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Study 15 of 18

Church Nurture: Prayer and Community

Love, unity, prayer meeting, and nurture beyond the worship hour

Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.

Synopsis

Chapter 7 opens with the good news that 'God is love' — in contrast to pagan appeasement religions and legalistic misrepresentations of God. Love and unity are the foundation of Christianity (1 John 3:14; John 13:35), and unity empowers the church (Acts 2:1). The chapter insists that love and unity are not accidental but must be nurtured, and that loving one another extends beyond sitting in the same pew on Sabbath — contact and relationship outside the worship hour is vital. It then develops prayer ministry (the priority of prayer, intercessory prayer, praying in homes), the prayer meeting (plan, study, share, pray), and the principle that 'the people hunger for the bread of life.' The elder is to prepare and lead these gatherings, making the midweek service a focal point for praise, fellowship, and prayer rather than a dry formality.

Key points

  • God is love; love and unity are the foundation and power of the church.
  • Love and unity must be nurtured — they are not accidental.
  • Loving one another extends beyond the Sabbath worship hour.
  • Prayer is the most powerful tool; prayer meeting is a focal point for praise and fellowship.
  • The people hunger for the bread of life; feed them in the midweek service.

Key texts

  • 1 John 3:14
  • John 13:35
  • Acts 2:1
  • Hebrews 10:24-25
  • Matthew 18:19-20
  1. Comprehension

    1. With what good news does chapter 7 open, and against what distortions?

  2. Comprehension

    2. What does the handbook call 'the foundation of Christianity,' and why?

  3. Scripture

    3. Read John 13:35. How does this text ground the chapter's call to nurture love?

  4. Doctrinal Clarity

    4. Why does the handbook say love and unity are 'not accidental'?

  5. Comprehension

    5. What does the chapter say about the priority of prayer?

  6. Scripture

    6. Read Matthew 18:19-20. How does this text support the prayer meeting?

  7. Comprehension

    7. What counsel is given for the prayer meeting itself?

  8. Contrast

    8. Contrast a prayer meeting that feeds the hungry with one that has become a dry formality.

  9. Scripture

    9. Read Hebrews 10:24-25. How does this text call the elder to nurture beyond the Sabbath?

  10. Application

    10. How will you lead your church to nurture love and unity outside the worship hour this quarter?