What Is The Church's Identity

Lesson Objective

To enable believers to clearly articulate the church’s biblical identity through essential Scriptural images - such as the Body of Christ, the Family of God, the Temple of the Holy Spirit, the Bride of Christ, and the Royal Priesthood - and to inspire them to incorporate these profound truths into their daily lives and the vibrant life of the congregation. When many people hear the word “Church,” they think of a building. However, the Scriptures consistently describe the Church as a living community – Jesus Christ’s body, His bride, God’s household and temple - made up of ordinary people whom God has called to Himself in Jesus Christ. In this lesson–study, we will explore what the Scriptures say the Church is, so that we can see ourselves not as spectators at a religious service, but as a people who belong to God, indwelt by His Spirit, and sent together for His purposes in the world.

The Church Defined (What is the Church?)

The Church is a dynamic community of believers called together by God through the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This unified body is actively formed and guided by Jesus Christ Himself, by the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. In short, the Church is people called by God, formed by Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit!

Scriptural References

1 Peter 2:9-10 (MSG): “But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do His work and speak out for Him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference He made for you - from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.”

Ephesians 2:19-22 (ERV): “So now you non-Jewish people are not visitors or strangers, but you are citizens together with God’s holy people. You belong to God’s family. You believers are like a building that God owns. That building was built on the foundation that the apostles and prophets prepared. Christ Jesus Himself is the most important stone in that building. The whole building is joined together in Christ, and He makes it grow and become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Christ you are being built together with His other people. You are being made into a place where God lives through the Spirit.”

Matthew 28:18-20 (CEV): “Jesus came to them and said: I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth! Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.”

Who Is The Church

Lesson Objective

To enable believers to articulate a clear biblical definition of  “who” the Church is as God’s redeemed people in Jesus Christ, rather than merely a building, event, or institution. Believers will be able to identify and explain key Scripture images of the Church - such as the people of God, the body of Christ, and the household/temple of the Spirit - and use these truths to correct common misconceptions.

Lesson Introduction

Many believers think of “church” primarily as a place, a service time, or a set of programs. Scripture presents something deeper: the Church is not mainly an event to attend, the Church is a people called by God, formed by Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Let’s frame today’s lesson - study this way:

• Identity is not something the Church invents; it is something the Church receives.
• The Church comes to know its true identity when it returns to the One who names it (God the Father) and then lives consistently with that calling.

Let’s familiarize ourselves with a term that will be used in this study: 

Present Truth

This term refers to biblical truths that God highlights as particularly relevant and urgent for His people at a specific time in history, guiding their understanding, obedience, and mission amid contemporary – today’s challenges.

The Church Is a Called People (Belonging by God)

• The Church exists because God calls and gathers.
• The Church does not create itself. 
• The Church’s identity begins with God’s grace, not our performance.

Present Truth: Since God calls the Church into being, the Church’s identity must be received from Him, not built around preferences, culture, or tradition.

Scriptural Reference

1 Peter 2:9-10 (ERV)

“But you are His chosen people, the King’s priests. You are a holy nation, people who belong to God. He chose you to tell about the wonderful things He has done. He brought you out of the darkness of sin into his wonderful light. In the past you were not a special people, but now you are God’s people. Once you had not received mercy, but now God has given you His mercy.”

The Church Is the Body of Christ (United, Interdependent, Living)

• The Church is not an audience; it is a body. 
• Every believer is a vital member, designed to function, serve, and build up others.

Present Truth: The Church is not “the pastor and a crowd.” The Church is the whole body living under Jesus Christ, the Head.

Scriptural Reference

1 Corinthians 12:24-27 (TPT)

“But some of our body parts don’t require as much attention. Instead, God has mingled the body parts together, giving greater honor to the “lesser” members who lacked it. He has done this intentionally so that every member would look after the others with mutual concern, and so that there will be no division in the body. In that way, whatever happens to one member happens to all. If one suffers, everyone suffers. If one is honored, everyone rejoices. You are the body of the Anointed One, and each of you is a unique and vital part of it.”

The Church Is God’s Household and Dwelling (Family and Presence)

• The Church is described as a family and as a place where God’s presence dwells - not in a building first, but in a people built together.
• God’s presence is meant to be evident among His people through holiness, love, unity, and worship.

Present Truth: If the Church is family, we commit to one another. If the Church is God’s dwelling, we pursue holiness and worship.

Scriptural Reference

Ephesians 2:19-22 (ERV)

“So now you non-Jewish people are not visitors or strangers, but you are citizens together with God’s holy people. You belong to God’s family. You believers are like a building that God owns. That building was built on the foundation that the apostles and prophets prepared. Christ Jesus Himself is the most important stone in that building. The whole building is joined together in Christ, and He makes it grow and become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Christ you are being built together with His other people. You are being made into a place where God lives through the Spirit.”

The Church Is a Sent People (Witness, Service, and Mission)

• The Church is not only gathered; it is also scattered – called to “go out.” 
• We gather to be formed, then we go out to represent Jesus Christ.

Present Truth: Mission is not a program the Church does; mission is part of who the Church is.

Scriptural Reference

2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (CEV)

“God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between Himself and us, and He has given us the work of making peace between Himself and others. What we mean is that God was in Christ, offering peace and forgiveness to the people of this world. And He has given us the work of sharing His message about peace. We were sent to speak for Christ, and God is begging you to listen to our message. We speak for Christ and sincerely ask you to make peace with God.”

Scriptural Reference

John 20:21-22 (CEV)

“After Jesus had greeted them again, He said, “I am sending you, just as the Father has sent Me. Then He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Common Misconceptions About The Church

• X-Misconception: “Church is a building.”
• Correction: The church may meet in a building, but it is not a building.

• X-Misconception: “Church is a weekly service.”
• Correction: A service is one expression of the gathered church, but the church is a people living as Jesus Christ’s body daily.

• X-Misconception: “Church is only leaders.”
• Correction: Every believer is a member with gifts to serve. 

Lesson Summary

The Scriptures teach that the Church is the redeemed people God has called, united to Jesus Christ, and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The Church is the people of God, the body of Christ, and the household and dwelling place of God - gathered for worship and formed by the Word, then “goes out” - “scatters” as Jesus Christ’s witnesses and servants. When we reduce “Church” to a building, an event, a service, or a select group of leaders, we shrink what God designed. However, when we embrace the truth - we are the Church - we begin to live with clarity, unity, and mission.

Church Without Walls

Lesson Objective

To explore Scriptures that reveal the Church as a dynamic community of believers who share a common faith in Jesus Christ, rather than merely a physical structure, and to encourage ourselves to actively incorporate this understanding into our daily lives.

Lesson Introduction

Many people say, “I’m going to church,” meaning they are going to a building. While buildings are useful and often necessary, Scripture teaches something far more powerful: 

The Church is not where we go - it is who we are!

In tonight's lesson, we are invited to take a deeper look at what it truly means to be the church. It's essential to understand that God does not primarily reside within the walls of buildings constructed by human hands. Instead, His presence is found in the hearts and lives of those who have been transformed through their relationship with Jesus Christ.

As committed believers, we are much more than mere attendees of church services; we are active, living members of the body of Jesus Christ. This profound connection means that we carry His Spirit, His message, and His love into every aspect of our lives, whether at work, school, or in our communities. 

We are called to embody His teachings and represent Him in all that we do, making our actions and attitudes a testament to His grace and truth. Through this understanding, we can begin to see the church not just as a place to gather, but as a vibrant community of faith that extends beyond physical structures and into the world around us.

Our Scriptural References

Matthew 16:18: “So, I tell you, you are Peter. And I will build my church on this rock. The power of death will not be able to defeat my church.”

1 Corinthians 3:16: “You should know that you yourselves are God’s temple. God’s Spirit lives in you.”

Ephesians 2:19–22: “So now you non-Jewish people are not visitors or strangers, but you are citizens together with God’s holy people. You belong to God’s family. You believers are like a building that God owns. That building was built on the foundation that the apostles and prophets prepared. Christ Jesus Himself is the most important stone in that building. The whole building is joined together in Christ, and He makes it grow and become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Christ you are being built together with His other people. You are being made into a place where God lives through the Spirit.”

1 Peter 2:5: “Come and be His “living stones” who are continually being assembled into a sanctuary for God. For now you serve as holy priests, offering up spiritual sacrifices that He readily accepts through Jesus Christ.”

Acts 2:42–47: “The believers spent their time listening to the teaching of the apostles. They shared everything with each other. They ate together and prayed together. Many wonders and miraculous signs were happening through the apostles, and everyone felt great respect for God. All the believers stayed together and shared everything. They sold their land and the things they owned. Then they divided the money and gave it to those who needed it. The believers shared a common purpose, and every day they spent much of their time together in the Temple area. They also ate together in their homes. They were happy to share their food and ate with joyful hearts. The believers praised God and were respected by all the people. More and more people were being saved every day, and the Lord was adding them to their group.”

• Jesus Christ Builds His Church with People. Jesus Christ builds His Church through redeemed lives, not physical structures.
• Believers Are God’s Dwelling Place. God’s Spirit lives in His people, making them His temple.
• The Church Is a Spiritual Family. We are members of God’s household, united by faith.
• The Church Is Active, Not Stationary. Wherever believers go, the Church goes.

Every Believer Has a Responsibility

Each believer represents Jesus Christ and contributes to His body; every believer is to be a carrier of God’s presence, love, and truth into the world.

Lesson Summary

The Bible consistently teaches that the Church is made up of people who belong to Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ said He would build His Church, not with bricks; He builds His Church with redeemed lives - redeemed (converted) people{Matthew 16:18}. Peter described believers as living stones being built into a spiritual house{1 Peter 2:5}. Paul reminds believers that we ourselves are God’s temple because God’s Spirit lives in us {1 Corinthians 3:16}. This truth reshapes how we view worship, fellowship, and responsibility. The Church is not confined to weekly or Sunday gatherings. In truth, faith exists wherever we, as believers, live it out - in our homes, workplaces, schools, and communities. When we understand that people - we are the Church, we stop asking, “Did you – do you go to church?” and begin asking, “Do I – do we live as the Church?” 

Understanding that we are the Church changes how we live!

Worship is no longer limited to a sanctuary, and ministry is no longer assigned only to leaders. Every believer becomes a carrier of God’s Spirit - presence, love, and truth into the world. The Church does not close its doors - because it walks out in us. Wherever we go this week, Jesus Christ’s Church goes with us.