The Mystery of Grace

When you hear the word, ‘church‘ what comes to mind?  Some may think of a childhood connection with a special congregant of people.  Some will think of a physical place or a special building.  Others will process doctrines or a set of beliefs taught and upheld by a particular group of people.  To some the word brings to mind the nature and structure of a worship service.

Although answers will express great diversity, one issue of commonality will be the tendency to hold a high-level certainty about those convictions and perceptions.  Herein lies a grave danger.  When one becomes so satisfied with their comprehension of ‘church,’  it becomes a catalyst for becoming puffed up in one’s knowledge.  This, in turn produces closed minds unwilling to reevaluate or restructure one’s understanding of church.    

This lesson lays the foundation for restoring a sense of mystery to our concept of church.  Jesus and His spiritual apprentices actually used ninty-six different symbols or word pictures to define ‘church.’   Seems that perhaps they thought there was an element of mystery in the nature and purpose of the ‘church.’  Over the next few weeks we will stare at some of those paintings and seek to comprehend some of the mysterious nature of this place of grace.

Let’s look at some of that mystery…

Click on the arrow to begin this lesson.

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