What is the Holy Christian Church?
Read: Luke 17:20-21
Meditation: Before we can grasp the "communion of
saints," we first have to be familiar with who God says is the real
church. Here is first difficult teaching of this church. Here God is
describing where His real kingdom can be found; and He tells us that it
is within us. Since this is the case, we must conclude that the real
Church is invisible. In other words, only your faith in Christ makes you
a member of the Holy Christian Church, not your external connection with
your local church. Because faith is invisible, the true church is
invisible to human eyes. It can only be found in our hearts.
Prayer Starter: Heavenly Father, I pray that I have the faith
that it required to be a part of this "invisible church."
Thank You Spirit, for allowing my faith to be firm enough, and my heart
to be strong enough, to believe and have confidence in my
Savior. 
Why is the Church called "holy’?
Read: Ephesians 5:25-27
Meditation: This verse teaches us not only how Christ loved us, but
also how we love those around us. It’s about commitment to follow in
Christ’s footsteps, and love unconditionally. The true church (invisible
church) is made up of people who have committed their life to Christ,
therefore are made holy through the blood of Christ.
Prayer Starter: Jesus, help me to understand and practice commitment
the way You did. Help me to commit my entire life to You, not holding
anything back. Thank You for spilling Your blood, by which I am made holy,
through understanding the sacrifice You made, which is the work of the
Spirit.
Where is the Holy Christian Church to be found?
Read: Matthew 18:17
pg 156, q 174 of Luther's Small Catechism
Meditation: God tells us that there is a visible church, but only
when we are gathered around the means of grace. Through these meetings
(worship) we gain a certain power in our communities. The visible church is
the whole, everyone who uses the Word of God to profess the Christian faith.
Our churches are places where the true church can be found.
Prayer Starter: Lord, help me and my church bring forth the light and
testimony that will help people see the invisible church within themselves.
I understand that by the Holy Spirit’s work in my life, this is
possible.
What do scriptures teach about our life in the church?
Read: John 15:5 Acts
2:42 Matthew 7:15-16
John 20:21
Meditation: One of the toughest questions there is to answer within
our hearts is always, "Where do I fit into a church?" These
scriptures tell us on what we should do and what we should look out for.
First of all we should always seek to remain members of the invisible
church, where our hearts are truly presented to Christ. Secondly, we should
always remain faithful to the invisible church. Next, we need to make sure
we avoid the false teachers, prophets, and churches of our day. Finally, we
should always maintain and extend God’s church by telling others about
Jesus, personal service, prayer, and financial support.
Prayer Starter: Help me Father, to remain faithful in all the things
I learned above. Thank You for giving me direction and motivation to remain
faithful to Your "invisible church."
What is the Church Triumphant?
Read: Revelation 20:4
Meditation: When we talk about the Church Triumphant, we refer to
those saints who are no longer here. The church is the "whole family of
God on heaven and earth. We who are alive are connected to those who have
gone onto their reward. This verse tells us that there will be a communion
of Saints in heaven on that last day. They are a member of the same church
we are; the invisible church. Remember that the kingdom of God is already
present in our hearts and because of this we are gathered into the
"Communion of Saints" even today.
Prayer Starter: Thank You Spirit for Your work in my life, and
gathering me into this holy communion. Help me to draw strength from those
who have gone on before me, and recognize their communion in my
life.
What is the Church Militant?
Read: Philippians 3:12-16
Meditation:
Church Militant is the visible church. This doesn’t mean that we
should go to physical war with those who oppose our teaching and belief,
but we are to press on toward the goal of Christ, which is to teach the
world about Jesus’ love. We are not at war with the physical but the
spiritual; therefore, we use the word militant to help us
understand the importance of our spiritual battle.
Prayer Starter: Father, give me the strength and commitment to
follow through with Your commissioning of me. Help me always to hold on
to Your command of battling the spiritual demons that confront me
everyday. Never let me lose hope or faith in the eventual outcome of
that war.
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