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The Church Of Christ
Lesson 7: The Work Of The Local Church
God has authorized the local church to exist – and He has done so for some specific reasons. Among these reasons, we can plainly observe that God has authorized some specific work to be accomplished by the local church. That is, a locally organized group of Christians (a local church) can work in conjunction with one another as one unit to accomplish some specific works in the Lord’s cause.
As we begin to focus on the specific work God has given to each local congregation to accomplish, it is certainly worth noting that God has only given a local church a work that is within its scope and ability to accomplish. He does not expect or demand for a local church to accomplish something that is beyond its ability to accomplish.
As we focus on discovering what God teaches about the church of Christ – and as we are focused on learning about the local church in this section of lessons, we want to study about the work of the local church. The purpose of this lesson is to help you understand what God teaches about the work He has given for local churches to accomplish and to learn about some works He has never authorized local churches to accomplish (which are commonly being done by local churches today, even by many local “churches of Christ”).
Outline
How has God authorized the local church to gain funds in order to accomplish its work?
1. Individual Versus Collective Action
Why do we need to distinguish the two? What does 1 Timothy 5:3-16 demonstrate?
Discuss the authorized work of individual Christians.
What is the authorized collective work of the local church?
2. Evangelism
How is evangelism the work of all Christians (individually)?
Must local churches (collectively) be teaching the Gospel? How are they authorized to
accomplish this work?
3. Edification
How is edification the work of all Christians (individually)?
Must local churches (collectively) be involved in edification? How are they authorized to
accomplish this work?
4. Benevolence
How is benevolence the work of all Christians (individually)?
Must local churches (collectively) be involved in benevolence? How are they authorized to
accomplish this work?
5. Unauthorized Works
Are churches (even “churches of Christ”) involved in any unauthorized works? Why does this
matter?
List some unauthorized works that churches engaged in.
Are these (and other) unauthorized works justifiable simply because they may seem to be
“good” works? Explain.