(Colossians 1:18 NLT) Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body.

(Ephesians 4:16 NLT) He (Jesus) makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

(Exodus 18:23 NIV) If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.

(Acts 5:42 NIV) Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

(Ephesians 4:11-12 NLT) 11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

(Romans 12:2 NLT) Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.