Rev Bill

Purpose 2 in Rick Warren’s book The Purpose Driven Life is:

You Were Formed For God’s Family

Warren continues this idea in day 17 — A Place To Belong. Beginning with the sentence:

You were called to belong, not just believe.

Warren devotes day 17 to discussing the need to be active in a local expression of the family of God — a local Church. He gives 6 reasons for why you need to be a part of a Church family:

1. A Church family identifies you as a genuine believer.
You can’t claim to be a follower of Christ if you are not committed to a local group of believers — a local Church.

2. A Church family moves you out of self – isolation.
The local Church is the place you learn how to act in ways that show God’s love to others. It’s the place you learn what it means to put Christian actions to words.

3. A Church family helps you develop spiritual muscle.
Participation in a local Church helps you develop your ability to pray, serve others, and fellowship together.

4. The Body of Christ needs you.
The local Church is the particular place where you can serve God and others. Your gifts are needed.

5. You will share in Christ’s mission to the world.
Christ works through the gifts of His people. When you are part of a local Church, your gifts combine with the gifts of others to show the love of Christ to the world.

6. A Church family will keep you from backsliding.
No one is immune from temptation. A Church family can keep you from giving in to the temptations you face every day.

If you do not have a local Church family, I urge you to find one! It’s the place you belong!

Lord — Help me to find a local family of believers — a local Church. Help me to become active, sharing my gifts, so Your work can be done and I can grow as Your disciple. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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