Having recently talked to a person recently about why they "don't" go to church causes this "easy" question to become a bit tricky to navigate.
I am not going to focus on the reasons why people don't go to church. What I can say is if we are going to choose to be a disciple of Jesus and follow Him, we have to understand at times we are going to be hurt by others, whether intentional or unintentional. At times we can be so easily offended that the offense gets in the way and causes a wall to go up and in some cases, a simple stone to stumble over will do that will keep a person from going to church.
Considering why it is important to go to church as a believer? A good one will be to learn how to be an unconditional loving person and being able to handle the harsh words of others. If we can't figure out how to love one another in all circumstances as believers, I seriously question how a person can love an unbeliever. The scriptures provides commands on this kind of thing which really exposes the things in us that are the problem, not always the "offender".
There are numerous scriptures to support why it is important to be with believers (inside or outside the church). Let's look at a few:
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
-- This has got to be one of the best reasons to meet together. When we get together and talk about and give praise and worship to Jesus, He gives His word that He is going to be among us.
Hebrews 10:25 Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
-- Yes, a phone call or a text message works but sometimes, encouraging another person face to face makes the encouragement more meaningful.
Acts 2:42And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
-- Come on now. Most people find it more enjoyable to break bread (have food) with other people. When I am with people of like faith and in one accord, we enjoy the fellowship and time of praying together. When alone, these things don't often happen. It should be obvious, we are called to be a praying people.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
-- This passage really implies that we need to be together to build each other up in the faith of Jesus, Messiah.
Galatians 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
-- Yes, there will be those that say a text or phone call can accomplish the same thing. Yet again, the face to face interaction, in my mind, has significantly more value.
1 Corinthians 14:26 What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.
-- This should be clear that we are to help build others up.
There are definitely more scriptures to be found that provide instruction or strongly imply the benefit of meeting together. Jesus had disciples. We are called to make disciples also. There is an implication that community is important. The miracle that occurred when Holy Spirit arrived in Acts was not the result of 1 person living a solitude Christian life. It was believers gathered together in one accord. The model of the church as community has roots that go back even prior to Jesus and His ministry. Community has roots in the Old Testament.
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