Ordo: The MCA Weekend Experience

In establishing Christian faith practices we are instructed to meet together regularly. Hebrews 10:24-25

The question, “What are we to do when we regularly meet?” has been a huge topic of discussion for at least 1,800 years.
• Didache, 80-150 AD in Syria
• Didascalia Apostolorum, 230 AD in Syria
• Apostolic Church-Ordinance, 300 AD in Egypt
• Apostolic Tradition, 3rd or 4th century in Syria
• Canons of Hippolytus, 336-340 AD in Egypt
• Testamentum Domini, 5th century, in Syria
• Canons of the Apostles, 4th century, in Syria

All of these writings, and many more, include components of Church Orders and, because of their commitment to the Latin language, were called “Ordo.” Ordo, in Latin, means series, row, order.

Today we begin the “Ordo: The MCA Weekend Experience” teaching series as an investigation into the why and how of our meeting together regularly.

In all MCA Church experiences and in each service component we eagerly desire to hear the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 14:12, Revelation 2:7

We have selected one hour and fifteen minutes as our service length in which we include five components.

• Celebration Leviticus 23:1
• Contribution Luke 11:42 and Matthew 6:2-4
• Connection Acts 2:42
• Communication 2 Timothy 4:2
• Consecration Psalm 42:2

The Ancient Church Orders have become known as “living literature” because they were updated and amended generation after generation, mixing ancient parts with materials from contemporary uses.

Our goal is for these five components to become living literature in us as a group and individually every Saturday and Sunday.

MCA Church LIFE Groups

Quick Review

Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything that particularly caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?

My Story

1. What reasons do you give when you fail to meet together regularly with your segment of Jesus’ Church? Hebrews 10:24-25

2. When you first became a participant in Christian weekend services, which one of the five components was most helpful and encouraging to you?

3. Has that changed with time?

Digging Deeper

1. From Genesis 1 we immediately understand that God is orderly, loves order, and transforms chaos into order. In what way do you personally need God’s transformative power to change chaos into order?

2. Who is the agency by which God brings order? Genesis 1:2

3. What was the Apostle Paul trying to accomplish in 1 Corinthians 14:26-40?

4. Could 1 Corinthians 14:40 be correctly said of your life?

5. In which of the five service components do you most often hear the Holy Spirit speaking to you? Will you share an example?

Taking It Home

1. Looking back over your notes, which of the five service components do you want to increase in your life so that it is living literature to you and your friends?
2. Prayer Needs:
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