Pictures of the Church-Overview
The New Testament never defines the church in a single sentence. Instead, it paints pictures. Paul calls the church a body with many members and Christ as its head. Peter calls it a flock under the Chief Shepherd, a spiritual house built of living stones, and a royal priesthood. Jesus speaks of branches drawing their life from the true vine, and John sees a bride made ready for the Lamb. Each picture was chosen for a purpose, and each shows something the others cannot.
This series of ten studies follows eight of those pictures: the body of Christ, the fellowship of the saints, the flock of God, the household and family of God, the temple and building of God, the vine and the branches, the bride of Christ, and the royal priesthood. The first study surveys all eight and shows how they fit together. A word study on the New Testament vocabulary of sharing supports the study of fellowship, and each remaining picture receives a full study of its own.
Every study is built on the text of Scripture. Key passages are quoted in full from the New King James Version, and the Greek and Hebrew words behind each picture are explained so that readers without formal training can see what the writers chose to say. Most of the pictures were first given to Israel, so the studies trace them from the Old Testament into the New. Each teaching section moves from the meaning of the text to exegetical observations, and then to implications for the local church, framed as what we should align with and what we may need to adjust. Questions for reflection and discussion close each section, so the studies serve personal reading, a class, or a congregation.
The pictures correct and complete one another. The flock reminds us that we need to be led, while the priesthood assures us that every believer may come directly to God. The household offers warmth, and the temple calls us to holiness. The vine teaches that our life comes from Christ, and the bride tells us that He loves us and calls us to be faithful. Taken together, they answer four questions every believer asks: Who is Christ to us? Who are we? How should we live? Where is the story going?
The pictures are not given only to be studied. They are given to be lived. A member serves, a partner shares, a sheep follows, a child belongs, a stone is set into the wall, a branch abides, a bride waits faithfully, and a priest offers praise. As you read, ask which of these is the next step for you and for your congregation.