Why go to church?

@Beertjie (976)
South Africa
April 17, 2007 4:37pm CST
I have heard this question so many times and I have never heard an answer that was motivating enough. I just replied to another discussion when I realised why it is important to go to church If you are a believer, or whant to know more about the Bible and God and Jesus, etc. Most people have only the Bible to read. The Bible teaches us a lot but the problem is that in order to know what we read, we should know how to read. The Bible is not simply a book that you read and then follow everything as it is written. For example, the Old testament says the if a person sins, he must take a sheep to the priest and he must kill it and make a sacrifice. I can't imagine what it would be like today if we start sacrificing sheep every day. When going to church, we are being taught the truth about the Bible, how to aply it, the difference between the Old and New Testaments, etc. If I just give a person a Bible and say he must believe in God and read the Bible, I would send that person to hell without a chance to escape. I ask all people who have opinions about the Bible to first make sure they know the Bible in context and the background. Also get to know something about the writers. If you spend some time learning al these things, you would find the Bible a very interesting Book. If you go to church and you find that you are learning how to use the Bible, or how to have a relationship with Jesus, do not waste your time. Feel free to go to different churches and even speak to the leaders of the different churches. Do so until you know in your heart that you have found the right place, but just be honost with yourself and do not seek critically, seek earnestly. Blessings
3 people like this
13 responses
@Zelmarq (12607)
• Cebu City, Philippines
18 Apr 07
I go to church because I am a memeber of God's family and where I could hear the message of God and be able to apply that in my life. We go to church because we fellowship with other believers and hear from our brothers and sisters and be blesed by the testimonies and also to be encouraged by their lives.
3 people like this
@itkasp (266)
• Australia
18 Apr 07
As a christian, I believe that I am God's child. Therefore, I go to church because I want to come home to my Father's house. I also want to go to church because I want to worship God, have fellowship with other brothers and sisters in Christ, also to receive blessings from the message that God has given to me through the sermon. I agree with you that from the church we are taught on the truth about the word of God and the relationship with our daily life. This is one of the blessings that you will get if you go to church.
3 people like this
• Philippines
18 Apr 07
As regards worship in the Old Testament (such as the offerings for sin, etc.), those are already amended or changed in the New Testament; otherwise, nobody will be able to follow. I go to church (the assembly or congregation - not the building) during Sundays to attend the worship services and also in compliance with the commandment that we should not forsake the assembling of ourselves. Worship consists of praying, singing, reading the Holy Bible, giving, and taking the Lord's supper which (this last) could not be done alone. I am a Christian and I follow the doctrines or teachings of the Christian religion laid down in the Holy Bible.
2 people like this
@dlkuku (1935)
• United States
18 Apr 07
Church is the body of Christ, made up in the form of believers. I find that when I don't go to church I become spiritually hungry. Hungry for the Word, hungry for fellowship with like minded believers, and most of all hungry to worship God. We need physical food to sustain our bodies, but we also need spiritual food to sustain our souls. Sadly, I hear so many people say they feel empty inside, and it's because they are starving for the Truth. The truth is in the Word, if only people would seek it.
2 people like this
• Philippines
18 Apr 07
We go to church to know about on what we believe in , just like going to school in order to learn as we grow older. We need a more understanding and deeper knowledge and sense of commitment towards what we believe in. How can anyone be guided properly without going to church, yes I know that it counts that just being good without going to church is enough but is it better if you can hear about God's teaching in the church and celebrate with Him in His day? It is just like this, SOMEONE who is special to you wants to be with you and likewise you also want to be with him / her that's why you go on a constant dating, in order to feel more of each others presence not just through phone calls (which we can compare through praying at home).This is the same with going to church, If you consider Him as special part of your life then you'll go and visit him...Though HE may be invisiblein a sense, yet the CHURCH serves as HIS house wherein we can feel HIS presence and together celebrating it with his fellowmen who has same faith as with you. In that way, you're goal to be a better follower of HIM will be more realized and that you're presence is also felt by HIM. =)
@betchai (140)
• Philippines
18 Apr 07
Going to church can be one of the best ways to keep the Sabbath. It can be the high point of the week. And it can put you in touch with God. So I'm very much favor of going to church on Sabbath. We miss out if we don't go to church. Part of the Sabbath experience is worshipping our Creator. Now, we can do that alone or with a group in nature. But when we join together in a sanctuary, there's a different quality about the worship experience. I don't sing very well by myself, but when I'm with a group of praise singers and a band, things can really sound good. I can read the Bible on my own, but at church I hear about a portion of scripture that someone has studied and now shares with me (the sermon). I need handshakes, hugs, smiles and good old friendly slaps on the back. I get those at church. I want to give those, too and church is a place where I can do that. If you're really serious, be in charge of the church service for one Sabbath. Then after you've put everything into making it a great experience, you'll be shocked if others consider it boring or wonder what would happen if they didn't come to church that Sabbath.
2 people like this
@sakura08 (83)
• Philippines
18 Apr 07
u have to go to the church to give thanks and praise to the Lord...and also to confess your sin....
1 person likes this
• Philippines
18 Apr 07
It is very important for you to believe the validity of the Bible first before you ask questions such as this, because if you doubt a single word written in the Bible, no answer will satisfy you. Anyway, to answer the question, man is given a duty and responsibility to praise and worship God, and God does commands us to congregate among ourselves to glorify Him; thus we must build a church where we can give Him all the praises that befits Him, for He is a powerful and loving God, and He holds our dear life in His hands...
1 person likes this
@cutiedhes (507)
• Philippines
18 Apr 07
You go to church to worship God, to hear the priest sermons about how powerful God is. We go to church every Sunday because its our chance to talk to God and thank him for all the blessings he has given us. And also to ask for forgiveness. We hear mass to let others know that eventhough we can't see God we can feel him just have fate in him and believe in him. We can see God through other people because people is a God's creation.
• Philippines
18 Apr 07
well, i go to church to hear the priest sermon about the gospel. or the words of God. and also pray... that's all.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
18 Apr 07
i dont go to church mass as often as every sunday... im catholic and for me, i believe that even if i don't go to church as long as i believe and have faith in God, i feel ok. ;)
1 person likes this
• Philippines
18 Apr 07
why go to church? that's the question.. the main reason for this one is to see and communicate with GOD together with your fellowmen in your church.. it depends only an inidvidual, wether he'll go or no as long as he still have a communication with our LORD.. :)
1 person likes this
• United States
18 Apr 07
Very nice post, and the responses were very good too. I agree with most of the reasons given for going to church but I also go to church to learn as much as possible to keep from being led astray by false teachings. When we fill our minds with all the different medias, we may begin to question our faith. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, if it helps us learn more and become stronger when our questions are answered. I really enjoy church as well and I like to go for the fellowship, the teachings, and the music touches my heart.
1 person likes this