The universal church is the Body of Christ composed of all Christians throughout the world. As children of God we belong to the family of God and His family is the church. The local church is the body of Christ composed of Christians that live in the same proximity who collectively and regularly meet to worship and serve the Lord in truth and in spirit. Jesus Christ gave Himself for the church. He is the head of the church, we the members of the church comprise the body. Jesus Christ is also the Bridegroom. We are His spiritual building, the church. We are its super structure. When we are born again we become members of the Universal church for we are baptized into His body, the church. The Word of God declares that we should attend and support His local church and serve in its multiple ministries.

Focus

Read:
Ephesians 5:22-30 Christ loves the church, His body.
Colossians 1:15-18 Jesus is the Head of the body.
Romans 12:4-5 One body in Christ.
II Corinthians 11:1-3 Jesus Christ our Bridegroom.
Ephesians 5:30-32 Joins spiritually to Jesus Christ as one.
Revelation 19:7-10 The marriage of the Lamb.
I Corinthians 3:9-11,16 We are His building, He is the foundation.
Ephesians 2:19-22 We are the habitation of God?s spirit.

Scripture Assurance: Hebrews 12:23-24 "To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect. And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel."

Scripture Memory: Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it.