Understanding Ekklesia
The Company of the Committed
How To Use The Study Starter Effectively
What Are Study Starters?
Study Starters are the notes developed from Good Morning Ekklesia, streamed weekdays at 7:05 a.m. from The Ekklesia Center’s Facebook page. We call these Study Starters because they are provided to lay a basic foundtion for believers to pursue deeper study on the subject presented. Each Study Starter includes the videos and the corresponding notes.
Study Starters are the notes developed from Good Morning Ekklesia, streamed weekdays at 7:05 a.m. from The Ekklesia Center’s Facebook page. We call these Study Starters because they are provided to lay a basic foundtion for believers to pursue deeper study on the subject presented. Each Study Starter includes the videos and the corresponding notes.
What is taught in the Study Starters?
You will find some foundational themes reoccurring in these STUDY STARTERS. The first is the emphasis on what Jesus actually said at Caesarea Philippi. He declared that based upon the revelation of who He is, He would build His ekklesia – not church (Matthew 16:18). The English word church found in most bibles is a mistranslation of Greek word ekklesia. They are two different words with two different histories and meanings. Therefore, many of these STUDY STARTERS will attempt to show how this mistranslation has impacted the Body of Christ. The believers will have an opportunity to discover how to live what Jesus actually intended for them.
You will find some foundational themes reoccurring in these STUDY STARTERS. The first is the emphasis on what Jesus actually said at Caesarea Philippi. He declared that based upon the revelation of who He is, He would build His ekklesia – not church (Matthew 16:18). The English word church found in most bibles is a mistranslation of Greek word ekklesia. They are two different words with two different histories and meanings. Therefore, many of these STUDY STARTERS will attempt to show how this mistranslation has impacted the Body of Christ. The believers will have an opportunity to discover how to live what Jesus actually intended for them.
What doctrines are taught in the Study Starters?
There are two foundational doctrines in scripture. First, and foremost are the doctrines of Christ (Hebrews 6:1-6), and Apostolic doctrine (Acts 2:42). Doctrine should never divide the Body of Christ, but should provide a foundation for effective living in the Word of God (2Timothy 3:16). We believe that all doctrine is based on five values that guide the Lord’s ekklesia. They are:
There are two foundational doctrines in scripture. First, and foremost are the doctrines of Christ (Hebrews 6:1-6), and Apostolic doctrine (Acts 2:42). Doctrine should never divide the Body of Christ, but should provide a foundation for effective living in the Word of God (2Timothy 3:16). We believe that all doctrine is based on five values that guide the Lord’s ekklesia. They are:
- The Lordship of Jesus Christ
- The priesthood of all believers
- The full expression of the Holy Spirit
- Covenant Relationships
- No one lacks among us
How are the Study Starters taught?
We learn by discovery. Study with other believers. Gather from house to house with other believers. Although there are no specific directives indicating how we should gather, biblical evidence shows that the smaller intimate gatherings in homes was normative in the first century. Historically, gathering in dedicated buildings did not exist in any meaningful way until the fourth century. The negative impact of leaving the simplicity of gathering in homes to the complexity of gathering in buildings can be traced back to this fourth century switch. The Ekklesia Center advocates that believers gather in homes, or in small groups.
We learn by discovery. Study with other believers. Gather from house to house with other believers. Although there are no specific directives indicating how we should gather, biblical evidence shows that the smaller intimate gatherings in homes was normative in the first century. Historically, gathering in dedicated buildings did not exist in any meaningful way until the fourth century. The negative impact of leaving the simplicity of gathering in homes to the complexity of gathering in buildings can be traced back to this fourth century switch. The Ekklesia Center advocates that believers gather in homes, or in small groups.
How do I host a Study Starter in my home?
If you are a believer, and desire to host a Study Starter group, we recommend that you take the following 7 steps:
If you are a believer, and desire to host a Study Starter group, we recommend that you take the following 7 steps:
- Pray. Know that you are being directed by the Holy Spirit to pursue these studies
- Set aside and commit to seven consecutive weeks to to complete a series.Plan on reviewing five vides and the correstponding notes over the seven weeks you gather. When the notes aren't avaiable, use the Study Starter Study Guide.
- Use the first week you gather to fellowship and to give an overview of the Study Starter series. Encourage everyone to watch the videos and read through the notes, and be ready to share what the Lord may have shown them.
- The next five weeks should be spent discussing and learning the material from each other. No one person should teach. Always encourage all those participating to review the material and to come prepared to share their insights.
- Share a meal. This can be food provided by the host, or a potluck. Eating together help to build covenant.
- The Lord's Table should be shared at each gathering. Use The Lord's Table booklet as a resource to help you with this.
- The seventh week should be spent summarizing what you have discovered.