Despite being Christ’s church, we are invisible to our community (and perhaps each other). We’ve often thought of our purpose (work) in terms of “evangelism, edification, and benevolence.” While these are not incorrect, this lesson encourages us to think of the church’s purpose from a different angle, by examining five parables of Jesus that teach us that the church is to be a home, influence society, valuable and a net. (Some concepts in this lesson were adapted from Seth Godin.)

1. We are
INVISIBLE!

3. We are
INVISIBLE!

11. We are
Christ’s church.

14. Buddhism
Islam
Christianity
Catholic
Orthodox
Mainline
Evanglistic
Fundamental

18. E
E
B

19. Evangelism
E
B

20. Evangelism
Edification
B

21. Evangelism
Edification
Benevolence

22. Evangelism
Edification
Benevolence

23. “Repent, for the
kingdom of heaven
is at hand.”
— Matthew 4.17

24. Are we the
church that
Jesus wants us
to be?

25. The kingdom of heaven is like...
a grain of mustard seed.

28. “I planted, Apollos
watered, but God gave
the growth.”
— 1 Corinthians 3.6

30. “so that the birds of
the air come and make
nests in its branches.”
— Matthew 13.32

31. Are we a providing a
place of rest?

32. “praising God and having
favor with all the people.
And the Lord added to
their number day by day
those who were being
saved.”
— Acts 2.47

33. The kingdom of heaven is like...
leaven

37. Are we changing
the world?

39. The kingdom of heaven is like...
treasure hidden in a field

41. The kingdom of heaven is like...
one pearl of great value

43. Do we value
God’s kingdom?

44. Do we value
the people of
God?

45. JOY

46. The kingdom of heaven is like...
a net

48. Are we casting
the net?

50. The kingdom of heaven is like...

51. Compiled and Presented by:
Dave Stewart
10 January, 2010
Las Cruces, NM
www.churchofchristmiranda.com
We Are Invisible!
Matthew 13.31-33; 44-50
Synopsis: Despite being Christ’s church, we are invisible to our
community (and perhaps each other). We’ve often thought of our purpose
(work) in terms of “evangelism, edification, and benevolence.” While
these are not incorrect, this lesson encourages us to think of the church’s
purpose from a different angle, by examining five parables of Jesus that
teach us that the church is to be a home, influence society, valuable and a
net. (Some concepts in this lesson were adapted from Seth Godin.)
“Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright
© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
“Let all that you do be done with love.”

52. Photo Credits:
Pills: h-monk: http://www.flickr.com/photos/78471072@N00/482739494/
Church building: personal photo
Satellite Images: Google Earth
Congregation: personal photo
Seed: nadaklan: iStock_000007261535Small: http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-photo-7261535-mustard-seed-in-
fingers.php
Tree in field: iStock_000005265032Small
Birds in tree: Muffet / liz west: http://www.flickr.com/photos/calliope/4116867765/sizes/l/
Leaven: iStock_000008463296Small
Salt: iStock_000000552751XSmall
Light & Earth: iStock_000003939160Small
Treasure: iStock_000008206538Small
Pearl: amboo who? http://www.flickr.com/photos/amboo213/2438643483/sizes/l/in/photostream/
Xray: Asja: http://www.flickr.com/photos/asjaboros/3021251711/sizes/l/
Net: Allie_Caulfield: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wm_archiv/3938715414/sizes/l/
Little Girl: tigr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tigr/26362667/sizes/l/