Think of it Like a Sports Team

Do you have to go to church to be a Christian?

No.

If you are a Christian, will you go to church?

Yes.

I could just point to the bible’s admonition to not give up meeting together [Hebrews 10:25] as why Christians should go to church. And let’s be clear: the fact that the bible says so is enough. We don’t need more than that. But, instead of just saying to meet, what if we consider why to meet.

Think of it like this.

Imagine that you are a sports franchise. It’s football season, so sports analogies are mandatory. I’m not sure what your mascot is, but you are a franchise unto yourself.

And imagine that your sport is the Christian life.

To start with, let’s consider your game field. That would be the world. The game field is where the sport is played for the entire world to see. The world is where your faith is lived out for the entire world to see.

But the game field is the last stage in the development and growth of a team. A lot of work goes into preparing a team to excel on the game field. A lot of work should go into preparing a life to live for the glory of God in the world.

Therefore, before a team takes the game field, they spend time on a practice field.

So, what would be the practice field in your Christian life? Believe it or not, it is your home.

Yes, your home.

That is where you practice loving others over and over again. Even when it is difficult; especially when it is difficult.

That is where you learn to forgive others.

It is where you develop routines that will pay dividends in the real world and for the rest of your life.

The home is much more important to your Christian life than you might imagine.

But what about church?

Where does it fit in to this analogy?

How about the training facility?

I know, there is more going on in church than just training for the Christian life. But there certainly isn’t less than that. Part of what should happen at church is training. A big part.

Bible study.

Discipleship.

Instruction on living for the glory of God.

Iron sharpening iron.

Theological training.

All of this and more.

From the pulpit, to small groups, to the friendships that are developed; they should all help the members grow and mature. The church should help prepare them to go the practice field and work on their faith.

And from there, to go to the game field. To the world. To live out the Christian life in front of everyone.

But we only do that after we have practiced: at home.

And only after we have been trained: at the church.

So, don’t give up meeting together. It is for the glory of God. And it is most definitely for your good.