Paul often described the church as a body. Every Christian is a part of it, and Jesus is the head.
The head. “And He is the head of the body, the church” (Colossians 1:18). The head gives the body direction, and Jesus leads His church.
One body. “For as the body is one and has many members… so also is Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:12). Members means parts.
Paul says it again. “For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function” (Romans 12:4). Function means job.
Joined together. “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another” (Romans 12:5). We belong to Jesus and to each other.
How we join. “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body” (12:13). When a person trusts Jesus, the Holy Spirit places them into His body.
Everyone welcome. Jews and Greeks, slaves and free people all belonged (12:13). In Jesus there is room for every kind of person.
Different, not divided. A hand and a foot look nothing alike, but they belong to the same body. God's people can be different in age, language, color and gifts and still be one in Jesus.
His hands and feet. Jesus went back to heaven, but His body, the church, is still on earth. When believers serve, help and tell others about Him, they are His hands, His feet and His voice.
Built together. Believers are “being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:22). God lives among His people.
A temple. “Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you” (1 Corinthians 6:19). The Spirit lives in each believer.
Leaders who help. Jesus gave leaders to the church “for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry” (Ephesians 4:12). Equipping means getting ready for a job.
Connected to Jesus. Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches… without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). The body only lives when it stays close to its Head.
Made for good works. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:10). God made you with a part to play.
Do it for Jesus. “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Colossians 3:23). Even small jobs matter when you do them for Jesus.
What to do. This week, thank Jesus that He is the Head of the church. Then find one job at church or at home and do it with all your heart.
God did not only put us in one body. He wants the parts to care for each other.
No splits. God put the body together so “that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another” (1 Corinthians 12:25). A schism is a split.
Hurting together. “And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it” (12:26). When you stub your toe, your whole body feels it.
Happy together. “Or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it” (12:26). Be glad when someone else does well.
Paul's command. “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). Love shares both the happy times and the sad times.
Carry the load. “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). A burden is a heavy load, like a worry or a hard time.
Think of others. “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4).
Honor the weak. Those who “seem to be weaker are necessary” (1 Corinthians 12:22). The quiet kid and the new kid matter to God.
Love one another. Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).
Be kind. “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
Jesus our example. Jesus “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45). He cared for people with His whole life, and then He gave His life on the cross.
Barnabas. When the church had needs, Barnabas sold land and brought the money to the apostles (Acts 4:36-37). He cared for the body.
No one in need. In the first church, “neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own” (Acts 4:32). They shared so that nobody went without.
Pray for each other. James wrote, “Pray for one another, that you may be healed” (James 5:16). Praying for someone is one of the best ways to care for them.
Love is the way. Paul's next words show that love is the best way to care for each other: “Love suffers long and is kind” (1 Corinthians 13:4).
What to do. This week, pray for someone who is hurting, and celebrate with someone who has good news.
Complete all sections to finish!
Read each section and answer the questions correctly.