Colossians 2:6-7a | And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught…

Over the last few months, we’ve explored how to grow deep roots as followers of Christ. Last week, we examined salvation, made possible when we put our faith in Jesus, who’s blood covers us, making us right in God’s sight.

God’s followers must build their lives on Him as they grow in truth, but they aren’t meant to do that alone. The early church in Acts demonstrates God’s design for his followers- the Body of Christ— also known as His Church. This week we’ll see that the church isn’t a building or a set of pastors. We’ll grow in our final essential-

Essential #10 - The Church is the body of Christ and consists of all of God’s followers. God’s church has been entrusted with meeting together to grow, love one another, encourage and support each other, serve together, and to proclaim Christ to others. Each individual follower of God plays a critical role in the body of Christ. Remaining unified and active in and through a local church body allows the believer to fulfill their role as the church.

Discussion
1.It is important that God’s followers meet with each other as part of a church body. Why is getting together with other believers important?
2. The Bible tells us to love another with genuine affection (Romans 12:10). Do you find it hard to love other followers of God? Are you currently bitter, angry, gossiping, or speaking badly of any other believers? If so what do you need to do according to Ephesians 4:31-32?
3. As a group read 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. Which part of the body of Christ is more important? Is there any person in the body of Christ more or less important than another person? Why or why not?
4. What gifts, talents and abilities has God given you?
5. We should use our gifts to serve God and others. How are you serving God/others by serving the body of Christ (the church)? How are you serving God/others as the body of Christ (outside of the church)?