Membership

Study Questions

1) How does Titus 2:14—“[Jesus] gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.”—help us understand who we are? How should this, in turn, affect all aspects of our lives? (Consider also 1 Corinthians 6:20.)

2) What would you say is the purpose of the church? Could you summarise it in a short sentence?

Read Ephesians 4 and discuss:

• Who does Paul expect will do the work in the church?
• Which verse(s) talk about the goal of ministry, and what is that goal?
• Which verse(s) describe how that goal will be achieved, and what do they say?
• When everything is working properly, what is the outcome?
• How well does our church’s vision align with this?

"We seek the love and truth of God, revealed in the person of Jesus Christ, as described by the Spirit through the Bible, and as a result, strive to become more like Him."

3) Given all that you have just discussed, why is it important to exercise due diligence before granting someone church membership—especially considering that membership may involve participation in decision-making processes? Who should be responsible for this due diligence, and why?

4) As with all organisations, some must take on leadership roles. Why is this even more important in the church? (Consider Acts 20:28–30; Galatians 1:6–9, 3:1; Revelation 2:14–16, 20.) What does Hebrews 13:17 tell us about the relationship between elders/overseers and the congregation? How does it highlight the seriousness of an elder’s role (also consider James 3:1)?

5) What kind of leadership should an elder/overseer exercise, and how does this often differ from the world’s version of leadership? (Consider Matthew 20:25–28; 1 Peter 5:2–3.) Titus 1:9 states that an elder “must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” While an elder instructs and rebukes, who ultimately enforces church discipline? (Consider Matthew 18:17; 1 Corinthians 5:4–5, 12–13; 2 Corinthians 2:6.) What is the nature of this "punishment," and what does this reveal about the importance of building a loving church community?