Session 26

Does church even need me?

From 1 Corinthians: A 35-Day Devotional

Every Sunday, you have a choice. You can go to church, or you can take advantage of the last day of the weekend by sleeping in and relaxing. After all, you can watch any sermon you want online or on TV without having to get out of the house, right?

Thanks to technology, we have access to great preaching and teaching at any moment. But if we allow the benefits of modern life to keep us from getting involved in the church, we’re missing out on a vital part of the Christian life.

The church isn’t just about getting something from God, but about working with God.

In 1 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul uses the metaphor of the body and its parts to describe the church and our roles in it. Each body part has a specific purpose that would be missed if it were gone: “If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?” (1 Corinthians 12:17)

The best place to discover our gifts is by serving in the church.

As Christians, God gives each of us spiritual gifts to build up the church. Not everyone is hardwired to be teachers or singers. But we are all made for something. There is no such thing as extra or unnecessary when it comes to the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:21-23).

The best place to discover our gifts is by serving in the church. There’s no better way to understand how necessary and relevant the church is than to jump in and get involved in one. Seeing the power of Jesus at work changes us, and as every member of the body finds what he or she was made to do, the kingdom of God grows.

Reflect:

• Have you ever wondered if it’s necessary to go to church when you can tune into church? Why is it important to get involved?
• Do you know what your spiritual gifts are? If you have an idea of your spiritual gifts, how can you best use them in the church and in everyday life?