A Family to Belong

Main Thought

All families have ties that unite them. It can be through blood relation, marriage, adoption, or some other deep connection. God’s Church is a family too. The church family spans denominations and ethnicities, breaking down barriers and boundaries to unify Christians across history. What connection do we share? We share faith in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, whose sacrifice makes us right with God. God the Father adopts us into His family, and the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in every believer. The connection we share is rooted in the deepest part of our beings. We should therefore strive to love one another, include one another, and build with one another.

Main Passages

19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

- Ephesians 2:19-22

12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

- John 1:12-13

14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

- Romans 8:14-16

Discussion Questions

  1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought or Passages above?

  2. The following three statements are powerful truths about our place as the family of God. Which one is most impactful for you, and why?

    1. We were dead, but now we live.

    2. We were separated, but now we’re included.

    3. We were foreigners, but now we’re family.

  3. How can viewing yourself as a son or daughter of God change the way you interact with people?