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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: Why is it important for a new Christian to find a church home? What does the Bible say about it? – C.H.

A: A child can be born outside the home, and a person can become a Christian outside the church, but nurture and care are essential to the development of both. These can best be provided in the home in the case of a little baby, or in the case of a new believer in Christ inside the church.

Jesus ordained His church to provide the nurture for spiritual growth. Here we are taught to grow in the Word of God, and here we have the help of other Christians when we are tempted to stumble. The church is the storehouse of spiritual food whereby the inner man is fed, nourished, and developed into maturity. If it fails, it is not fulfilling its purpose as a church.

We need the fellowship of other believers as we learn from the preaching of God’s Word. We need the challenge and excitement of taking a public stand for Christ. The Bible does indeed teach this as vital: “Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another” (Hebrews 10:25, ESV).

The church is the family of believers. Christ died, not only for the individual, but for the church. The Bible says that Jesus loved the church and gave Himself for it (see Ephesians 5:25). Church is not for pretenders and performers. Church is a place for pastors to preach the principles of God’s truth in order to prepare believers to face the storms of life on the stage of an unbelieving world. The church is “God’s household, which is the church of the living God” (1 Timothy 3:15, NIV)

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

©2025 Billy Graham Literary Trust. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

(c)2026 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.