Catechism – Week 21 – The Church

What Is the Church?

Colossians 1:18a, 20 – And [Jesus] is the head of the body, the church…and through him [God was pleased] to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. (ESV)

How is the church described here?
It is the body of Christ.

How does Jesus then relate to us?
He is the head.

Illustration: Your mind (head) decides what you’re to do and the entire body is unified to carry out what the head desires. If you want to eat supper, you do not have to convince your legs to walk to the table or convince your arms to grab the fork. The whole body is unified because the head decides how each part of the body behaves. In the same way, the church is meant to be united in perfectly carrying out what the head (Jesus) declares to us to do.

What makes someone part of the church?
They have been reconciled to God through Jesus’ blood. This means that we become part of Christ’s body.

How do we relate to other Christians?
While we may do different things, we are united to other Christians because we are all working to serve the head.

What does the church do?
Just as our body carries out the desires of our head, Christ’s body carries out his desires. These desires are to bring together heaven and earth. This includes promoting forgiveness, justice, love, mercy and holiness.

Scripture Memory Verse:

Ephesians 1:22 – And [God] put all things under [Jesus’] feet and gave him as head over all things to the church. (ESV)

What is the Church?
The Church is God’s people united to carry out Jesus’ desires to bring God’s will into this earth.

Adults and older students are encouraged to receive a fuller explanation from Dr. Tim Tennent (President of Asbury Theological Seminary) by clicking this link.