Do I Really Have to Go to Church to Follow Jesus? | Asking for a Friend | June 15, 2025

“So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord.” —Ephesians 2:19-22 NLT

1. I’ve Been Hurt By the Church - The Wounded Heart

“You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured… So they were scattered because there was no shepherd.” —Ezekiel 34:4-5 NIV

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” —John 10:11

2. The Church Feels Hypocritical or Irrelevant - The Disillusioned Spirit

“Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” —Micah 6:8

3. I Don’t Need Church to Follow Jesus - The Isolated Believer

“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another…” —Hebrews 10:25

“The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’” —1 Corinthians 12:21

“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” —Ecclesiastes 4:12

4. I’m Just Tired or Drifting - The Weary Soul

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” —Matthew 11:28

“Carry each other’s burdens.” —Galatians 6:2

Application:
1. Recommit to Community
2. Join What God is Rebuilding
3. Take One Step Today