Ephesians 3:16-21 offers a clear guide for the church:

1. The church exists by the abundance of spiritual riches that God supplies.
2. The church’s purpose is to bring God glory in every generation.

Acts 2:42-47

1. Regular gatherings
   1. Sunday Corporate Worship
      • The Second London Baptist Confession 22.1:
        “The acceptable way of worshipping the true God, is instituted by himself, and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worshipped according to the imagination and devices of men, nor the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representations, or any other way not prescribed in the Holy Scriptures.”
      • i. We Preach the Word (2 Tim. 4:1–4; 1 Cor. 1:20–25)ii. We Read the Word (1 Tim. 4:13)

        iii. We Sing the Word (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16)

        iv. We Pray (1Timothy 2:1–2)

        v. We Baptize and Take the Lord’s Supper
        (Mat. 28:19; 1 Cor. 11:23–26)

        vi. We Give Offerings (1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9)

   2. Sunday School
   3. Mid-week studies
   4. Member’s Meeting
   5. Children
2. Intentional Relationships
3. Prayer

Today's Key Insight! If you were to share a key insight from today's sermon with a friend, what would you say? In a sentence or two, write down what you would say:

Discussion Questions: 1. What do you believe most people are looking for in a church? 2. Why do you believe churches are willing to compromise by accommodating to the demands of the consumer? 3. Who should the church seek to please and how will this affect its activities? 4. What should determine the focus of the church? 5. Why should preaching be the principle focus of the local church? 6. Does your life reflect that prayer is important? 7. What are some reasons for why the local church should be the principle source of Christian fellowship? 8. Are baptism and the Lord’s Supper optional? Why or why not?