The Church

For many people the word church brings to mind a building, a Sunday service or an institution. In the New Testament the Church is much more: it is the people Christ purchased with his own blood (Acts 20:28), his body, his bride, the temple in which God dwells through the Spirit.

In this course you will discover the Church through the eyes of Scripture. In the first module we will study its nature: Christ as founder and head, the relationship between the universal Church and local churches, its link with the Kingdom of God and the images the Bible uses to describe it. In the second module we will look at the marks of a healthy church, its mission in the world, the models of government and the ministries. In the third module we will step into the concrete life of the community: belonging, the relationship with culture, change and growth, teaching, discipleship, fellowship and worship.

With the BereaWay Method we will examine every topic in the light of the whole of Scripture, so that we may love the Church more and serve it better. Whether you are a member, a leader or someone looking for a community, this course will help you find your place in the body of Christ.

What you will learn

• Explain from the Bible what the Church is and how it relates to the Kingdom of God
• Recognize the marks and the missions of a church faithful to Scripture
• Compare the models of church government and the ministries of the New Testament
• Contribute to the healthy growth of your local church: belonging, fellowship, teaching and worship