Biblical Metaphors For The Church

We are given 7 specific metaphors that describe the church. I will list them and then unpack why they are practically important for us.

1. Family- The fact that the church is a family (Eph.4) should increase our love and fellowship with one another.

2. Bride of Christ- The thought that the church is the Bride of Christ should stimulate us to strive for greater purity, holiness, and intimate love for Christ and submission to him.

3. We are branches and he is the vine- should cause us to rest in him more fully.

4. Agricultural Crop- Should encourage us to continue growing and obtaining for ourselves the proper nutrients to grow for ourselves and others.

5. God's Temple- The picture of the church as God's temple should increase our awareness of God's very presence dwelling in our midst as we meet.

6. Priesthood of Believers- Seeing the church as a priesthood of believers should help us to see more clearly how God calls us each to a joint service. We are all full-time in ministry--we just get our paychecks from different sources.

7. Body of Christ- Knowing we are a body should increase our interdependence on one another and heighten our appreciation of the diversity of gifts within the body.