You're Going to Make Mistakes (And That's Okay)

Big Idea: Just like learning to drive, your Christian journey will have swerves, mistakes, and near-misses. But God has given you a tool to help you stay on track: the local church.

Scripture to Read:

• Hebrews 10:24-25 - Don't neglect meeting together

• Acts 2:42-47 - The first church devoted themselves to one another

• Proverbs 27:17 - Iron sharpens iron

Reflect:

• Have you ever felt like you're driving your faith journey alone?

• Do you see church as optional or essential?

• What keeps you from getting plugged into a local church?

The Truth: You're going to miss the mark. You're going to swerve. You're going to make mistakes. That's okay—it happens to all of us. But God didn't design you to walk this journey alone. He gave you the church.

What Sin Broke (And What the Church Restores)

Big Idea: When sin entered the world in Genesis, it fractured three critical connections. The church helps restore all three.

Scripture to Read:

• Genesis 3:1-24 - The fall of man and its consequences

• Romans 5:12-21 - Sin entered through one man; grace came through Jesus

• Ephesians 2:1-10 - You were dead in sin but made alive in Christ

What Sin Broke:

1. SPIRITUAL - Our Connection with God

• God is holy and cannot be around sin

• When Adam and Eve sinned, God kicked them out of the Garden

• They could no longer be with God

• The Good News: Jesus' death and resurrection restored our relationship with God!

2. RELATIONAL - Our Connection with Each Other

• The very first sin after the fall: Cain killed Abel (Genesis 4)

• Sin destroys relationships—with family, friends, and community

• We were created for connection, but sin isolates us

3. MISSIONAL - Our Purpose

• Before sin, Adam had a job: care for the earth, steward it, watch over it

• After sin, everything became chaotic and out of control

• We lost our sense of purpose and calling

Reflect:

• Which of these three areas do you struggle with most?

• How has sin affected your relationship with God? With others? With your sense of purpose?

The Church's Role: The local church exists to help restore what sin broke. As a pastor, my goal is to help you reconnect:

• Spiritually - with God

• Relationally - with other believers

• Missionally - with your God-given purpose

The Birth of the Church

Big Idea: The church wasn't a human invention—God designed it from the beginning as the way His people would grow together.

Scripture to Read:

• Acts 2:1-47 (especially verses 42-47)

What Happened: After Jesus died and rose again, Peter preached to about 3,000 people. They all believed, were baptized, and became the first church. Here's what they did:

Acts 2:42-47 - The First Church

"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."

What They Did:

1. Devoted to teaching - They learned God's Word together

2. Devoted to fellowship - They did life together

3. Broke bread together - They shared meals and communion

4. Prayed together - They talked to God as a community

5. Shared everything - They met each other's needs

6. Praised God together - They worshiped with glad hearts

7. Had favor with people - Their love attracted others

8. Grew daily - The Lord added new believers every day

Reflect:

• Does your experience of church look like this?

• What's missing in your current church involvement?

• How can you move from attending to being devoted?

Action: Read Acts 2:42-47 slowly. Circle the word "together" every time it appears. The early church did everything in community. Are you trying to do your faith alone?

Don't Neglect Meeting Together

Big Idea: God commands us not to stop gathering together because we need each other to grow.

Scripture to Read:

• Hebrews 10:24-25

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Break It Down:

• "Stir up one another" - Encourage, challenge, motivate each other

• "To love and good works" - Help each other love God and serve others

• "Not neglecting to meet together" - Don't skip church (some people were already doing this!)

• "Encouraging one another" - We all need encouragement to keep going

• "As you see the Day drawing near" - As we get closer to Jesus' return, we need the church even more

Reflect:

• Have you made church attendance optional or negotiable?

• What excuses do you use to skip church? (Too tired, too busy, don't feel like it, watching online is enough)

• How would your life be different if you were fully engaged in a local church?

The Truth: You can't grow spiritually, relationally, or missionally by yourself. God didn't design you to. You need the church, and the church needs you.

Action: If you've been skipping church or just attending casually, commit to attending consistently for the next 8 weeks. See what God does.

Two Pictures of the Church

Picture 1: Iron Sharpens Iron

Scripture to Read:

• Proverbs 27:17 - "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."

What It Means: Just like a knife gets dull without sharpening, your faith gets dull without other believers challenging you, encouraging you, and holding you accountable.

How the Church Sharpens You:

• Spiritually - Other believers challenge you to grow in your relationship with God

• Relationally - Friendships in the church teach you how to love sacrificially

• Missionally - People in the church inspire you to live out your purpose

Reflect:

• Who is sharpening you spiritually right now?

• Who are you sharpening?

• Are you isolating yourself and getting dull?

Action: Identify one person in your church who is further along in their faith. Ask them to meet with you regularly to sharpen you.

Picture 2: The Angels Circling God's Throne

Scripture to Read:

• Isaiah 6:1-3

"In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: 'Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!'"

C.S. Lewis's Insight: C.S. Lewis said the angels aren't just mindlessly chanting. As they circle God's throne, each angel sees a different aspect of God's character and glory. They call out "Holy, holy, holy!" to one another because they're sharing what they see about God.

This Is a Picture of the Church: When the church gathers, we each bring different perspectives and experiences of God:

• Someone who's served God for 60 years teaches us about His faithfulness

• Someone who's been healed teaches us about His power

• A new believer teaches us about His mercy and forgiveness

• Someone who overcame addiction teaches us about His deliverance

• Someone who lost a loved one teaches us about His comfort

Reflect:

• What have you learned about God from someone else's story?

• What aspect of God can YOU share with others?

• Are you listening to other believers' experiences, or just focused on your own?

The Point: When you're engaged in a local church, you get to see different aspects and perspectives of the God you serve. You grow spiritually because you hear what God is doing in others' lives. You grow relationally because you connect with people who share your faith. You grow missionally because people challenge you to live out your purpose.

Action: This week, ask someone in your church: "How have you seen God work in your life recently?" Listen and learn about God through their story.

Your Next Steps

If You're in Bakersfield (or wherever your church is):

1. Join a Class Learn more about God through a Bible study, theology class, or discipleship course.

Why it matters: You need to grow in knowledge of God. Classes give you structure and depth.

Action: Sign up for the next class starting at your church.

2. Join a Small Group Develop Christian friendships in a small group setting.

Why it matters: You can't build deep relationships in a large Sunday service. Small groups are where real community happens.

Action: Find a small group that meets at a time that works for you and commit to attending regularly.

3. Use Your Gifts Serve in the local church and live out your purpose.

Why it matters: God gave you gifts, talents, and passions for a reason—to build up the body of Christ and serve others.

Action: Talk to a pastor or ministry leader about where you can serve. Start somewhere—anywhere!

If You're Not in a Local Church:

1. Find a Church Look for a church that:

• Teaches the Bible faithfully

• Loves Jesus and His people

• Is actively making disciples

• Welcomes newcomers

Action: Visit 2-3 churches over the next few weeks. Ask God to show you where He wants you planted.

2. Get Plugged In Don't just attend—participate. Join a class, join a small group, and start serving.

Why it matters: Spectators don't grow. Participants do.

Action: Within your first 30 days at a new church, sign up for something—anything—to get connected.

3. Stay Committed Don't church-hop. Commit to one church and grow roots there.

Why it matters: You can't build deep relationships if you're always moving. Stability produces growth.

Action: Give your church at least 6 months before deciding if it's the right fit.

Why This Matters

You can't grow alone.

• You need spiritual input from mature believers

• You need relational connection with people who share your faith

• You need missional encouragement to live out your purpose

The church isn't perfect—it's full of imperfect people. But it's God's design for your growth. Don't neglect it. Don't skip it. Don't treat it as optional.

The local church is one of the greatest gifts God has ever given you.

Common Excuses (And Why They Don't Work)

Excuse 1: "I can worship God on my own."

• Truth: Yes, you can. But God commands you not to neglect meeting together (Hebrews 10:25).

Excuse 2: "The church is full of hypocrites."

• Truth: Yes, it is. So are you. We're all broken people being made new by Jesus.

Excuse 3: "I watch sermons online."

• Truth: That's good, but it's not enough. You need real relationships, not just content consumption.

Excuse 4: "I'm too busy."

• Truth: You make time for what matters to you. If Jesus isn't a priority, your schedule will show it.

Excuse 5: "I don't feel like I fit in."

• Truth: It takes time to build relationships. Keep showing up. Give it at least 8 weeks.

Final Encouragement

The Hebrew writer said: "Do not stop engaging in the local church."

God designed the church to help you grow. You're going to make mistakes on this journey—you're going to swerve and miss the mark. But the church is there to help you get back on track, to sharpen you, and to show you new aspects of who God is.

Find a church. Get plugged in. Stay committed.

Your spiritual, relational, and missional growth depends on it.