Building a Healthy Church

Aug 12

Key Bible Verses

1 Corinthians 3:9-17
1 John 4:16, 19
Matthew 16:15-16, 18; 20:26, 28; 28:19-20
John 13:34-35; 14:15; 15:13
1 Peter 2:4-5
Ephesians 4:1-3; 5:25, 29-30
2 Timothy 4:2-5

Digging Deeper

God’s and our desire is for the church to be vibrant and healthy. A healthy church is one that is united in love, steadfast in faith, and committed to the mission of spreading the Gospel. Keeping the church healthy takes strength, integrity, and courage and requires believers to live with zeal and contagious enthusiasm. As challenges and obstacles threaten the church's health, the church must not lose sight of God’s goodness and faithfulness as it relies on Him for mercy and guidance to be wise and make the most of every opportunity and situation that comes its way.

One of the most important responsibilities God gives believers who are part of a healthy church is to love those who are lost and in need of God’s love and redemption. God’s mercy and grace are abundantly available, and God desires for all to be saved and led toward God’s light and truth.

It is a profound joy and privilege for believers to be used by God as an instrument of His love, reaching out to the lost and broken. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are endowed with love, compassion, wisdom, and boldness to share the love of Jesus with those God places in our paths. It is a thrilling journey as God continues to reach into the darkest corners of this world with his compassion and love. Our goal is never to lose sight of the church's purpose and to be fervent in pursuing God’s plan for the world He created.

As we remain faithful and on mission with God reaching our neighbors and nations with the Gospel, the church will not only stay healthy but also serve as a radiant reflection of God, always bringing glory and honor to His name. This is a role we should all be proud to play, and it requires perseverance, passion, and commitment.

What Not To Miss

A Healthy Church Begins with People Loving Jesus (1 Corinthians 3:9-11)

We must be people who love Jesus with all our hearts, our minds, our souls, and every ounce of strength we have.
Jesus is what the church is built upon.
Jesus is the rock on which we build our lives and the Rock on which we must build the church.

Key Questions

Do we love Jesus? Do we have a relationship with Him?
Have we confessed Him as Lord & Savior?
Does that relationship change us daily?

A Healthy Church Grows by Loving Each Other (1 Corinthians 3:12-14)

Once we have a love for Jesus, what must we build upon that?

Love God
Love Others

What is Love?

Love is commitment.
Love is growing in knowledge & devotion.
Love is self-sacrificing.

To be a healthy church, we all have to be self-sacrificing.

It’s not about us; it’s about Jesus.
We are called to be servants, serving Jesus because we love Him.
We are called to love each other by serving each other.
Each of us has a role to play.
We are to live a life worthy of our calling.

How do we love each other?

Assume the best about others.
Look for ways to love/serve those around us.
If someone hurts us, let it go. (Forgive)
Go to the person you have a disagreement with. (No gossip)
Be generous. (With money, time, and resources and with whatever God puts on our hearts.)
We are to be humble, gentle, and patient; bear with others in love; and preserve unity.

A Healthy Church Thrives by Loving the Lost (Corinthians 3:15-17)

A church that is thriving in its God-given mission is more concerned about those who are outside these walls than what takes place inside them.

We are to join the Lord in what He is already doing.

We are called to love the lost enough to sound the alarm and share the good news.
How do we love the Lost?

Care to share.
Commit to stick.
Call to all.

Life Application

List what makes a healthy, loving church. Think about ways you love Jesus, one another, and those who do not yet know Jesus. How might you apply love, unity, and faith to be a source of strength and support for someone who enters our church’s doors? Be on the lookout for someone God places in your path who might be broken, lost, or hurting, and see if you can help them feel loved by God, the church, and you.

Small Group Discussion Questions

What healthy habits do you have?
Why does the church need to be healthy?
How is our love of Jesus an indicator of a healthy church?
How does a healthy church grow as we love each other?
How does reaching our neighbors and nations with the message of the Gospel make a healthy church?

Daily Devotional Bible Passages

Day 1: Love-1 Corinthians 16:14; Colossians 3:14; John 15:13
Day 2: Truth-John 14:6; 1 John 3:18; 3 John 1:4
Day 3: Growth-Hebrews 5:12:14; Colossians 2:6-7; 2 Peter 3:18
Day 4: Community-1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 John 1:7; Galatians 6:2
Day 5: Evangelism-Romans 10:14; 1 Peter 3:15; 2 Timothy 4:2

Prayer

Lord, I come before You, thanking You for the gift of Your church. I pray for a healthy church guided by the Holy Spirit as we demonstrate love in all that is done. Let me seek Your will and follow Your ways in love, unity, and fellowship. Help me to love others as You have loved me and to forgive and support others in loving ways. Let me be a shining example of Your love and grace, drawing others to become believers and disciples of Jesus and be part of Your mighty work with neighbors and nations through Your church.