3. In an independent culture,
where the weekends are viewed as special times for family and to be reserved for recreation or relaxation by others;
the objection comes up regularly:
“Why do I need to go to church?”

5. Other Common Sayings… “I don’t have to go to church to be saved.”
“I can worship God anywhere.”
“As long as I believe in God and
am a good person…I don’t need church.”
“The church is full of hypocrites.”

6. Ephesians
1: 22-23
Ephesians
5: 22-32
Ephesians
2: 19-21

7. Does a soldier join the military? Does a student attend classes?
Does a football player have a team?
Does a scientist share their findings?
Does a bee participate in the hive?

8. “If the church is central to God’s purpose
as seen in both history and the Gospel,
it must surely also be central to our lives. How can we take lightly what God takes so seriously?”
- John Stott

10. Hebrews 10: 24-25 24 “And let us consider how we may
spur one another on toward love and
good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all
the more as you see the Day approaching.”

11. “ ‘I don’t need a church’ is nonsense.
You can’t love Christ and not His Body,
The King and not His Kingdom,
The Father and not His Family.”
- Rick Warren

12. Goals of the Church 1. To exalt God in worship.
2. To evangelize, bringing people to a saving knowledge of Christ.
3. To edify, taking new Christians and helping them mature in their faith as disciples.
4. To extend, reaching out into the community to meet physical, spiritual, relational, and emotional needs.

13. 6 “Key Attitudes” for Church Members
* I Will Be a Unifying Church Member
* I Will Not Let the Church Be About
My Preferences and Desires
* I Will Pray for My Church Leaders
* I Will Lead My Family to Be Healthy Church
Members
* I Will Be a Functioning Member
* I Will Treasure Church Membership as a Gift

14. - Joshua Harris, “Why Church Matters”
““The Church Is God’s Best Place. The church community is where we learn to love God
and others; where we are strengthened and transformed by truth from The Word; where we're taught to pray, to worship, and to serve; where we can be most certain that we're investing our time and abilities for eternity.
The church is earth's single best place…God's specially designed place…to start over, to grow and to change for the glory of God.”
- Joshua Harris, “Why Church Matters”