Returning to Our Roots
Teachers
Lesson Summary
The teacher opened the class by greeting the congregation and announcing upcoming church events, including the Light the Fire Lectureship and Friends Day, before posing the central question: What is the greatest need of the church today? He reflected on his recent experience at the Polishing the Pulpit convention, noting the massive attendance of over 5,000 believers and the inspirational messages about the church’s historic strength. While some speakers celebrated past glory, others warned that many Churches of Christ were experiencing numerical decline and even closing their doors, a trend echoed locally in nearby towns. Using a vivid tree analogy, the teacher argued that a church’s health depends on deep, strong roots—its biblical foundations, heritage, and mission. He linked this imagery to Acts 4:4, which records the early church’s rapid growth, and to the Pentecost account of 3,000 new believers, emphasizing that roots sustain growth through seasons and storms. He encouraged practical steps such as making parking available for visitors and inviting friends, urging longtime members to rediscover and nurture the church’s roots so that the congregation can thrive spiritually and numerically in the post‑pandemic era.
Key Scriptures
the church grew greatly, and a great number of the priests were becoming Christians or becoming believers, and the church rose to the number of 5,000