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Is Going to Church That Important?

Written by Contributing Blogger

posted on November 7, 2011 at 10:42 pm

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You may find yourself asking this question, especially when Sunday comes around: “Is going to church that important? Can’t I just read my Bible from home, or watch a Christian program on TV? Isn’t that good enough?” This is an important concern, which is why I want to address this with you.

Of course, it is always wonderful if you read your Bible on your own and have personal devotion time. The Lord encourages us spend time by ourselves and close the door to pray. But we also need a time of gathering to sharpen our character and to abide in the Lord.

The Bible tells us: “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching” -Hebrews 10:25.

It is important to grow, learn, and to have someone more mature teaching you. It is important to be a part of the community and fellowship. As we are a part of the body of Christ, we can help serve, learn, and share our gifts at church.

“... so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”-Romans 12:5

It is so important to meet, gather and worship. We must worship God in Spirit and in truth.

“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth” -John 4:23, 24.

When I was a little girl, I was involved in youth groups, church camps and Bible studies. I feel blessed to have met so many lifelong friends who truly care about me and my walk with God. I also have so many fun memories from youth camp: wake-boarding, going on houseboat trips, inter-tubing and singing during sunsets on the beautiful lake with my church. I loved the camps as a young girl.

The bottom line is, there’s always room for growth! Also, there are a ton of opportunities at church to serve, share your beautiful gifts and to build a life in the community!

You are important, and you matter! Your skills and talents can help further God’s kingdom! Whether you are good with kids, love to bake, do arts and crafts, are good with people, are creative, or just love to help…YOU ARE OF VALUE! God gave you those gifts for his glory and one way to display them is in the church.

“We all have different gifts, according to the grace given us….” -Romans 12:6

Need advice? Not sure where to start? Are your parents against attending church? Don’t fear.

1.) Pray: Ask God to soften your parents’ hearts, and for them to be open to you going to a youth group or Bible study.

2.) Get involved: Ask your church if there’s a homeless shelter you and your family can volunteer at, or if you can help in the performing arts areas, or even if they need help cleaning up! You can make new friends and have fun with your gift!

3.) See the fruit: As you grow, learn, serve, and meet people, you will find yourself bearing much fruit. (And by fruit, I mean good things-whether those are new friendships, memories, or learning!)

Girls, I encourage you to get involved in a church. God will bless you more than you will ever know! When we give him our time, tithes, or service – it is a PROMISE! He will bless you! Not only that, but it will pour into the lives around you. You will definitely see a change!

Image: Buccina Studios | Photodisc | Thinkstock

ALL COMMENTS 22

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  1. Posted by on November 8, 2011 at 07:26

    When I go to youth group, I do my church activities, worship, etcetera every Sunday… But as SOON as I am done, I run out to the two trees outside our church and scramble up into their soothing branches with my best friend Wilson, and his brother Nolan. Is this bad? Sunday is my only social time, and I mean, every one says it is ok, that if God didn’t mean trees to be climbed, He wouldn’t have given strong branches. Is this wrong that before regular church service at my church I am out side… and not technically inside?

    • Posted by on November 11, 2011 at 06:16

      I don’t think it is wrong. the church is not the building it is the people. one of the greatest benefits of church is the fellowship you can have fellowship outside or inside the church building.

    • Posted by on November 11, 2011 at 16:56

      Of course it’s OK! As long as you’re not doing anything un-Godly in the tree then it’s fine! God wants us to enjoy everything He made for us… Trees, oceans, etc. He wants us to have fun and be happy :D

  2. Project Inspired Member
    Posted by emilychrissy777 on November 8, 2011 at 08:54

    hey can you guys pray that i find a youthgroup that’s crazy about God? I’ve been searching for a church home and I come from a broken family and go to public school and most of the ones I’ve been to where cliquey and went to private school (not that there’s anything wrong with private school my best friend goes to private school and so does my sister)and most of them had families who weren’t broken. so can you pray that God can open my eyes or shows me where he wants me to go?

    • Posted by on November 11, 2011 at 14:10

      i WILL PRAY FOR YOU EMILY! I am searching for the same thing- I think I have finally found one but I have gone to 3 other youth groups before I found this one!

  3. Posted by on November 8, 2011 at 10:12

    Please check out my blog! God has called me to create a website for princesses of the world. Every girl is a princess because God is the king of kings and he says in the bible that we are his daughters! Also, he is the prince of peace and the bible says that our relationship with him is similar to a marriage! Please check it out and tell your friends about it!http://everlastingprincesses.blogspot.com/

  4. Posted by on November 8, 2011 at 15:45

    What an amazing article, Christi! I loved it! This article is for ALL to read! :D I have gone to church my whole life and never really fond meaning out of it, until recently when I dedicated my life to Jesus, got baptized and changed my life around. He is my day and night, and I try my hardest to think of everything in a Christian viewpoint. It has changed everything, and I am so glad that I have a church and that I am free to worship him. Please pray for the martyrs, (those who are persecuted for their faith)… we are so blessed to be able to openly praise God! Thanks for the article! God bless!

  5. Posted by on November 8, 2011 at 16:06

    I love going to church to be with fellow believers. [=

  6. Project Inspired Member
    Posted by NoraMarielle on November 8, 2011 at 19:16

    My friend’s family is Christian and they say they don’t need to go to Church on Sundays because they feel that it isn’t necessary, and that they worship the Lord anyways…Honestly, I think they’re just lazy. :/ It bothers me. mean honestly, it’s only one, maybe two hours out of your whole week. You spend the rest of your time eating and watching t.v. anyway. It upsets me, and I wish that they would go more often. Now I’m not saying that you have to go every week. You know, if you’re sick or you’re exhausted or you just don’t feel like going. I think that’s fine… you can always pray or watch something Christian on T.V. as worship instead. it makes me sad too that they don’t realize the wonderful community that comes with going to church. My church is amazing. Its a non denominational, non judgmental place, and the vibe there is just awesome. Everyone that works there is so cool. I’m so thankful to God for blessing me with my church. He truly helped me find my dream church :D

    • Posted by on November 11, 2011 at 16:58

      In my opinion, it’s OK for you to have your feelings about not going to church, but it sounds to me like you’re judging this family.. How do you know what their motives are? Only God does. Judging is a sin as well. Sorry if this sounds mean! Just thought I’d point it out. Best of luck!

      • Project Inspired Member
        Posted by NoraMarielle on November 12, 2011 at 22:14

        of course its okay to miss church! I miss church sometimes. They are not just some family I know… for a year i was at their house 5 days a week…i carpooled w their daughter, they’re great friends of mine. I know them quite well fyi, It just makes me have mixed feelings… They are missing out on so much love and community. And I know they are not busy, bc the mom personally told me she just doesn’t feel like going to church…

    • Project Inspired Member
      Posted by ChristinaGiven on November 14, 2011 at 01:34

      Thank you for sharing, I will be praying for you & your family :)

  7. Posted by on November 10, 2011 at 07:34

    Hey guys, I was hoping for some advice in a nonjudgmental place… my boyfriend and I have been going out for eight months, and we really like each other a lot, but there’s one thing I can’t get over- he hates church! He believes in God, but every time I mention church, he only talks about how boring he thinks it is! His mom and his sister go to church, but he only went with them one time to get free stuff. I was hoping that maybe somebody could advise me on how to open his heart up to attending Mass with me or his family. Any ideas?

    • Project Inspired Member
      Posted by ChristinaGiven on November 14, 2011 at 01:36

      Yes, PRAY. That is key, also ask God to soften his heart & show him love! Maybe ask a Youth leader if there is a fun event they are doing & share it with him. Or maybe you can go to a Christian concert sometime together sometime. I will pray for you both. God LOVES you!!

  8. Posted by on November 10, 2011 at 14:33

    Great article! If a person truly has a close relationship with God, he/she has the natural desire to be in church, to fellowship with others who love Him!

  9. Posted by on November 12, 2011 at 07:12

    Each member belongs to all the others.”-Romans 12:5Very good article. I agree that we should go to church in order to find ways to revere the Lord and to assist others. Church might not be the funnest part of the day but is the most valuable part.

  10. Project Inspired Member
    Posted by EngineeringChristsWorld on November 12, 2011 at 17:19

    My mom and I used to love our church. Then we moved to another state. We haven’t been able to find a church we feel comfortable in for a few years now. We both want to go back, but neither of us have found a place we feel at home at. Since my my is single and previously divorced, a lot of people treat her differently. You would be surprised at the number people in churches that avoid her because of it. I can’t force her to endure that! Also, I haven’t been impressed with any of the teens in the youth groups I’ve visited. The last one talked about how great jersey shore was for half an hour.

  11. Posted by on November 13, 2011 at 13:10

    I have a problem is most churches in my area. They seem to preach more about money and expansion than the Word. I do not go to a church because I personally like to worship alone in private. I attend youth group every Friday and it does feel great to be in a room full of people who love the Lord. Sometimes I do not feel comfortable worshiping around others…. Is that a bad thing? I just feel more comfortable talking to God and praying in private.

    • Posted by on November 13, 2011 at 13:11

      *I have a problem with* sorry for the typo!

    • Project Inspired Member
      Posted by ChristinaGiven on November 14, 2011 at 01:38

      Everyone has a different relationship with God that is personal. The important thing about church is fellowship & leaders who can mentor you so you may grow.Sounds like your youth group is wonderful!!! :-)