MORE THAN A SMALL GROUP
HOUSE CHURCH
We meet in homes throughout the week for teaching, discipleship, fellowship,
communion, prayer, serving, and pastoral care.
THE KIND OF CHURCH WE WANT TO BE
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
(Acts 2:42-47)
WHY HOUSE CHURCH?
TEACHING
The preaching of the Word of God is one of the most foundational elements of a church and how the gospel is established and spread.
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.
(Acts 2:42-43)
WORSHIP
The church is the people gathered in praise and worship of our king. As we come together, our lives and our songs lift God high in worship.
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. …
(Acts 2:47)
COMMUNION & FELLOWSHIP
In community we grow closer together, encourage and challenge one another to live a life worthy of our Lord, and join in communion as the body of Christ.
46 And day by day, attending the temple together . . . And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
(Acts 2:46-47)
WHAT HAPPENS AT HOUSE CHURCH?
FOOD
We share a meal together. Usually a potluck coordinated by the members of that house church. Don’t worry, you don’t have to bring anything other than a big appetite the first time you visit!
FELLOWSHIP (HANGING OUT)
Part of the purpose of these gatherings is to just hang out and get to know other people in the church. Our hope is that deep friendships would form as you share your lives together.
WORSHIP
Worship through music is a huge aspect of the life of a Christian. Not every house church has musical worship every week, but our hope is to give people an opportunity for praise and worship together in these small church groups gathered in a home.
BIBLE STUDY
Each week, we take a deeper look at the main scripture from Sunday’s message. If you missed the service, you can still participate! We use the same format for the study each week, with the goal of really understanding what the Bible says, and together as a group discover an understanding of how that should apply to our lives.
COMMUNION
In the early church, there was a dual meaning for “breaking bread together”. It often meant sharing a meal, but it also referred to the Lord’s Supper, or Communion. Each time we meet, whether in house churches or on Sundays, we take communion together. The bread represents the Body of Christ, and the juice represents the Blood of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
PRAYER
Prayer is an integral part of our faith. At house church, we pray together to celebrate good things in our lives, support each other and seek God’s help for the hard moments, and ask for help and healing when needed. We also seek to commit ourselves to living out the challenge from the Word as we have discovered God’s call for us through our Bible study.
ready to Find a house church?
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HOUSE CHURCHES FROM PASTOR BRIAN IN THIS MESSAGE:
