Christian Forums

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • Are you taking the time to pray? Christ is the answer in times of need

    https://christianforums.net/threads/psalm-70-1-save-me-o-god-lord-help-me-now.108509/

  • The Gospel of Jesus Christ

    Heard of "The Gospel"? Want to know more?

    There is salvation in no other, for there is not another name under heaven having been given among men, by which it behooves us to be saved."

  • Depending upon the Holy Spirit for all you do?

    Read through the following study by Tenchi for more on this topic

    https://christianforums.net/threads/without-the-holy-spirit-we-can-do-nothing.109419/

  • Focus on the Family

    Strengthening families through biblical principles.

    Focus on the Family addresses the use of biblical principles in parenting and marriage to strengthen the family.

  • Have questions about the Christian faith?

    Come ask us what's on your mind in Questions and Answers

    https://christianforums.net/forums/questions-and-answers/

  • How are famous preachers sometimes effected by sin?

    Join Sola Scriptura for a discussion on the subject

    https://christianforums.net/threads/anointed-preaching-teaching.109331/#post-1912042

Bible Study Be The Church

WalterandDebbie

CF Ambassador
Sabbath Overseer
Saturday 12-9-23 7th. Day Of The Weekly Cycle, Kislev 23 5784, 77th. Fall Day

9th. Torah Portion After Tabernacles 2023 Va Yeshev Genesis 37:1 Genesis 40:23 Zechariah 2:10

Zechariah 4:7 John 10:22-28

Today's Devotional


Read: Hebrews 10:19–25 | Bible in a Year: Daniel 11–12; Jude 1

Download MP3
Subscribe to iTunes

Let us consider how we may spur one another on . . . not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing. Hebrews 10:24–25

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Dave and Carla spent months looking for a church home. Following health guidelines, which limited various in-person experiences, made it even more difficult. They longed for connection to a body of believers in Jesus. “It’s a hard time to find a church,” Carla emailed me. Within me rose a realization from my own longing to be reunited with my church family.

“It’s a hard time to be the church,” I responded. In that season, our church had “pivoted,” offering food in surrounding neighborhoods, creating online services, and phoning every member with support and prayer. My husband and I participated and yet wondered what else we could do to “be the church” in our changed world.

In Hebrews 10:25, the writer exhorts readers not to neglect “meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but [encourage] one another.” Perhaps due to persecution (vv. 32–34) or maybe as a result of simply growing weary (12:3), the struggling early believers needed a nudge to keep being the church.
And today, I need a nudge too. Do you? When circumstances change how we experience church, will we continue to be the church?

Let’s creatively encourage one another and build each other up as God guides us. Share our resources. Send a text of support. Gather as we’re able. Pray for one another. Let’s be the church.
How can you be a help to those today who can’t gather in a church building? How does the church fill your need to be a part of a much larger purpose?
Dear God, please show me how to be the church.

INSIGHT​

The letter to the Hebrews was written to Jewish believers in Jesus who, due to persecution and hardship, were in danger of drifting from the faith. Therefore, it makes sense that the author would remind them of the confidence they could have in Christ, for it provides an antidote for their doubts. The New Bible Commentary says, “The word translated confidence is found in four important contexts in Hebrews (3:6; 4:16; 10:19; 10:35).

Fundamentally, it’s a confidence of free and open access to God . . . based on the unique sacrifice of Jesus (by the blood of Jesus).” As a result, the believers were encouraged to embrace the confidence that they were truly part of God’s “house” (3:6), to enter His presence confidently in prayer (4:15-16), to enter God’s presence in worship (10:19), and to maintain that confidence in living out their lives (10:35).

By Elisa Morgan |December 9th, 2023

Love, Walter And Debbie
 
Last edited:
A purely practical note.
Join the taxi rota giving lifts to and from church for those without cars or unable to drive.
To be part of the home visitation team who regularly call on the house bound, in hospital, or in care homes etc etc

What about hospitality for those on their own, either as part of Sunday or as part of a more general weekday hospitality.

My church used to be ' the church ' that local uni christian students attended and we organised an ' open home ' on a Sunday to ensure that they had at least one decent meal and Christian fellowship in the week. Fashions change and they attend another church now.
But what about the unpopular, the behaviour challenging or ' difficult ' church member how do we support, love and care for them?
 
Back
Top