Multiply Part II-Living as the Church-1. Life in the Church

0–3 minutes – Opening & framing the night

Tonight we are talking about life in the church.

Church is not about joining an organization, but being a part of a living organism. It’s about whether we are actually living as the body Christ designed.

Opening Scripture (read aloud)

Hebrews 10:24–25 “24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Ask someone to read it aloud.

Brief transition

Ill. Weber Grill

The Christian life was never designed to be lived in isolation. Discipleship and the local church are inseparable.

Slide 1

“Frightened of mutual interdependence, submission, and accountability.”

3–9 minutes

Teach briefly first

Read:

1 Corinthians 12:12–27 “12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.”

Then say:

Notice how Paul never describes Christians as independent contractors. He calls us a body — which automatically means dependence.

Key biblical emphasis

Interdependence – 1 Corinthians 12:21 “21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.””

“The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you.’”

Submission – Ephesians 5:21 “21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.”

Accountability & care – Galatians 6:1–2 “1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Pause for discussion (2–3 minutes)

Ask:

Why do you think accountability feels threatening in our culture?

What is the difference between biblical accountability and spiritual control?

Biblical accountability is help that aims at holiness; spiritual control is power that aims at dominance. Same vocabulary sometimes—“I’m just holding you accountable”—but totally different spirit and fruit.

What biblical accountability looks like

Voluntary and relational: it’s “invite someone close,” not “submit to my every opinion.” (James 5:16; Proverbs 27:17)

James 5:16 “16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

Proverbs 27:17 “17 As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.”

Word-centered, not preference-centered: the standard is Scripture, not a leader’s tastes or traditions. (2 Timothy 3:16–17; Acts 17:11)

2 Timothy 3:16–17 “16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Acts 17:11 “11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”

Mutual and humble: there’s a give-and-take; even leaders live under correction. (Galatians 6:1; 1 Peter 5:5)

Galatians 6:1 “1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”

1 Peter 5:5 “5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.””

Aimed at restoration: the goal is repentance, healing, and growth—never humiliation. (Matthew 18:15–17; 2 Corinthians 2:6–8)

Matthew 18:15–17 “15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.”

2 Corinthians 2:6–8 “6 This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man, 7 so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow. 8 Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him.”

Respects conscience and maturity: it distinguishes between clear sin and “disputable matters.” (Romans 14:1–4; 1 Corinthians 8)

Romans 14:1–4 “1 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.”

1 Corinthians 8 “1 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. 2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him. 4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live. 7 However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse. 9 But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? 11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.”

Appropriate boundaries: it doesn’t demand access to everything, all the time; it doesn’t replace counselors, doctors, or wise help when needed. (Proverbs 11:14)

Proverbs 11:14 “14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.”

What spiritual control looks like

Coercive and fear-based: “If you disagree, you’re rebellious,” or “God told me…” used as a trump card. (3 John 9–10; Ezekiel 34:4)

Leader-centered: loyalty to a person/inner circle becomes the measure of spirituality. (1 Corinthians 1:12–13)

Intrusive: demands undue access—finances, relationships, decisions—beyond biblical authority. (1 Thessalonians 4:11; 1 Peter 4:15 warns against being a “busybody”)

Punitive rather than restorative: uses shame, threats, or public pressure to enforce compliance. (2 Corinthians 1:24)

Isolating: discourages outside counsel, questions, or healthy accountability elsewhere. (Proverbs 18:1; Proverbs 15:22)

No real appeal process: correction is one-way; leadership is never questioned. (Acts 15 shows open reasoning; 1 Timothy 5:19–20 shows measured process)

A simple “quick test” you can give your group

Ask these four questions:

Is this anchored in clear Scripture or someone’s preference? (2 Tim. 3:16–17)

Is the person free to say no and still be loved? (2 Cor. 1:24)

Does this produce repentance and peace—or fear and secrecy? (2 Cor. 7:10; James 3:17)

Is the goal restoration—or control of behavior/image? (Gal. 6:1)

Accountability says, “Let me walk with you toward Jesus.” Control says, “Let me manage you for my comfort.”

Pastoral clarity moment

The Bible never teaches blind submission to people. It teaches loving submission to Christ that expresses itself in community.

Slide 2

The four common reasons people avoid commitment

Indecisive church “hopping”

Hurt by people in church

Don’t see it as important

Frustration with accountability / interdependence

9–18 minutes

Start with empathy

Say:

Every one of these is understandable. But not every understandable reason is a biblical reason.

1. Church hopping – root issue: commitment

Scripture:

Hebrews 13:17 “17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”

Ask:

How can pastors or leaders watch over souls if people refuse to belong anywhere?

2. Hurt by people – root issue: pain

Scripture:

Colossians 3:12–13 “12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”

Pause and say gently:

If you stay long enough in any church—including this one—you will eventually be hurt.

Discussion prompt

What is harder: forgiving inside the church or walking away from it?

3. “It’s not important” – root issue: theology

Scripture:

Ephesians 1:22–23 “22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”

Teach this clearly:

You cannot say you love the Head and ignore His body.

4. Fear of accountability – root issue: control

Scripture:

Proverbs 27:17 “17 As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.”

Short question:

Who has the biblical right to speak into your life?

Pause – open floor (2 minutes)

Slide 3

“Are you actively serving in a local church?”

18–24 minutes

Read:

1 Peter 4:10–11 “10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Then:

Notice Peter does not say, “Some of you were gifted.” He says, “As each has received a gift…”

Also read:

Ephesians 4:11–16 “11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”

Short teaching emphasis

The church does not grow by spectators. It grows by servants.

Discussion

Ask:

What keeps people from serving — fear, time, confidence, or past experience?

Then ask:

Where do you think God may be nudging you to serve now?

Let 2–3 people respond.

Slide 4

Discipling inside the church provides support

24–32 minutes

Read:

Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 “9 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

Then say:

One of the dangers of one-on-one discipleship outside the church is that you only bring your own blind spots.

Now read:

Romans 12:4–8 “4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”

Facilitated reflection (important for your group)

Ask them:

Where has God uniquely shaped you through your life story?

grief?

marriage struggles?

parenting?

addiction recovery?

financial pressure?

health or disability?

ministry leadership?

Pause and let them quietly think.

Then ask:

In what areas should we humbly involve others who are more equipped?

Pastoral teaching moment

Real discipleship is not pretending we are the answer. It is helping people find the right body of believers.

Slide 5

“There are no perfect churches… but the church was God’s idea.”

32–38 minutes

Read slowly and intentionally:

Ephesians 3:10 “10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,”

Then:

God displays His wisdom to the world through… not conferences… not parachurch ministries… but through the local church.

Now read:

Ephesians 5:25 “25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,”

Pause.

Say softly:

Jesus shed His blood for the church. He is not casual about it.

Now read:

Philippians 1:6 “6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;”

Connect this clearly to Francis’ comment about sanctification:

One of God’s primary tools to grow you is not a quiet time alone. It is ministry with imperfect people.

Discussion question

How has serving others actually shaped your own spiritual growth?

38–40 minutes – Drawing the net (gentle pastoral close)

You can close the session with this pastoral word:

Tonight isn’t about joining Mt. Zion Baptist Church as an institution. It is about embracing Christ’s design for your growth.

You cannot grow fully without the body. You cannot disciple faithfully without the church. And the church cannot be what God designed it to be without your obedience.

Final Scripture (short and strong)

Acts 2:42 “42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

Final reflection question (no pressure, just quiet response)

Ask:

What is one step of obedience God is asking of you in His church right now?

Pause quietly.

Then close in prayer.