Reflections on the Organic Church

PART 1

Read 1 Corinthians 12: the body of Christ (the church or bride) is described as one.

If you are a part of the family of God, what part are you?

Is your part alive and contributing to the growth of the church body?

Spiritually?

Numerically?

Do you know your gifts?

Are you fanning your gifts into flame?

Are you helping someone else to do the same?

If you aren’t a part of the family of God, I would like to take this moment out to invite you to find your freedom in Christ. Please speak to a trusted Spirit-filled member to lead you to Jesus.

Now, read verses 4–7 ~
“Now, there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”

These verses explain the organic nature of the church. Notice that there is variety in the church. We can see this. Why is there variety? The answer is in verse 7. Praise the Lord for His creation of variety within His church.

“All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as He wills (vs. 11).”

After reading verse 11, you will notice Who is in control and how many are in control of this variety. It is definitely not you or him or her. Praise be to the Spirit for His godly wisdom and His order of doing things.

“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit (vs. 12-13).”

Verses 12 and 13: notice who is excluded from drinking. What are we drinking? When was the last time you had a glass of water and felt refreshed? Worshiping at church when drinking from the same Spirit should make you feel renewed. If you don’t feel refreshed, why do you think that is?

“But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way (vs. 31).”

Verse 31 is an encouragement and engages the reader’s curiosity.
What do you think the high gifts are?
What might be the more excellent way?

PART 2

Read Ephesians 5:23, Revelation 19:7 ~
How does the use of pronouns like “she/her” in describing the Church impact your understanding of its nature and identity?

In what ways do the passages from Ephesians and Revelation contribute to the analogy of the Church as a living and dynamic entity?

Read Genesis 1:31, Genesis 2:17 ~
Reflecting on the original goodness of life in Eden, how does this contrast with the present state of the earth with contamination and chemicals?

Read Matthew 28:16-20 ~
How does the analogy of the Church as a living organism align with the command to go and make disciples in Matthew 28?

What role does spiritual procreation play in the life and sustainability of the Church, as mentioned in the passage?

Read Colossians 2 ~
What warnings does Colossians 2 provide about the dangers of hybrid churches infused with human principles?

In what ways can churches ensure they are rooted in the Word alone for sustained spiritual health and growth?

How can churches maintain a focus on facilitating healthy souls on their journey while avoiding distractions or deviations?

Read Matthew 9:36-38 ~
How does the analogy of the Church as an organic entity relate to the urgency expressed in Matthew 9 to see the multitude as sheep without a shepherd?

How can individual believers contribute to the spiritual health and growth of the Church through evangelism, discipleship, and pastoring?

Read Acts 2:42-47 ~
Drawing from the early church in Acts, how did they exemplify the principles of organic growth, community, and adherence to God’s eternal basic principles?

In what ways can contemporary churches learn from the organic model presented in Acts?

Read Revelation 3:15-16 ~
Considering the warning about being lukewarm in Revelation 3, how can a church ensure it remains passionate, purpose-driven, and aligned with God’s intent?

In what ways can individuals contribute to preventing spiritual complacency and stagnation within the Church?

Read Galatians 5:22-23 ~
How do the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5 relate to the organic nature of the Church and its impact on the world?

In what ways can individual believers contribute to a church environment characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?

Read Mark 10:15 ~
Reflecting on the simplicity of God’s message for children, how can the Church embrace simplicity in its communication of the Gospel and its overall functioning?

In what ways can the Church avoid complicating its purpose and maintain a clear focus on God’s eternal basic principles?

Author: Wilf & Melanie Scheuermann ©2022, Photo by Andre Mouton: https://www.pexels.com/photo/closeup-photo-of-primate-1207875/