HOW TO START A HOME CHURCH IN CHINA
Introduction
This booklet contains easy to follow instructions on starting a house church
in your home.
The instructions are divided into 3 sections:
Worship
Bible Study
Ministry.
Bible verses are used to help you check the Bible for more information. For
example, Hebrews 10:25 refers to the Book of Hebrews, chapter 10 and
verse 25.
If you have any questions or need more information, you may send a email
in English to [email protected] or a email in Chinese to
[email protected].
You can also send us a letter to Church of Christ, Pasir Panjang P.O. Box
74, Singapore 911123.
We will answer every email or letter and would be delighted to hear from
you.
If you have internet access, please come to www.ppcoc.org as we have
more helpful information at the resource centre for you to download.
It is my prayer that the Lord will bless you in your service to Him.
Worship
PREPARATION
The first thing to do in starting a house church in your home is to seek the cooperation
of your household. Share your idea with them and get their support to
Allow you to use your house for the Lord's work: worship, Bible study & ministry
Join you in worship, Bible study & ministry.
Next, take your plans to the Lord in prayer and ask Him for His blessings.
If there are other Christians living near your home, talk to them about it. If they agree
with you in starting a house church, get them to pray with you.
GETTING THINGS READY
First, you need to prepare a room to be used for worship.
Next, set a time on Sunday for the worship. Be sure to choose a time that you can be
free every Sunday.
You will also need Bibles and song books. If you do not have these, please send us a
letter or email and we will help you get these.
Finally, you will need a cup of grape juice and a piece of bread for the Lord's Supper.
When Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-26), the bread He used
was unleaven bread. Unleaven bread is easy to make, using flour and water.
THE FIRST WORSHIP
On the Sunday of your first worship, it will be a good practice to start on time. If you are
expecting others outside your family to attend, you should be ready to receive your
guests before the time you have set.
After everyone is seated, the male Christian will welcome everyone and it will be good to
start with a prayer, asking God to bless the time of worship. Matthew 21:13 - My house
shall be called the house of prayer.
A passage from the Bible may be read. The book of Psalms is a good book to read
from as it is the worship book of the Bible. Acts 2:42.
This may be followed by singing some songs together. I Corinthians 14:15.
This may be followed with a lesson from the Bible by a Christian and partaking the
Lord's Supper. Acts 20:7.
Finally, just like the early Christians, a contribution may be taken. 1 Corinthians 16:2.
It should be noted:
The Bible teaches that the worship of the church is to be conducted by male Christians.
1 Corinthians 14:34-35 says: Let the women keep silence in the churches: for it is not
permitted unto them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as also saith the law. And if
they would learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home: for it is shameful
for a woman to speak in the church.
The Lord's Supper and giving are for Christians only. Those who are not Christians are
not expected to give or partake the Lord's Supper.
Everyone is invited and welcome to take part in the rest of the worship.
A SAMPLE WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Welcome
Opening Prayer
Scripture passage
Songs
Preaching
Lord's Supper
Giving
Closing Prayer
NOTES
To make unleavened bread, follow this recipe: mix 3/4 cup water with 1/2 cup flour.
Then break apart in pieces and flatten. Bake or fry until edges are brown, about 15
minutes.
To download Bible, Songs and other helpful materials, log on to:
www.ppcoc.org/chinese/resources/
Keep up the worship every Sunday. If you are out of town, it will be good to arrange
another person to keep the worship service going.
After the worship is running smoothly for a few months, it is good to take the second
step, starting a Bible study.
Bible Study
BIBLE TEACHING
The Bible is our guide in everything that we do for the Lord. Psalm 119:105 - Thy word
is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
At the end of our lives, we will be judged by it (Revelations 20:12).
We must study the Bible to grow in faith. 1 Peter 2:2 - As newborn babes, desire the
sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.
Every Christian must study the Bible to be approved of God. 2 Timothy 2:15 - Study to
shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly
dividing the word of truth.
The early church devoted themselves to the teaching of the Bible (Acts 2:42)
HOW TO START A BIBLE STUDY
After the worship has been running smoothly for a few months, it is time to start a Bible
study in the house church.
Depending on the number of people attending, you may want to have 1-4 classes
Children's Bible Class
Youth Bible Class
Ladies' Bible Class
Men's Bible Class
You can get lessons for the Bible class from www.ppcoc.org or by writing to the address
in the introduction page. Members of the Church of Christ in Singapore will also be
happy to visit you and help you get these classes started.
Men can teach any of the 4 classes. Ladies can teach all the classes except the men's
Bible class.
It is good to set an hour for these classes. A good time to schedule it is after the
worship.
OTHER BIBLE STUDY
Besides the Bible classes on Sunday, according to the need and opportunity, it is good
to have another Bible study session on another day of the week.
This could be conducted in the evening on a week day or on a Saturday morning,
afternoon or night.
Depending on the time of the session and the number of people who attends your house
church, you may want to have anything from 1-4 classes. For example if it is held on
Saturday morning, it will be good to have a children's Bible class. However if it is held at
night, perhaps one adults class will be more suitable.
Because there is no worship, the session can be longer. A recommended time is 90
minutes.
This session can be a study of a book from the Bible, a chapter each week.
Recommended books are John, Acts, Romans, Ephesians and I John.
This session should be opened to all, and those who come on Sunday can invite their
family and friends.
NOTES
We cannot teach what we do not know. Teachers for the Bible studies must first read
the Bible and undserstand it before they can teach others.
The Church of Christ in Singapore can provide short term training from a few weeks to 6
months to anyone who wants to be trained. Please email or write to the address on the
introduction.
When you start a regular worship and Bible study in your house, you are doing what
many of the early Christians have done. Romans 16:5 - Likewise greet the church that
is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto
Christ.
We want you to know that you are not alone and we are available to assist you in every
way. Please keep in touch with us.
Ministry
If you have started a worship or Bible study, you have done well.
If that is all you can do, keep doing it.
However, if you can add ministry to worship and Bible study, it will enable you to grow in
faith and effectiveness.
2 Timothy 4:5 - But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an
evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
There are many areas of ministry, these 5 areas will be a good place to start. You can
add more as you are able or see the need.
1. GIVING
When you started worship in your house, one of the things you do in worship is to give
to the Lord.
The money you collected must be accounted for and used for gospel work
Help to maintain the cost of worship, Bible study and ministry
Help needy members and others in need (Acts 4:35).
It is good to select 2 or more persons count the money given every Sunday, and give a
record of both income and expenditure.
2. CHURCH MEETING
Besides worship and Bible study, it is good for the church to come together once a
month to discuss the work of the house church.
Men should take the lead, but women can participate by giving suggestions or asking
questions.
One of the things that you should do in this meeting is to report the total amount of
giving collect, expenses and balance. You can also discuss what to do with this money.
Another important matter to discuss is the attendance. Is it increasing? Is anyone ill
and should be visited?
The best way to decide on matters at this meeting is by consensus. If the majority is in
favour of a decision, then it is good to proceed.
3. NEWSLETTER
It is good to print out a newsletter once a month or a week.
This newsletter can include the giving, expenses, attendance and a short article.
For samples of a newsletter, go to www.ppcoc.org. You may want to adopt some of the
features for your newsletter.
File a copy for reference as it will be a good source of history in later years.
Also, you can use the newsletter to invite your friends and neighbours to join you at
worship or Bible study.
4. VISITATION
It is good for the church to visit those who have attended the worship and Bible study.
When you go into the homes of these people, you show them that you are concern
about them, not just their salvation.
You will also be able to see their needs and help them if you can.
If they have any Bible questions, you can use the visit to answer them. Sometimes they
will not ask in worship or Bible study, but will ask when no one is around.
Before you leave, say a prayer for this person and his family.
Acts 2:46 - And day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and
breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart.
5. FELLOWSHIP
Fellowship is a time when the house church gets together to get to know one another
better, and to enjoy each other.
A simple fellowship is for everyone to bring some food, so that after worship or Bible
study, we all can eat together.
Another form of fellowship is an outing - going to a park or some place. It is good when
you do so, to invite your friends and family too so that they may get to know Christians.
You can use the giving at worship to help pay for some of the cost of these fellowship.
Acts 2:42 - And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and
in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Introduction
This booklet contains easy to follow instructions on starting a house church
in your home.
The instructions are divided into 3 sections:
Worship
Bible Study
Ministry.
Bible verses are used to help you check the Bible for more information. For
example, Hebrews 10:25 refers to the Book of Hebrews, chapter 10 and
verse 25.
If you have any questions or need more information, you may send a email
in English to [email protected] or a email in Chinese to
[email protected].
You can also send us a letter to Church of Christ, Pasir Panjang P.O. Box
74, Singapore 911123.
We will answer every email or letter and would be delighted to hear from
you.
If you have internet access, please come to www.ppcoc.org as we have
more helpful information at the resource centre for you to download.
It is my prayer that the Lord will bless you in your service to Him.
Worship
PREPARATION
The first thing to do in starting a house church in your home is to seek the cooperation
of your household. Share your idea with them and get their support to
Allow you to use your house for the Lord's work: worship, Bible study & ministry
Join you in worship, Bible study & ministry.
Next, take your plans to the Lord in prayer and ask Him for His blessings.
If there are other Christians living near your home, talk to them about it. If they agree
with you in starting a house church, get them to pray with you.
GETTING THINGS READY
First, you need to prepare a room to be used for worship.
Next, set a time on Sunday for the worship. Be sure to choose a time that you can be
free every Sunday.
You will also need Bibles and song books. If you do not have these, please send us a
letter or email and we will help you get these.
Finally, you will need a cup of grape juice and a piece of bread for the Lord's Supper.
When Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-26), the bread He used
was unleaven bread. Unleaven bread is easy to make, using flour and water.
THE FIRST WORSHIP
On the Sunday of your first worship, it will be a good practice to start on time. If you are
expecting others outside your family to attend, you should be ready to receive your
guests before the time you have set.
After everyone is seated, the male Christian will welcome everyone and it will be good to
start with a prayer, asking God to bless the time of worship. Matthew 21:13 - My house
shall be called the house of prayer.
A passage from the Bible may be read. The book of Psalms is a good book to read
from as it is the worship book of the Bible. Acts 2:42.
This may be followed by singing some songs together. I Corinthians 14:15.
This may be followed with a lesson from the Bible by a Christian and partaking the
Lord's Supper. Acts 20:7.
Finally, just like the early Christians, a contribution may be taken. 1 Corinthians 16:2.
It should be noted:
The Bible teaches that the worship of the church is to be conducted by male Christians.
1 Corinthians 14:34-35 says: Let the women keep silence in the churches: for it is not
permitted unto them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as also saith the law. And if
they would learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home: for it is shameful
for a woman to speak in the church.
The Lord's Supper and giving are for Christians only. Those who are not Christians are
not expected to give or partake the Lord's Supper.
Everyone is invited and welcome to take part in the rest of the worship.
A SAMPLE WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Welcome
Opening Prayer
Scripture passage
Songs
Preaching
Lord's Supper
Giving
Closing Prayer
NOTES
To make unleavened bread, follow this recipe: mix 3/4 cup water with 1/2 cup flour.
Then break apart in pieces and flatten. Bake or fry until edges are brown, about 15
minutes.
To download Bible, Songs and other helpful materials, log on to:
www.ppcoc.org/chinese/resources/
Keep up the worship every Sunday. If you are out of town, it will be good to arrange
another person to keep the worship service going.
After the worship is running smoothly for a few months, it is good to take the second
step, starting a Bible study.
Bible Study
BIBLE TEACHING
The Bible is our guide in everything that we do for the Lord. Psalm 119:105 - Thy word
is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
At the end of our lives, we will be judged by it (Revelations 20:12).
We must study the Bible to grow in faith. 1 Peter 2:2 - As newborn babes, desire the
sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.
Every Christian must study the Bible to be approved of God. 2 Timothy 2:15 - Study to
shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly
dividing the word of truth.
The early church devoted themselves to the teaching of the Bible (Acts 2:42)
HOW TO START A BIBLE STUDY
After the worship has been running smoothly for a few months, it is time to start a Bible
study in the house church.
Depending on the number of people attending, you may want to have 1-4 classes
Children's Bible Class
Youth Bible Class
Ladies' Bible Class
Men's Bible Class
You can get lessons for the Bible class from www.ppcoc.org or by writing to the address
in the introduction page. Members of the Church of Christ in Singapore will also be
happy to visit you and help you get these classes started.
Men can teach any of the 4 classes. Ladies can teach all the classes except the men's
Bible class.
It is good to set an hour for these classes. A good time to schedule it is after the
worship.
OTHER BIBLE STUDY
Besides the Bible classes on Sunday, according to the need and opportunity, it is good
to have another Bible study session on another day of the week.
This could be conducted in the evening on a week day or on a Saturday morning,
afternoon or night.
Depending on the time of the session and the number of people who attends your house
church, you may want to have anything from 1-4 classes. For example if it is held on
Saturday morning, it will be good to have a children's Bible class. However if it is held at
night, perhaps one adults class will be more suitable.
Because there is no worship, the session can be longer. A recommended time is 90
minutes.
This session can be a study of a book from the Bible, a chapter each week.
Recommended books are John, Acts, Romans, Ephesians and I John.
This session should be opened to all, and those who come on Sunday can invite their
family and friends.
NOTES
We cannot teach what we do not know. Teachers for the Bible studies must first read
the Bible and undserstand it before they can teach others.
The Church of Christ in Singapore can provide short term training from a few weeks to 6
months to anyone who wants to be trained. Please email or write to the address on the
introduction.
When you start a regular worship and Bible study in your house, you are doing what
many of the early Christians have done. Romans 16:5 - Likewise greet the church that
is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto
Christ.
We want you to know that you are not alone and we are available to assist you in every
way. Please keep in touch with us.
Ministry
If you have started a worship or Bible study, you have done well.
If that is all you can do, keep doing it.
However, if you can add ministry to worship and Bible study, it will enable you to grow in
faith and effectiveness.
2 Timothy 4:5 - But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an
evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
There are many areas of ministry, these 5 areas will be a good place to start. You can
add more as you are able or see the need.
1. GIVING
When you started worship in your house, one of the things you do in worship is to give
to the Lord.
The money you collected must be accounted for and used for gospel work
Help to maintain the cost of worship, Bible study and ministry
Help needy members and others in need (Acts 4:35).
It is good to select 2 or more persons count the money given every Sunday, and give a
record of both income and expenditure.
2. CHURCH MEETING
Besides worship and Bible study, it is good for the church to come together once a
month to discuss the work of the house church.
Men should take the lead, but women can participate by giving suggestions or asking
questions.
One of the things that you should do in this meeting is to report the total amount of
giving collect, expenses and balance. You can also discuss what to do with this money.
Another important matter to discuss is the attendance. Is it increasing? Is anyone ill
and should be visited?
The best way to decide on matters at this meeting is by consensus. If the majority is in
favour of a decision, then it is good to proceed.
3. NEWSLETTER
It is good to print out a newsletter once a month or a week.
This newsletter can include the giving, expenses, attendance and a short article.
For samples of a newsletter, go to www.ppcoc.org. You may want to adopt some of the
features for your newsletter.
File a copy for reference as it will be a good source of history in later years.
Also, you can use the newsletter to invite your friends and neighbours to join you at
worship or Bible study.
4. VISITATION
It is good for the church to visit those who have attended the worship and Bible study.
When you go into the homes of these people, you show them that you are concern
about them, not just their salvation.
You will also be able to see their needs and help them if you can.
If they have any Bible questions, you can use the visit to answer them. Sometimes they
will not ask in worship or Bible study, but will ask when no one is around.
Before you leave, say a prayer for this person and his family.
Acts 2:46 - And day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and
breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart.
5. FELLOWSHIP
Fellowship is a time when the house church gets together to get to know one another
better, and to enjoy each other.
A simple fellowship is for everyone to bring some food, so that after worship or Bible
study, we all can eat together.
Another form of fellowship is an outing - going to a park or some place. It is good when
you do so, to invite your friends and family too so that they may get to know Christians.
You can use the giving at worship to help pay for some of the cost of these fellowship.
Acts 2:42 - And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and
in breaking of bread, and in prayers.