Download the What does the Bible say about going to church? 17 powerful truths for today
Tools & resources to make disciples in a digital age, straight to your inbox.
Fill out the form below to schedule a demo or call our sales team at
469-564-3922
What does the Bible say about going to church? Do we really have to go to church every Sunday as long as we read our Bible and pray on our own? Why is it important to gather together on a weekly basis?
These are questions many Christians have asked themselves, especially in the last few decades. Due to various factors like lifestyle changes after the COVID-19 pandemic, general cultural shifts, and younger generations deconstructing their Christian beliefs, church attendance has been on a steady decline in recent decades.
Over the last thirty years, 40 million Americans have left the church, and the median worship attendance dropped by over 50% in the last two decades alone.
But these numbers don’t tell the full story. Millennials and Gen Z are now called the “loneliest generations” of all time. Gen Z is said to be facing a “loneliness epidemic" that is extremely disconcerting.
These labels prove that younger generations today need truth, discipleship, spiritual support, and, most importantly, community. As Jesus reminds us, the harvest is truly plentiful! (Matt. 9:37-38).
And that’s exactly why the church matters more than ever. In a time when isolation is common and loneliness is on the rise, the church offers something countercultural—authentic community rooted in eternal truth.
What the Bible says about going to church should be something every believer takes seriously. It's not simply about tradition or routine—it’s about participating in the life of the Body of Christ.
Let's explore Bible verses about going to church, what they teach us, and why it’s far more than just a Sunday routine. Whether you're feeling disconnected, questioning the importance of church, or simply looking for encouragement, when we turn to Scripture we see that church is not just an obligation—it’s a vital part of God’s design for your spiritual life.
God’s Word instructs us to consistently gather together as the Body of Christ. If you’ve ever wondered what God says about going to church, look no further than Hebrews 10. This is one of the clearest Bible verses about going to church, showing that gathering is not a suggestion, but rather it’s a command rooted in love, encouragement, and spiritual growth:
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching”. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
A great Bible verse about going to church is found in Colossians 3:16. Church is where believers go to receive teaching, discipleship, admonishment, conviction, and encouragement:
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” (Colossians 3:16)
Every time you go to church, you’re not just attending a service—you’re actively participating in the building of the Church. Each believer has spiritual gifts from God to equip the Church for evangelism and ministry:
“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-13)
The church is God's training ground for navigating difficult seasons of life with faith and wisdom. Going to church helps believers be spiritually prepared through all season and circumstances, enabling us to edify our brothers and sisters in Christ:
“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” (2 Timothy 4:2)
You can't fully live out the Great Commission apart from the local church. As believers in Jesus, each member is called to evangelize and share the Gospel with others—and there’s no better place for that than being a member of a local church:
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
Godly love is counterculture, especially love that is self-giving and outward oriented. Loving one another happens in community—and when people see genuine love in action at church, it becomes a compelling witness:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)
What the Bible says about going to church is clear: spiritual growth flourishes in shared space and shared lives. By attending church every week, believers grow in their faith, spiritually mature, and are held accountable consistently by other believers:
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)
The values you model for your children today will shape their lives for years to come. Bringing your family to church doesn’t just benefit Sunday—it sets a foundation for a lifetime of following Jesus. It’s part of living out what does the Bible say about attending church:
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
In seasons of suffering or joy, your church family is called to walk with you. If you ever doubt the need to go to church, remember this: your burdens weren’t meant to be carried alone. As the body of Christ, we’re designed to lift each other up, encourage each other, and carry each other’s burdens. There’s no better place for this to happen than at church on Sunday mornings!
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
In a world full of temptations and distractions, church helps re-center our hearts on what truly matters: God’s Kingdom. Prioritizing church is a tangible way to seek His righteousness first:
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
The life of the Church is rooted in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit equips every believer with gifts—not just for personal benefit, but for the building up of the church. When we gather, the Spirit moves through us in unity for the common good. So, what does God say about going to church? He equips the Church through the Holy Spirit to work together for His glory:
“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:7)
From the very beginning, believers gathered together to receive the Holy Spirit and move in His power. In the Book of Acts, we see at Pentecost that the Holy Spirit came down upon the gathering of apostles and believers. This was the beginning of the Church, something we embody as believers today:
“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Acts 2:1-4)
Communion is a sacred part of Christian worship, and it happens in the gathered body of believers. This act reminds us of Jesus’ sacrifice and unites us in His grace:
"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Take and eat; this is my body.' Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the[a] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'" (Matthew 26:26-28)
The church is the very foundation of truth and godly living. The church isn’t just a place we go—it’s where we’re shaped into who we’re meant to be:
“Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” (1 Timothy 3:14-15)
From the beginning, believers committed themselves to teaching, fellowship, and prayer. Church attendance isn’t just a tradition—it’s a response to a biblical pattern that’s been in place since Pentecost:
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42)
Scripture promises that where two or more Christians are gathered, God is there in their midst. Not only does this demonstrate the power of community, but it shows that God's intended design for church is for us to do life together as a community:
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20)
The Church reminds us that we belong to one another. No one is meant to do the Christian life alone. Every believer is an important member of the Body of Christ with unique gifts and contributions to share:
“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” (Romans 12:4-5)
So, what does the Bible say about going to church? Scripture is clear: attending church isn’t just a good idea—it’s essential to the Christian life. From spiritual growth and biblical teaching to community support and kingdom work, the Church is where the body of Christ comes alive.
In a world of loneliness, consumerism, and confusion, the local church stands as a place of intimate belonging. Weekly gatherings may seem like a small act, but they carry eternal significance. Going to church is more than checking a box—it’s about obeying God’s Word, being transformed by community, and building God’s Kingdom while experiencing the joy of authentic community.
Whether you're wondering what the Bible says about going to church, or searching for Bible verses about going to church, one thing is clear: we’re meant to do this life of faith together.
By regularly attending and engaging with a local church, we contribute to something bigger than ourselves. We’re building God’s Kingdom through worship, service, evangelism, and discipleship as we await Christ’s return.
Over 20,000 churches use Subsplash to connect with their congregations in powerful ways. From live streaming and sermon libraries to messaging, giving, and prayer, Subsplash empowers churches to engage their people—both in person on Sundays and throughout the week.
Explore how Subsplash can support your mission and help more people grow in faith, find connection, and experience the beauty of gathering together as the Body of Christ!
© 2025 Subsplash
