God’s Plan For The Church
The Bible states that the church is God’s plan for gathering believers together and equipping them to obey His Word and fulfill His will in their lives (Ephesians 4:11-12). Going to church regularly and engaging in meaningful fellowship with other believers is a key part of God’s plan for the church. The Bible speaks directly to the importance of communal worship and fellowship when it states that two or three gather together in the Name of Jesus. This is a command, and Jesus intended for us to obey it (Matthew 18:20).
The Bible also speaks to the gathering of believers in the local church where it states that we should not ignore our meeting together (Hebrews 10:25). Gathering together in the presence of God and fellow believers is essential to developing spiritual maturity and is also a great way to learn from one another. The Bible says in Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Going to church will help to sharpen us by exposing us to other believers who can give us godly wisdom.
Apart from fellowship, the Bible makes it clear that we should both give and receive teaching in the church (Acts 20:7-12). Acts 2:42-47 provides a perfect example of early church life, highlighting how the people devoted themselves to learning, fellowship and worship. The reason why the church still exists today is because it is the best place to go if you’re looking to increase your knowledge and love of God’s Word. It is a great place to gain insight into what God has done for us, and to deepen our understanding of the principles and precepts of Christianity.
Finally, the Bible is clear that going to church regularly is a part of God’s plan for us and that it is an integral part of developing our spiritual lives (Hebrews 10:19-25). We should heed the army of God’s messenger that is being sent out to meet His people in the church (2 Corinthians 5:20). Going to church also helps to project our Christian testimony to the world, making it easier for us to be a living witness of God’s love and grace (Ephesians 5:15-16). By gathering with other believers, we can learn, fellowship, worship and make our Christian testimony known to the world.
Encouragement to Go To Church
God encourages us to go to church and He has provided us with very strong reasons to do so, as detailed in the previous section. We should use these reasons as motivation when choosing to go, or not go, to church. It is important to remember that God is the ultimate authority and it is His will that we should follow when it comes to setting our priorities. When making decisions about how to prioritize our time and attention, we should take into consideration to what extent those decisions honor God.
God also encourages us to go to church because He wants us to experience joy, peace, and true fellowship with other believers. Spending time with other believers has the power to transform our perspective and deepen our relationship with God. Going to church can also be a reminder of God’s promises, and a place to seek comfort during difficult times. God knows how vital this is for us and because of that, He encourages us to go.
When we choose to go to church, we demonstrate our faith and commitment to God’s plan for us, and our desire to please Him. It is an act of submission and obedience to Him, and it is an outward expression of our own internal commitment to Him. By consistently going to church, we show Him that we want to be part of His divine plan for our lives and that we want to become more intimate with Him.
Finally, when we go to church, we are making ourselves available to receive the blessings of communion and prayer that can be found in a Christian setting. In the church, we can focus on the power of prayer and learn to better pray in a communal setting. We are also nourished with the blessings of fellowship with other believers and the reminder of never feeling alone in our faith.
Cautionary Advice
While going to church is encouraged in the Bible, it is, of course, possible to spend too much time away from home, worshiping in the church and neglecting personal responsibilities. This means that it is important to carefully assess how much time we are spending in church and when to draw the line. Neglecting responsibilities, such as looking after family members, is something that God does not approve of and should be avoided as much as possible (1 Timothy 5:8).
The Bible also teaches that we should use our discernment when attending church. We should assess the atmosphere of the church and how it aligns with our personal beliefs. It is also important to approach churches with discernment and be aware of what we are hearing and how it is affecting us. We should be aware of the messages that the church is sending out and ensure that these messages align with what God is teaching us in the Bible.
Importantly, while it is important to attend church, it is equally important to spend time alone with God, reading His Word, studying, praying and meditating on His promises (Romans 12:1-2). It is also important to maintain proper rest and rejuvenation so that we have the strength and wisdom to remain a faithful servant of God.
The Power of Technology
In today’s world, technology is making it easier than ever to stay connected to the Church, even when one cannot actually attend a physical service. Due to current financial or legal constraints, or because of being in a remote location or unable to move or travel, attending a physical service may not be possible for some. However, even when faced with such obstacles, God still desires for us to take part in services and partake in the worshipping of Him with fellow believers.
Thankfully, technologies now allow us to access sermons and services from renowned preachers, ministries and churches. Online services and ministry websites, social media apps and streaming services all provide platforms to access live services from afar or watch pre-recorded recordings. Through the power of technology, anyone is able to stay connected to the church, regardless of its location.
Additionally, most churches now host online ‘small groups’ which provide fellowship with an intimate group of individuals. These small groups are great as a newcomer can participate without having to actually be in the same room as others. Moreover, if a particular member cannot physically attend church, then a small group can still meet without them.
Finally, the power of modern technology can be used to show testimony to those that cannot outside of our own local area. This can be done by attending livestream services available from many of the larger churches and ministries, or even hosting our own live-streams from our own devices or computers. By connecting with others this way, we are continuing to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to many, no matter where we are located.
The Takeaway
The Bible encourages us to go to church, particularly to promote fellowship with other believers. Going to church can help us to develop our spiritual maturity, increase our knowledge of God’s Word and make our Christian testimony known to the world. We can use this encouragement to make wise decisions about how we prioritize our time and attention, always striving to honor God.
However, while it is important to go to church, it is also important to never forget that we must find balance in our life. We should never neglect responsibilities and should use our discernment when bringing our family to church. It is also extremely important that we spend time alone with God, so that we can stay connected to Him even when we are not in a church setting.
Finally, technology makes it easier than ever to stay connected to the church, even when one cannot actually attend a physical service. Through the power of modern technology, anyone is able to stay connected to the church and spread the good news of Jesus Christ, no matter where they are located.
