9.1f Becoming a Christian and joining a Church is a serious and life changing commitment, and should not be undertaken lightly. Commitment to a Church as a member involves: iv) loving support of the Church and its members by prayer,
Churches together
6.7 Just as Christians within a Church are to love and accept one another, so true Christian Churches within a particular locality are to demonstrate their unity in Christ by their relationships (more is said on this in ‘Our Practice
We should meet
6.4 The Church is to meet together regularly; each member should make it a priority to be present where possible, not neglecting this without good cause. Such meetings have the building up of one another as their purpose. This happens
What should we do?
6.3 The local Church exists to make known the Christian message to all in its locality and to provide for the growth of its members through teaching, pastoral care and the exercise of the spiritual gifts which God has given
The local church
6.2 According to the New Testament, Christians in a particular locality are to commit themselves to meeting together as a local Church. A local Church should be marked by teaching based on the message of the Bible, leadership which helps
Fighting sin
5.3 Throughout the Christian life, the process of renewal continues. Although there are times when Christians sin and slip back in their relationship with God, this is not to be the norm, and the Bible assures us of the great
An emotional goodbye
Jonathan now knows his father’s murderous plans towards David. So he must warn him and then they must part. But that is so painful. Jonathan loves his friend as a brother and would happily serve under him, yet must remain
Worship only Him
5.1 God commands human beings to worship only Him. Therefore Christians should be exclusively committed to Him. As members of God’s kingdom, we are under God’s rule. In presenting our lives to God and seeking to put Him first, we
The temper test
David and Jonathan plan to test Saul using his temper. David has sworn that Saul is hiding from his son a plot to kill David. If the king becomes angry when he suspects Jonathan has found out about the plot,
Friendship under stress
Saul’s son Jonathan previously made a covenant with David which should protect him and see him installed as king (18:3-4). However, all the trouble with Saul has raised questions in David’s mind. Is the agreement still good? Is Jonathan still