ST NICOLAS, NEWBURY

HOME GROUP QUESTIONS

PICTURES OF THE CHURCH 2: GOD'S BUILDING PROJECT

For home groups that would like them, here are some questions based on the second of our series on Pictures of the Church. There's no need to answer them all - just tackle the ones you have time for. You don't need to stick to the areas mentioned here - feel free to discuss any other issues that arise for you.

1. What does the image of the church as a building site convey to you?

2. 'If you find the perfect church, don't join it: you'll only spoil it!' is a well-known quotation. But how would you define the 'perfect' church? What exactly do you think that we are working towards becoming?

3. What do you think Jesus meant when he said: '...I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it' (Matthew 16:18)? Does the context of this verse shed any light?

4. Please read 1 Corinthians 3:1-15. What particular problem is Paul dealing with here? How does his illustration of laying the church's foundation help?

5. In what ways was Paul an 'expert builder' (verse 10)? What exactly does it mean to lay Jesus Christ as a foundation?

6. According to this way of thinking, what does it take to be a member of the church?

7. Now turn to Acts 4:5-12. How does verse 11 fit into what Peter and John are saying?

8. What do you make of their conclusion in verse 12? Why is what they say true?

9. We've slipped into thinking about the foundation stone not only as something to build on but also as something which determines how all the other stones line up. What does this mean in practice for us as members of Christ's church?

10. Have a look at 1 Peter 2:4-8. What does this passage add to your thinking about the church as God's building project? What does it feel like to be described as a 'living stone'?

11. As a church, what do we do to help people build their lives on Jesus Christ? Please take some time to pray for this particular aspect of our life together.

David Stone
22 May 2008