I have been a churchgoer since before becoming a Christian. I was born into a Christian home with disciplined parents who prioritized following the path of God. Their strict upbringing ensured that we all followed their example.
To many people, church holds various meanings. For some, it’s a place of comfort, for others, it’s a place of fellowship, and yet for others, it’s a place to find a soulmate and simply for others a place where God lives and dwells.
If you’ve ever wondered why going to church is necessary, I encourage you to consider the benefits of attending church. It’s a chance to connect with God and others, to learn and grow in your faith, and to find support and encouragement in your spiritual journey.
Though there might be some benefits of going to church, the reason why you should go to church is because Christ commanded it. not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together… Heb. 10:25
Discipleship
One of the key commands of Christ is to make disciples of all nations. According to GotQuestions.org, Christian discipleship is “the process by which disciples grow in the Lord Jesus Christ and are equipped by the indwelling Holy Spirit to overcome the pressures and trials of this present life and become more and more Christlike.”
Discipleship can be achieved through learning and growing in our faith through the knowledge of God’s Word. In Ephesians 4:11-13, God has given us apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to build up His church through the Word of God. By regularly attending church, we can receive the teaching and guidance we need to grow in our faith and become more Christlike.
Additionally, being a part of a church community allows us to learn from and be encouraged by other believers who are also seeking to grow in their faith. As Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” By being in a community of believers, we can learn from their experiences, be held accountable, and be encouraged to continue growing in our faith.
Connecting with God through worship and prayer
Going to church allows us to participate in corporate worship and prayer, which is a powerful way to connect with God. As Jesus said in Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
Gathering together in church allows us to lift up our incense of worship to God corporately and to pray for one another. When we are feeling weak, attending church and praying with others can bring us strength and encouragement. Seeing the passion and enthusiasm of others as they seek the Lord can be a powerful source of inspiration when we are struggling. As 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Attending church and praying with others can also help us to overcome feelings of isolation or loneliness. As Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” In church, we can find a community of believers who support and encourage one another through the ups and downs of life.
Finding support and encouragement from other believers
Attending church is not just about connecting with God but also about connecting with other believers, who can offer us support, encouragement, and accountability in our spiritual journey. The journey of faith is not meant to be traveled alone, we need people and people need us. Though it is a personal journey, the scriptures affirm that there will come a time when we will need the help of others and there will come a time when others will need our help.
Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” By attending church, we can fulfill this biblical mandate to spur one another on towards love and good deeds. We can offer support and encouragement to our fellow believers, and in turn, receive the same from them.
Even if you do not feel like you need help, it is still important to go to church because others may need your help. By being a part of a church community, we can serve others and use our gifts and talents to bless others. As 1 Peter 4:10-11 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”
Building lasting relationships with others
Going to church also provides an opportunity to build lasting relationships with other believers. By attending church regularly, you can develop friendships and connections with people who share your faith and values. These relationships can provide support, encouragement, and accountability as you navigate through life’s ups and downs.
In Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, the Bible says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” Having strong relationships with fellow believers can help us to persevere through difficult times and share in each other’s joys.
Attending church events, small group meetings, and serving in ministries can also help to deepen these relationships. In Acts 2:42-47, we see an example of believers gathering together, sharing meals, praying together, and supporting one another.
In addition, building relationships with others in the church can provide opportunities for evangelism and sharing the Gospel with non-believers. By demonstrating love and unity within the church community, we can be a witness to others and draw them closer to God. As Jesus said in John 13:35, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Finding peace and comfort in times of trouble
Whenever I feel troubled and in need of peace, I often turn to God and ask Him to comfort me. Another way to seek solace is to attend church for worship and prayer. There have been many occasions where God has spoken to my heart in the midst of fellow believers.
The Church is the dwelling place of God, and He tabernacles within us just as He does within His Church. In times of trouble, going to church can provide comfort and peace as we seek God’s guidance and support. As Jesus said in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
Learning from the wisdom and experience of others
During my time as a secretary to my Senior Pastor, I was privileged to learn valuable life lessons from him that I hadn’t learned from anyone else. Some people have had experiences that can guide us through our own lives, and my Senior Pastor was one such person.
One of the lessons I learned from him was the importance of giving to others, regardless of their status. For instance, he would give money to widows at the end of the month, not because they lacked, but because it was a commandment from God. This taught me that giving is an act of obedience to God, and not just a response to a person’s needs.
By connecting with others in the church, we can benefit from their wealth of knowledge, wisdom, and experience. Proverbs 13:20 says, “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” When we associate with wise and godly individuals, we can learn from them and grow in our faith.
Developing spiritual disciplines and habits
Going to church regularly can help us develop spiritual disciplines and habits, such as prayer, Bible reading, and worship, which can enrich our spiritual lives.
When you attend Church regularly, you learn the benefits of subjecting your body to the things of the spirit. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:27, “I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
In conclusion, going to church is an important aspect of our Christian walk. It provides us with a platform to connect with God through worship and prayer, learn and grow in our faith through the knowledge of God’s word, receive support, encouragement, and accountability from other believers, find comfort and peace in times of trouble, and build lasting relationships with others.
As believers, we are called to be part of the body of Christ and to walk together in unity. The church is the family of God, and by gathering together, we can grow together as a family and prepare ourselves for the return of Jesus, our bridegroom.
Therefore, if you or someone you know is having doubts about going to church, remember that it is essential for our spiritual growth and development as Christians. As Hebrews 10:25 says, “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”
