The objective of this lesson: to challenge the student to consider the model he/she uses to define his/her concepts of "church." It is the challenge to look at "the church" through God's eyes rather than through our eyes.
Generally, Christians base their basic concepts of "the church" on an institutional model rather then a purpose model. A common response is, "I use both models." It is easy to think, "I use both models," when the person thinks about the purposes of an institution.
Most Christians have never considered their thought models used for defining the nature and work of "the church."
From the beginning, God's objectives in the church were not bonded to an institutional model. Religious institutional models existed when "the church" belonging to God and Jesus began. Yet, "the church" was never asked to reproduce those models.
In the terminology of today's world, the institutional model is a modern model rather than an ancient model.
Specific examples of this fact exist in scripture. One is seen in this fact: "The church" was never directed to construct temples and reproduce temple institutions, traditions, or systems. Israel had a temple. Idol worshippers had many temples. Most converts from Judaism and idolatry shared similar experiences in temple worship in some form. It would not have been a strange experience to either group of new Christians to construct temples, make pilgrimages to those temples, or organize the familiar forms found in temple institutions.
A number of religious institutions, including temples, existed in the ancient world. None of those religious institutions were used as the single model for defining "the church" or its purposes. As an example, the contrast should be obvious between a building called a temple and a people who are God's "called out."
Yet, "the church" was not a temple in the common sense of temples at that time in that world. The Jewish Christian writer, Peter, stated, "...You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ...But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light..." (1 Peter 2:5, 9). The Jewish Christian, Paul [the apostle to the Gentiles--Galatians 2:7], wrote to the Christians at Corinth, "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body." In this statement he spoke to Christians as individuals condemning adultery. Paul said to the same Christians, "Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are" [1 Corinthians 3:16, 17]. In context, Paul condemned the destructive division in that congregation (1:10). As a group of Christians, they collectively needed to understand that actions and attitudes that resulted in destructiveness to the "called out," God's temple, assured destruction to those who caused the destruction.
Call attention to the purpose statement in 1 Peter 2:5, "...to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." Also note the purpose statement in 1 Peter 2:9, "...so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous life..." Note again the purpose in 1 Corinthians 6:19,20 was to produce the realization that "called out" people cannot use their bodies for fornication. In 1 Corinthians 3:16,17, collectively the "called out" could not promote division among themselves.
The purposes of a temple [the building, including the Jewish temple--see 1 Kings 8:10, 11] was to contain the presence of God (or a god) in a special sense. The immediacy of God's presence was reflected by the temple. God through Peter and Paul declared that (1) no longer is God's immediate presence among a people by a temple facility. Rather, (2) God's immediate presence is declared in God's people, "the called out." God's temple is no longer a building, but a people. Just as it was inappropriate for ungodly things to occur in God's building, it is inappropriate for ungodly things to occur in the bodies of the "called out."
Just as the Jewish temple was to house the immediate presence of God, the bodies of the "called out" are to house the immediate presence of God.
God's basic objectives in "the church" are not found in institutional models but in purpose models. Contrast the two concepts. First, consider institutional models. (1) There is considerable emphasis on structuring "the church" by the common concepts of an institution as we envision institutions in the modern age: CEO's, Vice Presidents, administrative personnel, production personnel, institutionally directed programs, statistically measurable results (attendance numbers; baptism numbers; financial numbers; visitation numbers; visitor numbers; etc.). Growth is perceived and measured statistically. If the numbers declare growth is occurring, growth is happening. While "growth" is happening, faith may not be maturing among converts; the divorce rate may be increasing among converts; addictions may be increasing among converts; affairs may be increasing among converts; pornography involvement may be increasing among converts; materialism may be increasing among converts; and despair may be increasing among converts. However, massive expressions of concern are not voiced because the institutional model verifies, "We are growing. The numbers verify it!" (2) There is considerable emphasis on "doing things the correct way." Often "how things are done" is of greater significance than challenges to develop godly lifestyles. Often a congregation has its own definition of "the right way to do things" and "the wrong way to do things." This definition is primarily based on congregational preferences instead of God's purposes. (3) Too often the end result is too many "church members" [a term not found in scripture] find false security through "attending regularly" in a place where "the right things" occur in assemblies. (4) Institutionally, personal success is measured by being a committed "attender" at specific assembly times rather than living a God-focused life seven days a week.
Help your students understand the emphasis in the institutional model easily becomes focused on "belonging" instead of "being." From this perspective, if a person "belongs to the church," being a godly person decreases in importance and significance. Too often one who "belongs" justifies ungodly thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors through "attendance." Transformation (Romans 12:1,2) decreases in importance as attendance increases in significance.
Second, consider the purpose models. God's purpose in the "called out" is to redirect their lives (a) away from evil as their dominant influence (b) to God as their dominant influence. (1) The "called out" assemble to praise God for what He has done and does for them in Jesus Christ. (2) The objective of being a "called out" person is to grow in faith in the Christ and God. (3) Success is not determined by or measured in numerical verifications, but in the spiritual maturing of individuals. (4) While the "called out" man or woman deeply desires to do things in biblical ways, the emphasis is on being a godly person. (5) Verification that growth is occurring is demonstrated in repentance; in faith in God and Jesus; in peace in the face of adversity; in hope based on God's promises; and in joy in belonging to God through Jesus Christ. The fruit of the Spirit are the goals of spirituality (Galatians 5:22, 23).
In the purpose model, being a part of the "called out" naturally involves a deep, personal determination (a) to produce the fruit of the Spirit in daily life and (b) to honor God for making this transition possible.
The objective of this lesson is to challenge all who are converted to Jesus Christ to serve God by (a) adopting godliness as the purpose of human existence and (b) measuring things in the same manner God measures them. It is to challenge Christians to understand God's purposes in every man and woman who chooses to be a part of God's "called out." It is to challenge Christians to be God's light in the world of darkness by calling people to Christ through existing as godly people whose lives reflect God's presence and blessings. The desire is to generate thought and understanding, not conflict. Think rather than react.
The purpose of this lesson is positive, not negative. The objective is to generate insight and understanding, not to endorse or promote conflict. The teacher must realize that a person who has thought only from the perspective of institutional concepts may feel spiritually threatened by purpose concepts. Great patience is needed to produce insight and understanding. Let people grow in understanding at their own rate--do not force someone to agree with you. The objective is not conformity but insight.
Thought Questions:
The answers to this question will vary from person to person. Your helpfulness likely will be found in encouraging the person to relate his/her explanation to specific aspects of the institutional model.
Again, the answers to this question will vary from person to person. Still your helpfulness likely will be found in encouraging the person to relate his/her explanation to specific aspects of the purpose model.
Be certain the person has a clear understanding of each model before he/she begins to compare them.
Link to Student Guide
Lesson 4