What is a Healthy Church - Chapters 2-4

Chapter 2: What a Church Is ... and Isn't

Talking Points:

1. The Church as a People, Not a Place: Dever emphasizes that the church is a gathered community of believers, not a building or an institution. It’s defined by its members, not its physical structure.

2. Distinction from Other Groups: A church isn’t a social club, a business, or a charity—it’s a spiritual body united by faith in Christ, with a unique purpose to glorify God.

3. Biblical Identity: The church is described in Scripture as the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27), a family (Ephesians 2:19), and a fellowship of reconciled believers (Matthew 22:34-40).

4. Commitment Over Convenience: Dever challenges the idea of casual attendance, arguing that being part of a church requires intentional commitment to a specific group of Christians.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does thinking of the church as a people rather than a place change the way you view your involvement in it?

2. What are some common misconceptions about what a church is (e.g., a building, a service provider) that you’ve noticed in your experience? How does Dever’s definition counter these?

3. Why might someone resist committing to a local church? How does Dever’s argument about the church as a family address this resistance?

4. Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. How does the metaphor of the body challenge individualistic approaches to Christianity?

Chapter 3: What Every Church Should Aspire to Be: Healthy

Talking Points:

1. Health Over Perfection: Dever defines a healthy church as one that’s growing and living as it should, not one that’s flawless. It’s a work in progress, guided by God’s Word.

2. A Living Organism: Like a human body, a church can be healthy despite imperfections, as long as it’s moving toward maturity and reflecting God’s character.

3. Contrast with Unhealthy Churches: Unhealthy churches may prioritize numbers, programs, or personal preferences over biblical fidelity and spiritual vitality.

4. The Role of Scripture: A healthy church submits to God’s Word as its ultimate authority, shaping its practices and priorities accordingly.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does “healthy” mean to you in the context of a church? How does Dever’s definition align with or differ from your initial thoughts?

2. Can a church be healthy even if it has problems? Give an example from your experience or imagination where a church might be healthy despite imperfections.

3. Why do you think Dever compares a church to a living body? How does this analogy help us understand what health looks like practically?

4. What are some signs of an unhealthy church you’ve observed? How might a focus on Scripture, as Dever suggests, address those issues?

Chapter 4: The Ultimate How-to Guide: How to Display God's Character

Talking Points:

1. Reflecting God’s Character: The ultimate goal of a healthy church is to increasingly display God’s attributes—His holiness, love, and sovereignty—as revealed in Scripture.

2. God’s Word as the Guide: Dever argues that the Bible provides the blueprint for how a church should function, from worship to relationships, to mirror God’s nature.

3. Corporate Witness: A church’s health isn’t just for its members—it’s a testimony to the world of who God is, fulfilling its role as a light (Matthew 5:16).

4. Practical Application: This reflection happens through obedience to biblical commands, not through human innovation or cultural trends.

Discussion Questions:

1. What aspects of God’s character (e.g., love, justice, faithfulness) do you think are most important for a church to reflect? Why?

2. How can a church practically “display God’s character” in its weekly gatherings or community interactions? Share specific examples.

3. Dever says the Bible is the ultimate guide. Do you agree? What might happen if a church relies more on cultural trends or personal opinions instead?

4. Read Matthew 5:14-16. How does a healthy church act as a “light to the world”? What might dim that light?