2. The Mission of the Church
The New Testament
and the Church
Chapter 22
The Mission of the Church

3. Chapter Summary The Mission of the Church
This chapter will cover how the Church is a community. We will study three important images of the Church: People of God, Body of Christ, and Temple of the Holy Spirit.
We will also explore the meaning of the four Marks of the Church: One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic.
Like Christ, the Church is both human and divine.

4. Introduction (Handbook, pages 232–233)
The Church is a unique assembly of people who come together in response to God’s call.
The Church is a unique community with a purpose unlike any other.
The Church calls together people with many gifts to achieve its mission.
With the help of the Holy Spirit, God’s people can do great things, bringing the Good News of salvation to all people.
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5. Introduction (Handbook, pages 232–233)
Activity
Your group will be assigned a Bible passage. Summarize the story your group reads, and respond to the following questions.
What unique challenges did each person face in responding to God’s call?
What did God see in them?
What does this say about what God sees in us when he calls us?
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6. “Images of Church” (Handbook, pages 234–237)
The Church can be identified as the People of God, the Body of Christ, and the Temple of the Holy Spirit.
Peter reminds
Christians that they are
the People of God.
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7. “Images of Church” (Handbook, pages 234–237)
Paul calls the Church the “Body of Christ,” emphasizing the parts of the body and their roles.
Paul reminds Christians that
they are God’s temple, and that
God’s Spirit lives in them.
Discussion Questions
How do the images of the Church help you understand the Church more fully? Which image inspires you the most?
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8. “The Marks of the Church” (Handbook, pages 237–241)
The Church is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic.
The Church is One, professing one Lord, one faith, one Baptism, one Body, and one Spirit who unites all the members of the Church. The Church is Holy, blessed with the presence and love of God.
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9. “The Marks of the Church” (Handbook, pages 237–241)
The Church is Catholic, proclaiming the fullness of faith in a truly global way.
The Church is Apostolic, spreading the Good News around the world, through the ministry of the Apostles’ successors, the bishops.
Discussion Question
What gifts do you and others bring to your parish to help spread the Good News of Jesus Christ?
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10. “The Church Is Human and Divine” (Handbook, page 242)
The Church is both human
and divine.
Through the action of the
Holy Spirit, the human
aspects of the Church put us
in touch with its divine
aspects.
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11. “The Church Is Human and Divine” (Handbook, page 242)
The Holy Spirit guides
the Church, despite its
human sins and failures.
Our mission as
Christians helps us share
in the divine life of the Trinity.
Activity
Name your favorite superheroes.
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