Make Disciples That Make DisciplesSample

What is the Church?

When we hear the word “church,” many of us picture buildings, pews, programs, and pastors, but Scripture paints a much simpler and more profound picture. The Bible uses the word “church” with three primary definitions:

Universal Church – All believers across time and geography.

Regional Church – Groups of believers in a city or region (e.g., the church in Sardis, Revelation 3:1).

House Church – Believers gathering in homes, like the church that met in Nympha’s house (Colossians 4:15).

It’s this third expression—the church that gathers from house to house—that we’ll focus on. It’s not just a meeting; it’s a spiritual family. In this family, Christ is not just present—He is King.

Jesus distilled the entire law into two commandments:

1.) Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

2.) Love your neighbor as yourself.

These two form the foundation of the church’s life, but Jesus didn’t stop there. His final words before ascending were a commission:

“Go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19–20)

So the spiritual family we call church focuses on three things:

1.) Loving God

2.) Loving Others

3.) Making Disciples

These aren’t just good ideas—they’re summary statements of God’s revealed will. Loving God and others encapsulates the Old Testament. Making disciples encapsulates the New.

When Jesus said, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18), He wasn’t talking about bricks and budgets. While buildings and programs can serve the Kingdom, they’re not essential to the church’s identity. When our goal is the multiplication of disciples, simplicity matters.

A spiritual family that loves God, loves others, and makes disciples can be reproduced anywhere—no budget required.

Questions to consider:

• Are you part of a spiritual family where Christ is King?
• How are you personally living out the call to love God, love others, and make disciples?
• What might God be inviting you to simplify so that His church can multiply?