A believer friend of mine doesn’t attend church. She told me she feels uncomfortable when she goes. She believes others in attendance look down on her. Our conversation caused me to ponder this question: why attend church? I’ve listed seven reasons that are important to me.
God Asks Us To
People in Old and New Testament times gathered together in temples to worship God. God’s Word calls us to do the same.
Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing,
but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see
the Day approaching.
(Hebrews 10:25)
Worship God
We could stream our favorite preachers and worship services, but as we read above, the Lord wants us to come together to worship Him.
So the name of the Lord will be declared in Zion and his
praise in Jerusalem when the peoples and the kingdoms
assemble to worship the Lord.
(Psalm 102:21-22)
Hear God’s Word and Grow Our Faith
Paul gave instructions to Timothy. If Timothy was told to publicly preach, Paul expected people to hear. Through hearing the Word, our faith grows.
Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture,
to preaching and to teaching.
(1 Timothy 4:13)
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the
message is heard through the word about Christ.
(Romans 10:17)
Grow in Our Walk with the Lord
As we hear and apply God’s Word, we grow in righteousness. The more we grow, the better we prepare ourselves to serve others.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.
(2 Timothy 3:16)
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service,
so that the body of Christ may be built up.
(Ephesians 4:11-12)
Use Our Gifts to Serve Others
Each of us is an important part of the body of Christ. God planned for us to come together to use our gifts to help one another. There is a satisfaction and fulfillment that comes when we serve others and use our spiritual gifts.
A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.
(1 Corinthians 12:7, NLT)
Fellowship with Other Believers
Church offers us a community of fellow believers. We gather to not only worship together and serve one another but to encourage, pray, and love others. Even though we may not always agree with one another, we learn to work through our differences and bring glory to God.
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship,
to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
(Acts 2:42)
Teach Our Children to Love the Church
Growing up, my family did not attend church often. This is something my parents regretted when they grew older and accepted Christ into their lives. I am the only one of four children who attends church regularly.
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when
they are old they will not turn from it.
(Proverbs 22:6)
What are your reasons to attend church? Please share below in the comment section.
Scripture is from the NIV unless noted.
Photo by Leah S. Terrell