The Body of Christ is one of the most important ideas of the New Testament as it reveals to us how God chooses to move in the world through the gloriously diverse body of believers. This lesson helps students explore that concept and see how it works in the real world of their lives.

This lesson is designed for small groups of 8 to 10 students. If you use it for small groups, the closing question is designed to have the small groups come back together as a large group for each small group to share what they have come up with.

This lesson will easily work for a large group as well.

Opening Question

1. What is your greatest life accomplishment so far?

Groups of Which You Are, or Have Been, A Part

1. What are groups, teams, or communities in which you are, or have been, a part of that were important to you? What were they and what was their purpose or role in your life? What did, or does, each group offer to you…why do you need each group?What did, or do, you offer to each of these groups…why do these groups need you?

2. What role does the Church play in your life? Why do you need the Church? Why does the Church need you…what do you offer the Church? How does, or how has, the Church helped you grow in your faith? Give specific examples. What have you down to help others grow in their faith? If you can’t think of any, what can you do to help others grow in their faith.

You Are Needed for the Kingdom of God

Read 1 Corinthians 12: 12 – 27a. This passage is telling us to think of the Church as a body.

What are some examples of things you do each a every day that take different body parts working together to accomplish the task?

What are some examples of things we do in the Church that take people with different gifts and talents working together to accomplish that task?

Read Acts 2: 42 – 47a.

When you read this…what is the purpose of the church?

When you read this…what is the purpose of each member of the church?

What if some people just chose not to show up, or to not fulfill their duties…what would happen?

Closing

Many argue that you can be a Christian without going to church. While this is technically true, that is not how God has set it up.a. Imagine that someone comes to your group and wants you to convince them why they should be a part of the Church. How would you respond to them?

If you have broken into small groups, have them come back together to have a representative of each share their responses with the larger group.