Habit #5: Worship and Belong

Many today think that the Christian life is personal — it’s just you and God. The Bible presents a different picture. The focus of the Bible is God creating a community for Himself.

Church isn’t an optional extra. It’s at the very heart of God’s purpose for us.

In this habit, we’re going to explore the importance of worshiping and belonging, and how to take the next step.

Choose Your Actions

Choose one or more of the following:

• If not part of a church, find some possible good churches near you.
• Attend church every week that you’re able.
• Join a small group within the church.
• Pick someone in the church and look for a way to encourage him or her.

Suggested Resources

Find a Church

Look for a good church near you through word of mouth, by asking a trusted friend or pastor, or by using one of these directories:

• The Gospel Coalition Church Directory
• 9Marks Church Search

Books

• “A Christian without a church is a Christian in trouble.” Learn why in Rediscover Church: Why the Body of Christ Is Essential by Collin Hansen and Jonathan Leeman.
• Church is uncomfortable! In Uncomfortable: The Awkward and Essential Challenge of Christian Community, Brett McCracken helps us learn to love the church, even when it’s challenging.
• Sam Alberry’s book Why Bother With Church? outlines what church is, why we need it, and how we can move closer to what church can be.
• In Caring for One Another: 8 Ways to Cultivate Meaningful Relationships, Ed Welch helps Christians understand how to care for others through meaningful relationships within the church.
• We often don’t give thought to how to prepare for corporate worship. Tony Payne’s book How to Walk Into Church is the practical how-to guide you didn’t know you needed.

Articles

• I appreciated this article by H.B. Charles: When It’s Time to Leave a Church
• This post explains how to leave a church to the glory of God.

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