Read 1 Timothy 3:14-16.

14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:

He was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated by the Spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.

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Discuss the eighth core, essential belief of Citizens Church: the Doctrine of the Church.

We believe that the Church consists of all who have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ for their eternal salvation and is sent into the world to shine forth the glory of God.

The ultimate mission of the Church is to bring glory to God by making disciples (Matt. 28:18-20). The Church is called to make disciples through worship, prayer, teaching of the Word, observance of the ordinances, fellowship, the exercise of our gifts and talents and the proclamation of the gospel both in our community and throughout the world.

1. At what age did you first go to church? What do you remember about that first service?
2. What do Paul’s three metaphors teach us about God’s mission for the Church?
3. What application(s) can we take from the fact that believers are the assembly of the living God?
4. Why is church membership necessary for Christians?
5. How can our church remain faithful in cultures that either hate truth or deny truth?
6. In what specific ways is God challenging you to stand firm as a pillar and buttress of the truth?

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Rest in God’s promises. God, by His Word and Spirit, creates the Church, calling sinful humanity into the fellowship of Christ’s body (1 Cor. 12:12-31). The Church is made up of those who have become genuine followers of Jesus Christ. The Church exists to worship and glorify God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The ministry of the Church is an extension of the ministry of Jesus Christ in the power of the Spirit.

Close in prayer, giving thanks to God for his body called Citizens Church!