What does it mean to be a Congregational Christian?

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Questions for reflection or small group discussion

What does it mean to be a Congregational Christian? Matthew 16.13-16; Acts 2.42-48; Colossians 1.18

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Every Christian tradition has some distinctive. What tradition do you come from and what is its historic contribution?

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How is this a question of the second rank?

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How have we allowed our distinctives to separate us?

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How does the unity that Christ calls us to in John 17 relate to our diversity of Christian traditions?

Introduction:

I.

Faith: The p_______________ of the believer:

We are members by v__________ a__________

II.

A.

The Context

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What does voluntary association mean? Can you define Christian conversion?

B.

The Scripture: Matthew 16.13-16; 1Peter 2.9

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Who do you say Jesus is? How are we a "royal priesthood"?

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Have you made a personal and voluntary association with Jesus as your Savior/Lord and the Christian Church?

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What do we mean by the church is local?

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When we repeat the Apostle's Creed and say "holy catholic Church" what are we confessing to believe?

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How do you practice "the local church"?

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All Christian traditions would say they confess "Jesus to be the Head of the Church". How do Congregationalists practice this with distinctiveness?

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What are the strengths of this distinctive?

We are a C_____________ and seek consensus

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What are the weaknesses of this distinctive?

A.

The Context



What might be a "gift" of the congregational tradition to the larger church of Jesus Christ?

B.

The Scripture: Colossians 1.18

Fellowship: The Church is l_____________:

We are c__________ and e____________ A.

B.

III.

The Context

The Scripture: Acts 2.42-48

Freedom: J________ is the H_______ of the Church:

Conclusion: