SS Outline 3.23.25

Lesson 2: The Role of Biblical Theology in the Church
Objective: To understand how biblical theology shapes the church’s preaching, teaching, worship, discipleship, and mission, that church is a people united in God’s grand redemptive story.

Thought-Provoking Question: If someone asked you, ‘What is the church?’ how would you answer?”

Biblical Theology and the Church
A. The Church in the Grand Narrative

• Shows us that the church isn’t an afterthought—it’s central to God’s plan.
• The church is the people of God formed throughout Scripture:
  • In the Old Testament – Israel, God’s covenant people (Exodus 19:5-6).
  • In the New Testament – The church, the new covenant people (1 Peter 2:9-10).
  • In the Future – The gathered bride of Christ (Revelation 21:2-3).

Key Point: The church is not a new thing but the continuation and fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan.

B. How Biblical Theology Shapes the Church’s Ministries

• Preaching and Teaching
  • If we read the Bible without biblical theology, we treat sermons like moral lessons or life advice.
  • Biblical theology ensures that sermons are Christ-centered and rooted in the grand story.

Question for Discussion: How does this change the way we listen to sermons?

• Worship
  • Many songs focus on personal feelings rather than God’s grand plan.
  • Biblical theology shapes God-centered worship by reminding us that we sing as part of God’s people across history.

Question for Discussion: How can we choose songs that reflect biblical theology?

• Discipleship & Mission
  • If discipleship is just moral improvement, it misses the big picture.
  • Biblical theology reminds us that discipleship is about becoming part of God’s unfolding plan.
  • Mission isn’t just about making converts; it’s about gathering people into God’s kingdom.

Question for Discussion: How does seeing the church as part of God’s grand story change the way we think about evangelism?

Discussion & Application

• Read Ephesians 1:22-23 – What does this passage say about Christ and the church?
• How does biblical theology help us see the church as more than just a Sunday gathering?
• How does a Christ-centered view of Scripture shape our role in the church?

Closing Challenge

• This week, as you engage in worship, listening to sermons, or serving in church, ask these three things:

1. How does this activity fit into God’s big story?
2. How does it point me to Christ?
3. How does it build up the church as God’s people?

Next month, we’ll compare biblical theology vs. systematic theology and explore how both are helpful.