authority - PSA 22:3; PSA 67:5-7

    3. Expressing Praise & Worship to God
      1. Clapping of hands - PSA. 47:1
      2. Shouting - PSA 95:1
      3. Singing - PSA 95:1
      4. Bowing - PSA 95:6
      5. Lifting hands - PSA 134:2; 141:2
      6. Kneeling - PSA 95:6
      7. Dancing - PSA 149:3
      8. With Musical Instrument - PSA 150:3-5
      9. Leaping - ACT 3:8

    4. Worship God in Spirit and in Truth, John 4:23
      1. In spirit - Be born of the Spirit - JOH 3:5-8; Be led by the Spirit - ROM 8:14
      2. In Truth - according to the Word of God - JOH 17:17