Closer Look: Ekklesia

(5–8 minutes, moderate set-up)
Learners will discuss whether the Church is a building or a group of people.

(5–8 minutes, moderate set-up)
Provide a model of a church building and several toy people.

Explain that Jesus used the Greek word ekklesia when He said that He would “build my church.” Then share the following information about ekklesia:

The Greeks used the word ekklesia to describe a group of citizens who were “called out” by a herald to an assembly concerning public affairs.
Ekklesia could also describe any gathering of people regardless of whether it was lawful.
Ekklesia means “called out,” and in the first century it always referred to the people rather than to a place or a building.
Ekklesia, therefore, describes the people throughout the world who confess Christ, not the buildings where they gather to worship.

Display the model of the church building and the people. Then ask: Between the model of the church building and the people that you see here, which one seems to match the common definition of Church today? Which model matches the biblical description? Encourage learners to adopt the biblical definition of the Church and to remember that Jesus is building a community of believers, not a collection of buildings.