Church attendance has caused confusion among many people. First, you ought to attend a church that teaches you about Christ and how to be SAVED. Second, the primary textbook for the entire church and Sunday School should be the BIBLE. Third, the church ought to give ALTAR CALLS, inviting people to be saved, and for the saved to get their hearts right with God. How often you are to attend is a question for some. You are to attend each time the doors are open for a service. Sunday Morning is not the most important service of the week nor is Sunday Night. The most important service of the week is the Mid-week Prayer Meeting. In most churches attendance is high on Sunday Morning, drops for the Evening Service, and reaches its all time low on the Mid-week Prayer Meeting Night. This should not be the case. Let's see what the Scripture has to say about church attendance.

07.01 In Acts 2:41-42, after the 3,000 were saved and baptized, what happened to them?
          They were added to the church.

07.02 You can only add to something that already exists. Yes 

07.03 According to Acts 1:15, what was the membership of the first church in Jerusalem? 120

07.04 In Hebrews 10:25, we are warned to do what about the assembling of ourselves together?
          Not forsaking.

07.05 In that same verse, we are taught to assemble ourselves together.

07.06 In Hebrews 10:24, we are told to do what to one another? Exhort.
          This means to incite by argument or advice - to give warnings - make urgent appeals.

07.07 We are to consider and provoke one another to do what? Heb. 10:24 Assemble ourselves together. 

07.08 Please explain in your own words what Heb. 10:24-25 means.       
          (1) We should not willfully stay home from any service - this would include morning, evening, and mid-week.
          (2) We should encourage each other to do so - pointing out "That to know to do good and do it not . . .
               it is a sin." A sin against God - not against the church.

07.09 In I Corinthians 15:58, we are taught to be three things in the Lord's work.
	What are they?
	(1) Stedfast (Steadfast)
	(2) Unmovable
	(3) Always abounding in the work of the Lord.

	What do they mean?
                (1) Firmly fixed in place / not subject to change / firm in belief / sound doctrine.
                (2) We do not comprise / stay true to God's Word (We obey it).
                (3) Growing spiritually / serving God daily / witnessing.
        
07.10 According to Acts 2:47, what type of people does God add to the church? 
          Saved / only can the saved be added to the church.
          This is true both to the spiritual church and the local church.

07.11 Does Acts 2:47 mean that only saved people should be members of the church? Yes
	
07.12 In Acts 15:25, what did Luke say about being assembled? It is good.

07.13 What does Acts 11:26 say that Paul did with the Church when he came to Antioch?
          (1) They assembled together a whole year (every service). 
          (2) He taught them - Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

07.14 In Acts 9:26, what did Saul want to do with the disciples? He wanted to join with them.

Pastor's note:
	You can only join something that is already existing.
	You join to identify yourself with those who believe like you.

07.15 In Ephesians 5:23:
	(1) What is Christ's position in the Church? He is the head as the husband is the head of the wife / the
                      spiritual leader of the home. Husbands MUST lead.
	(2) How is the Church represented? The body. 

07.16 How did Christ obtain the Church?
	Acts 20:28  He purchased it with His own blood.

07.17 What has He done for us through His death? 
	Eph.1:7 Redeemed through His blood / He has forgiven our sins.

07.18 What proves that we are God's children and thus members of His Church?
	I John 4:7 Love one another / every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God.

07.19 Romans 12:4-5 teaches that all believers are: One body.

Each believer is given a different, but important responsibility in this spiritual body, the church.
Read I Corinthians 12:14-27.

The church is like a family.

07.20 If any Christian is helped or suffers, how does this affect us as believers?
	I Corinthians 12:26 When one member suffers - we all suffer.
                                              When one member is helped - we all rejoice.

07.21 What is every Christian's responsibility to others in the church?
	I Peter 4:10 We are to minister to each other what ever gifts God gives us.
                                   ie. singing, playing a musical instrument, etc.

07.22 Where did believers meet before they had church buildings?
	Romans 16:5 In houses.
	I Corinthians 16:19 In houses.

07.23 On what day did they meet? Acts 20:7 The first day of the week - Sunday.

07.24 From Acts 2:42, list four things that are important to the church.
	(1) Sound doctrine.
	(2) Fellowship.
	(3) Communion (breaking of bread).
	(4) Prayer.

07.25 What is God's desire for the local church? I Corinthians
	1:20 Write in your own words.      
	The local church is wise to be the disputer of the foolish wisdom of this world.

Pastor's Note: A pastor or minister is a shepherd or the spiritual leader of a local church. He is responsible to
nurture, train and lead the believers in his flock. The terms pastor (Eph. 4:11), presbytery (I Tim. 4:14), bishop
(I Tim. 3:1) and elder (I Peter 5:1) all refer to the pastor. In the Greek, they all mean "overseer."

07.26 What is the purpose or duty of the pastor? I Peter 5:2      
          Feed the flock. To teach and preach.

07.27 What kind of spiritual leadership did God promise in the Old Testament?
          Jeremiah 3:15 Pastors shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

Read Ephesians 4:11-16:

07.28 Who, in addition to the apostles and prophets, have been made responsible to build up the church?
	Eph. 4:11 Missionaries, evangelists, pastors, teachers.

07.29 What are the reasons why these duties are given?
	Eph. 4:12 (1) For the perfecting of the saints.
                               (2) For the work of the ministry.
                               (3) For the edifying of the body of Christ.

07.30 What is the ultimate goal of such Christian services?
	Eph. 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
                                unto a perfect (mature) man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

Read Acts 20:28:

07.31 Church leaders are presented as an overseer.

07.32 Who gives them position? The Holy Spirit.

07.33 What is their responsibility? To feed the church of God.

07.34 How should the church's leaders accept their responsibility?
	I Peter 5:2 Not by constraint, but willingly.
                                Not by filthy lucre, but of a ready mind.

Read I Peter 5:3-4:

07.35 How should they exercise their authority? Not by lording over, but by example to the flock.

07.35 The faithful shepherd is promised a reward when Christ comes again. True / A crown of glory.

07.36 The Pastor is to preach:
	(1) Eph. 3:8  The unreachable riches of Christ.
	(2) II Tim. 4:2  The Word / In season and out of season.
	(3) II Cor. 4:5 Christ Jesus the Lord / Ourselves as saints for Jesus' sake.

07.37 What does Hebrews 10:25 warn us not to neglect? The assembling of ourselves together.

Read Ephesians 4:2-3:

07.38 What is our responsibility?      
          Forbearing one another in love (forbearing = putting up with).
          Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit.

07.39 What will promote unity? The Spirit.

07.40 How should those who are appointed to preach and teach be supported?
	I Corinthians 9:14 By the gospel (Phil. 4:19). "But my God shall supply all your need according
                                                                                     to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

CONCLUSION:

When you trust Christ as Saviour, you become part of the body of Christ, the universal Church. He requires you to become part of a local church where you are to be baptized and attend every service. Not all churches preach the Bible, and not all churches that preach the Bible, obey the Bible. Believers should fellowship with a Bible-preaching, Bible-teaching church. Hebrews 10:25.

Pastor's note: Center your life and the life of your family around your local church. Attend every service, especially the Mid-week Prayer Service. Don't make going to church a "have to", but a "want to." Look for areas where you can serve Him in your local church. Volunteer. Be a role model for the youth of the church. Use the talent God has given to you for the edifying of the saints and the building of the local church. We are to "occupy until He comes" Luke 19:13. Let's do the best job we can. And let's be found doing it when He comes.

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