Defining the 21st Century Church — Lesson 3
October 21, 2009
Defining the 21st Century Church
“The Matter of Identity: The Church as
Christ’s Body” – Lesson 3
Adult Wednesday and Sunday Bible Class
West Broad Church of Christ
October 21, 25 and November 1, 2009
Dr. James L. Nesmith, Jr., Facilitator
Introduction:
We discussed incarnation as “the embodiment of a deity or spirit in some earthly form.” We saw this in Jesus. We also concluded that the church can be identified as a second incarnation of Christ before the world. How can we understand that idea more fully?
I. Identity: The Church as Body and Fullness
The church is represented by various metaphors in the New Testament.
· The church is a house
· The church is a bride
· The church is a field
The church is also presented as a body – specifically, Christ’s body. How can this be understood?
A. The Church as Christ’s Body
We must understand the language used by Paul.
n A look at “body”
n Connecting mind and body
n Comparing church and body. Question: Do these ideas impact your understanding of the church as Christ’s body? How?
n The challenge of incarnation. Question: As a member of his church, your body is animated by Christ’s mind. How does that make you feel? What challenges/admissions are presented in your heart?
B. The Church as Christ’s Fullness
Paul presents the church as Christ’s body. But he also presents another truth about the church. How are we to understand his notion? How does it assist in our effort to identify the 21st century church?
n A definition of “fullness”
n An application of “fullness.” Question: Think of the church as Christ’s “fullness.” How accurate have we been in presenting this reality?
n The value of a New Testament understanding
Summation and Conclusion:
We have seen over the course of our study that the Church of Christ is his body in the world today; a body that makes the hope, message, and mission of an invisible Lord visible in the world. When the church is like Jesus – connected to him in submission and commission – we understand with greater clarity who we are and why we are. And this understanding, by God’s grace, will guide us as we engage our world in the 21st century – and beyond.
