Places of worship can be closed overnight by natural disasters, civil unrest, terrorist attacks, state decrees or negative social media campaigns. At the present time local churches are being closed to slow the devastating impact of the covid-19 pandemic, and many are choosing to self-quarantine or isolate to protect themselves and others.<\/p>\n
How will we respond? What will you do?<\/strong><\/p>\n If going to church, enjoying worship music, praising God, listening to a sermon, catching up with friends, and enjoying fellowship around a shared lunch has been your routine, the closing of your church for whatever reason will be a big loss.<\/p>\n Perhaps for you, going to church has been your weekly outing\u2014to get out of the house, to see others. For many young adults, church has been a place to connect socially. For you, it may have been your lifeline to escape\u2014to find support, encouragement and warmth from fellow believers. Perhaps church has been your opportunity to enjoy a safe, peaceful place\u2014to experience God\u2019s embrace with some who understand? For many, having church close is a disaster.<\/p>\n Church in the New Testament<\/strong><\/p>\n Going to a church building for a church service was not what happened in New Testament times. All the early churches met in homes. They were small, based in households.<\/p>\n There were no church sermons until the end of the 2nd century after Jesus, and no church buildings until the 4th century. It was Constantine who financed and gifted the first church buildings\u2014changing the very essence of church.<\/p>\n Just months before His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus used the word church\u2014which means a gathering, without buildings or political and religious connotations. Early\u00a0believers did not go to a church building, but were the church in their homes and communities. So, if your church shuts down, you can be Church.<\/p>\n What might it look like?<\/strong><\/p>\n It might be very small, but Jesus spoke of church as \u201cwhere two or three come together in (His) name\u201d (Matthew 18:15-20; cf., 16:13-21). And, think of the positives of being the Church.<\/p>\n Here is a description of the church, just after it was birthed by the Holy Spirit on Pentecost day\u2014<\/p>\n The believers, described as the church, \u201cdevoted themselves to the apostles\u2019 teaching (of Jesus\u2019 resurrection), and fellowship (with each other and the Spirit), sharing in the Lord\u2019s Supper and prayer\u201d (Acts 2:42 NLT).<\/p>\n They \u201cshared everything they had \u2026 with those in need.\u201d At that time, they could also gather in the temple courts but they \u201cmet in homes for the Lord\u2019s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity\u2014all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people.\u201d And, \u201cthere was a deep sense of awe\u201d\u2014and many miracles (Acts 2:43-47).<\/p>\n It will be different. There will not be the excitement of a worship team, but maybe the sense of \u201cawe\u201d with the Spirit\u2019s leading in quiet prayer and Bible reflection will be more dramatic. There may not be the variety of food at the fellowship lunch, but the shared conversations with a hot drink or a little food\u2014and the Lord\u2019s Supper\u2014with close friends or family who care and sense God\u2019s presence, with fill you with peace, encouragement and comfort.<\/p>\n A GUIDE TO BEING CHURCH@HOME<\/strong><\/p>\n Keep it simple and enjoyable. Some may wish to simply sit and watch a Bible lesson and\/or worship service online. Others want something more\u00a0interactive and focused.<\/p>\n Options for Worship &\u00a0Bible discussion <\/strong><\/p>\n Download a Discovery Bible Reading bookmark\u2014and checkout the videos 1. Bible reading\u2014using\u00a0Discovery Bible Reading 2. Read the Gospels\u2014using\u00a0Discovery Bible Reading Videos x 5\u00a0https:\/\/www.following-jesus.com\/videos\/following-jesus\/<\/a><\/p>\n Books: Peter Roennfeldt,\u00a0Following Jesus (Signs 2017)<\/p>\n Plan to read one guide each week, and journey through the\u00a0life story of Jesus, discussing, sharing and applying. A transformational experience.<\/p>\n 3. Read Acts\u2014using Discovery Bible Reading Videos x 5 https:\/\/www.following-jesus.com\/videos\/following-the-spirit\/<\/a><\/p>\n Books: Peter Roennfeldt,\u00a0Following the Spirit\u00a0(Signs 2018)<\/p>\n Plan to read one guide each week, and journey through Acts, discussing, sharing and applying. An inspiring journey.<\/p>\n 4. Read the New Testament Epistles\u2014using\u00a0Discovery Bible Reading Books: Peter Roennfeldt,\u00a0Following the Apostles\u2019 Vision\u00a0(Signs 2019)<\/p>\n Plan to read one epistle during each week with the guide\/chapter. Challenging and inspiring.<\/p>\n BE THE CHURCH@HOME<\/strong><\/p>\n Here are some ideas that will enrich your Church@Home experience\u2014<\/p>\n 1. Meal. Plan a simple breakfast, brunch or lunch together\u2014but try to do something a little special. Eat outside or in an open space for social distancing.<\/p>\n 2. Lord\u2019s Supper. Have some flat bread (or biscuits) and grape juice on the table, and celebrate the Lord\u2019s Supper as an Agape Meal each time you meet.<\/p>\n 3. Set a time. It could be 10 am\u2014after breakfast or brunch. Also plan how long you will spend in worship\u2014don\u2019t go on-and-on. You will meet next week again.\u00a0Maybe sit outside in a garden, with space to protect all.<\/p>\n 4. Involve children, teens and youth. Engage all with age-relevant activities\u2014stories, crafts, songs; and involve all in reading and the Discover Bible Reading discussions.<\/p>\n 5. Plan for an offering. Encourage all to continue to\u00a0contribute tithes and offerings to their churches through e-giving. But, also collect an offering to support some vulnerable people that the group knows who may be finding things tough at the moment.<\/p>\n Check with a vulnerable person as to what is needed, purchase the item and let them know when you will leave it at\u00a0their door. This giving can meet the direct immediate needs of those around you.<\/p>\n 6. Music. It is great if you have some\u2014either live or streamed\u2014but, don\u2019t feel it is absolutely necessary.\u00a0And, if you can\u2019t sing\u2014don\u2019t. Maybe read a hymn or song.<\/p>\n 7. Invite neighbors. While keeping numbers small and maintaining appropriate quarantine and social distancing, many will be needing fellowship, encouragement and support. This is a time when you can be church in your community.<\/p>\n 8. Outdoor activities. Plan to walk or drive (in separate cars) to meet outdoors\u2014in a forest or park, on a beach, or around a lake\u2014to walk and share, while maintaining social distancing as required.<\/p>\n 9. Connect with others by social media. Use Facetime or Zoom conferencing to connect your small Church@HOME with others doing the same thing.<\/p>\n KEEP IT SIMPLE, EASY TO DO, RELAXED AND ENJOYABLE. Be the CHURCH<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Places of worship can be closed overnight by natural disasters, civil unrest, terrorist attacks, state decrees or negative social media campaigns. At the present time local churches are being closed to slow the devastating impact of the covid-19 pandemic, and many are choosing to self-quarantine or isolate to protect themselves and others. How will we… Continue reading
\nhttps:\/\/www.following-jesus.com\/resources\/<\/a><\/p>\n
\nChoose a Bible book to read over the coming weeks
\n\u2014Mark is a great place to start.<\/p>\n
\nJourney through the story of Jesus in sequence\u2014reading through the Gospels.<\/p>\n
\nExperience the excitement of the early church\u2014reading through Acts.<\/p>\n
\nRediscover what the early church was like\u2014as you explore these letters.<\/p>\n