Notes
As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it.
2 Corinthians 6:1
for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Philippians 1:5-6
God invites us to be partners in His mission, not spectators. Partnership means we don’t drift through life but live intentionally, joining with others to make an eternal difference. The Greek word for “partners” refers to shared investment, shared purpose, and shared work.
A church isn’t just a gathering of people. It is a family committed to the same mission: spreading the Good News of Jesus and helping people grow in Him. This is why we at Valorous Church use the word partnership rather than membership. Membership implies attending; partnership implies participating. We partner with God and with one another to prepare environments where lives can be changed, and we walk with people on their spiritual journey. This is what it means to live life on mission.
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns… I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
Philippians 1:6, 9-11
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Ephesians 2:10
Partnership develops us personally; it grows us when we get into God’s Word, develop the fruit of the Spirit, mature spiritually, discover and use our spiritual gifts, and obey the nudges of the Holy Spirit. God starts the good work, and God sustains it, but we steward it. When He calls us into something, He equips us for it.
Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be… Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
Matthew 6:21, 33
Partnership impacts eternity; it matters because it has eternal value. A true partner lives for what will last forever: people coming to Jesus. Lives being transformed. Faithful stewardship will be rewarded by God. When we partner with His Church, we invest in eternity.
Group Questions
- What does the word partnership mean to you when you think about your role in the local church?
- How has being part of the local church helped you grow personally or spiritually?
- Where do you see God inviting you to participate rather than just observe?
- What does it look like for us to invest in things that have eternal value this week?
Prayer
Thank you for inviting us to partner with you and with your Church. Help us live with purpose, steward the gifts you’ve given us, and invest in what matters for eternity. Strengthen our hearts to seek your Kingdom first in everything we do.