As Christians, gathering together for worship and fellowship is an important part of our faith. But what does the Bible say about not going to church? Below are Bible verses that highlight different aspects of this issue, including the importance of community, the risks of neglecting worship, and the spiritual benefits of regular fellowship.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Church Family
The Importance of Gathering Together
Being part of a church community provides support, encouragement, and spiritual growth. The Bible emphasizes that believers should gather regularly to build one another up. Here are five verses that encourage coming together as a church.
Hebrews 10:25
“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”
Matthew 18:20
“For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
Acts 2:42
“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.”
1 Corinthians 14:26
“Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.”
Psalm 133:1
“How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!”
Accountability and Encouragement
Church provides a place for accountability, where believers can be encouraged and corrected when needed. Without regular fellowship, it becomes harder to stay on the right path. Here are some verses that highlight this aspect of gathering.
Proverbs 27:17
“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”
Galatians 6:1
“Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.”
James 5:16
“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11
“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”
Spiritual Growth and Teaching
Attending church regularly allows believers to grow spiritually through teaching and shared learning. Skipping church can lead to spiritual stagnation. Here are five verses that stress the importance of learning and growth through fellowship.
2 Timothy 3:16
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”
Colossians 3:16
“Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.”
1 Peter 2:2
“Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment.”
Ephesians 4:11-13
“Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.”
Acts 20:28
“So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.”
The Example of Jesus
Jesus Himself regularly attended worship gatherings, showing us the importance of community worship. Ignoring church attendance would be neglecting to follow His example. Here are verses that demonstrate Jesus’ commitment to communal worship.
Luke 4:16
“When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures.”
Mark 1:21
“Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue and began to teach.”
Matthew 12:9
“Then Jesus went over to their synagogue, where he noticed a man with a deformed hand.”
John 18:20
“Jesus replied, ‘Everyone knows what I teach. I have preached regularly in the synagogues and the Temple, where the people gather. I have not spoken in secret.’”
Matthew 26:55
“Then Jesus said to the crowd, ‘Am I some dangerous revolutionary, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there teaching every day.’”
Fellowship Strengthens Faith
Regular church attendance strengthens our faith through fellowship with other believers. It provides support and reminds us we’re not alone in our walk with Christ. Here are five verses that highlight the strength we find in Christian fellowship.
Romans 1:12
“When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.”
1 Corinthians 12:27
“All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.”
1 John 1:7
“But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.”
Ephesians 4:16
“He 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.”
Acts 2:46
“They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity.”
God’s Command to Worship
God commands His people to worship Him, and church attendance is one way to fulfill this. Ignoring church can be seen as disobedience to God’s call for regular, corporate worship. Here are some verses that speak to this command.
Exodus 20:8
“Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.”
Psalm 95:6
“Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker.”
Deuteronomy 12:5
“Rather, you must seek the Lord your God at the place of worship he himself will choose from among all the tribes—the place where his name will be honored.”
Leviticus 23:3
“You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of complete rest, an official day for holy assembly.”
Isaiah 56:7
“I will bring them to my holy mountain of Jerusalem and will fill them with joy in my house of prayer. I will accept their burnt offerings and sacrifices, because my Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”
The Risk of Falling Away
When we neglect gathering together, there’s a risk of falling away from faith. Regular church attendance helps keep our hearts focused on God and prevents spiritual drift. Here are some verses that warn about the danger of falling away.
Hebrews 3:13
“You must warn each other every day, while it is still ‘today,’ so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.”
1 Timothy 4:1
“Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.”
2 Timothy 4:3-4
“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.”
Matthew 24:12
“Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.”
2 Peter 2:20
“And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before.”
Church is the Body of Christ
The church is described as the body of Christ, with each believer playing a unique role. Without attending church, believers miss the chance to function within that body and contribute their gifts. Here are five verses that speak about the church as a unified body.
1 Corinthians 12:12
“The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.”
Romans 12:5
“So it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.”
Ephesians 4:4
“For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.”
Colossians 3:15
“And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”
1 Corinthians 10:17
“And though we are many, we all eat from one loaf of bread, showing that we are one body.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About the Church
What Does the Bible Say About Not Going to Church
The Bible teaches the importance of gathering with other believers, but it also shows that following God is more than just attending church. In Hebrews 10:25, it says, “Do not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encourage one another.” This verse encourages Christians to meet regularly because it helps them grow in faith, support each other, and stay strong in God. Church is meant to be a place where believers worship God together, learn from His Word, and encourage one another in love.
However, attending church is not a way to earn God’s favor or salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us that we are saved by grace through faith, not by works, so no one can boast. This means that even if someone doesn’t attend church, it doesn’t change the fact that Jesus loves them and offers them salvation. But skipping church can make it harder to stay connected with other believers, which is why the Bible encourages fellowship.
Some people think that as long as they believe in God, they don’t need to go to church. While it’s true that our relationship with God is personal, the Bible also teaches that Christians are part of a spiritual family, called the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27). Just like a body needs all its parts to work well, believers need each other to grow in their faith. Church gatherings help us stay accountable and provide opportunities to serve one another.
There are situations where someone might not be able to go to church. They may be sick, live far away from a church, or have other difficulties. In such cases, God understands. The Bible shows that God cares about our hearts more than our outward actions (1 Samuel 16:7). If someone can’t attend church but still prays, reads the Bible, and seeks to follow Jesus, God honors that.
At the same time, if a person avoids church for no real reason, they might miss out on the blessings that come from being with other believers. The Bible says that “iron sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17), meaning that Christians grow stronger when they are together. Worshiping alone is good, but worshiping with others can bring joy and encouragement that we can’t find on our own.
In the end, the Bible invites us to see church not as a burden but as a gift. It’s a place where we can worship God, learn His Word, and find support when life gets tough. If we truly love God, we will want to be with others who love Him too. While going to church is not what saves us, it does help us grow in faith and live out the love God calls us to show.
God is always with us, whether we are in a church building or not. But gathering with others who follow Him helps us stay close to Him and reminds us that we are not alone on this journey.