Question: “Why is it important to go to church? Where in the Bible does it say it?”
Answer: Perhaps the easiest way to answer to this question is to point to Hebrews 10:24-25 – “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Honestly, that command alone is enough. If you read that and say, “Well…that might mean something different…where else does the Bible speak about it.”, then you might just not want to come and you need to be honest about it.
But there is more in this passage than just coming to church services! Realize that participating in the life of the local church is something that every Christian should be involved in. So, the argument for church attendance and the argument for church membership go hand in hand. Check out this article that was published last Saturday at The Gospel Coalition. It’s called, “Why Christians Don’t Go to Church (And Why They Must)“.
God hasn’t just called us to go to church, He has called us to be the church.
Remember, everybody has a past and sometimes we allow our negative experiences to change our thinking and trump the Word of God. If someone you know is refusing to go to church (Or struggling with the idea of membership), ask thoughtful questions. There may be something else going on in their heart that is hurting them and/or holding them back. Perhaps God would have you be a catalyst in their life to overcome those difficulties or fears and be able to experience all that God has for them in fellowship with the body of a local church.
None of us are perfect. Our church has flaws and will continue to have flaws as long as there are people in it. Jesus is perfect. We don’t come to or join the church because the church is perfect. We join together because Jesus is. He is the bridegroom, we are the bride (Ephesians 5:25-27), and part of our job as the church is to keep reminding ourselves of those truths. Let’s keep pointing each other to Jesus.
See you at church!