New Believers: 7 Steps for New ChristiansSample

Day 4: Attend Church Meetings

One of the essential building blocks of spiritual growth is fellowship with other believers by becoming an active part of a local church. The church (meaning the entire body of Christians) is not really an organization so much as an organism.  It is a body.  It is  a family. It thrives by keeping its members spiritually active and well-fed. The church provides you with spiritual instruction from God’s Word; allows you to worship God with other believers; enables you to use your God-given gifts and abilities as God intended; and makes you accountable to spiritual leadership.

Some people think they can get enough spiritual input from Christian television, radio programs, and books. While those things do have value, nothing can replace the need to become an active participant in a local church. Think about it—if joining in fellowship with other believers were not important, why did Jesus establish the church in Matthew 16:18? The Bible has plenty to say about the characteristics of a healthy, vibrant church and the necessity of Christian fellowship. Here are a few helpful insights from God’s Word on looking for and attending the right church. 

• What to look for in a church (see Acts 2:41-47)

• You have a place in the church (see 1 Corinthians 12:12-31)

• Why we need fellowship with other believers (see Hebrews 10:24-25)