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Session Overview
OBJECTIVE FOR THIS SESSION
Acquaint the group with their place as potential members of your church.
SESSION OUTLINE
Going Deeper
Participant guides (one per person); leader’s guide; pens or pencils; Post-it notes; dry-
erase board or chart paper and markers; PowerPoint presentation; appendix resources
(optional); members from the church to give brief testimonies of ministry experiences
(optional)
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Gather
Beginning Points
■ Welcome participants back to Mission Friends: The Meaning of Membership. 4.1-4.2
Explain: 4. 3 The objectives for this session are to:
t Acquaint the group with their place as potential members of [insert your church
name]
■ Pray.
Discussion Starter
■ Choose from one of the following options:
t Option 1: Hand out Post-it notes. Have participants list the people and organizations
they are committed to. Either in pairs or as a group have participants share the
reasons behind their commitments.
t Option 2: Have participants look in their wallets or purses and pull out every card
that represents membership in something. Examples may be a library card, AARP,
frequent flier program, and so on. Do some fun “contests,” for example: who has
the oldest “member since” recognition, who has the longest expired card still in their
possession and so on.
If you are a follower of Christ, one spiritual reality the Bible teaches is that you are already
a member of God’s universal Church. You are joined right now to every other believer
here and around the world by the common relationship you share with Christ. When we
join God’s family, we are organically joined to all other brothers and sisters who have also
experienced the grace of Christ. We become brothers and sisters in Christ regardless of
location, culture, class, or gender. So why bother joining a congregation? What would you
say are good reasons to join a local church? (Allow for answers)
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Instruct and Interact
Reasons for Joining the Church 4. 5
Explain: You have already identified many reasons for joining a local church. These reasons
tend to fall under one of the following that God’s word gives for joining the church.
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GROWING AS CHRIST’S DISCIPLES
Explain: 4. 7 In the Evangelical Covenant Church we are committed to help one another
grow deeper in Christ. To remind ourselves of this ongoing commitment we have developed
the acronym G.R.O.W. which reminds us about how we grow as disciples in Christ as well as
our commitment to grow as disciples of Christ over a lifetime.
t G—God’s Word. As a Biblical people, we will help you understand the Bible so you
can apply it as the frame of reference for all of life.
t R—Relationships. As a Connectional people, we will help you find your way into
meaningful, supportive relationships to encourage you for the journey.
t O—Obedient Living. As a Missional people, we will help you discover God’s purposes
for life and your unique strengths for meaningful, significant service to God in the
world.
t W—Worship. As a Devotional people, we will help you cultivate a deeper spirituality
not just when we are together, but also through being attentive to God throughout
the course of life.
Explain: 4. 9 As was mentioned before, if you are a follower of Christ, one spiritual reality
the Bible teaches is that you are already a member of God’s universal Church, or God’s
Kingdom. Jesus often speaks of the kingdom; in fact he included it in the Lord’s prayer.
Jesus said it’s time for a new kingdom to come in which God’s will is done on earth as it is in
heaven.
This kingdom is not like any earthly kingdom. It is not established by force. It does not
have physical boundaries. It will not fall and crumble, but will last forever. As Jesus first
ministered with his disciples in Galilee, he demonstrated what God’s kingdom is all about.
He revealed a kingdom centered in a loving relationship with God and each other.
Those who have accepted Jesus live in two worlds, the kingdom of God and this world.
Believers are commanded to be “in the world,” so as to bring the good news of Jesus to
others, but not to be “of the world,” caving into the evil that exists in the world. Believers
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are disciples and ambassadors of God’s kingdom. They are called to be like Jesus, to spend
time with God in prayer, and to help bring God’s kingdom to the world by battling hate with
love, apathy with care and concern, injustice with justice, and despair with the hope in Jesus.
Believers are called to pray for their enemies, care for the sick, reach out to those in need,
and be a friend to the outcast. Jesus invites us to live in this kingdom.
Explain: We become a part of God’s Kingdom and a growing disciple of Christ for the
purpose of fulfilling God’s will in the world. By God’s grace we come to faith and are
granted the amazing opportunity to fulfill God’s will. As a church member you will join with
all other members in seeking to fulfill the will of God.
Together we…
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Explain: Growing as Christ’s disciples, and helping to fulfill God’s will in the world is
something we are all growing into, from the youngest to the oldest person in the church. It
takes a lifetime of growing and we are committed to help one another in this journey.
Integrate
Group Reflection and Discussion 4.12
■ Ask the following discussion questions:
t There are many ways that we seek to fulfill God’s will. Which are you most drawn
to?
t What are your thoughts about this lifelong journey and the ways in which we
minister together to fulfill God’s will?
t Does today’s session raise any particular questions, concerns, fears, or other feelings
for you?
■ Outline the membership process from this point on. Points to cover would be membership
application, application review process, transfer of membership from other congregations,
congregational recognition, and so on.
Explain: You may pray about this and decide that now is not the time to formally join as a
member. That is perfectly okay. We want you to know about this church and make the best
decision as God leads you. While you may not be able to formally vote in the church, you
will have opportunity to belong and be involved in the life of this church. Your voice matters
as we move into the future, and we look forward to having you join us with your unique
gifts and talents.
Closing
■ Optional: Have a current member of the church give a brief talk (under five minutes) on
what the church has meant to him or her. Pray for that member.
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■ Ask the following discussion questions: 4.16
t What are your closing thoughts as we end this discussion?
t Would any of you share about what [insert your church name] has meant to you so
far and what you hope to experience in the future?
■ Optional: Create a video using the stories and experiences of the class to introduce new
members to the congregation when they are brought to membership. Include the reflections
on the class from those who are choosing not to become members at this time, and include
the faith testimonies of those who are becoming members.
■ Close the class by offering a final thank you for their participation, and express your hope for
a long and fruitful relationship together. Pray for God’s direction in their lives.
■ Remind your group of the additional questions which are available in the “Going Deeper”
section at the end of this session for those who want to reflect further on their role in the
working out of their mission as a member.
Going Deeper
Where is it Written? What do the Scriptures say?
During this session, we’ve looked at several reasons that a person might choose to become a
member of a particular church. Take some time through the week to dig into Scripture and
explore some of these reasons. What are you sensing God might be impressing upon you through
these Scripture verses?
1) A Christ-Honoring Reason
Mark 10:45
Luke 24:46-47
Hebrews 10:25
Colossians 2:19
2) A Missional Reason
Matthew 28:18-20
Romans 12:5-8
Acts 11:19-26
Ephesians 2:10
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Ephesians 4:15-16
4) A Biblical Reason
Acts 2:44-47
Ephesians 4:11-13
Ephesians 5:19-20
5) A Cultural Reason
1 Corinthians 12:22-26
Galatians 6:2
Philippians 1:29-30
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