FULL ON FOR GOD

 

Session 19 - FAMILY (1)

 

 

Intro.  How do you define family?  -  with great difficulty!

 

1. Definitions (from the dictionary)

a.      The most instinctive, fundamental social or mating group in man & animal

b.      The union of man & woman, especially through marriage, & their offspring, parents and their children

c.      Persons related by blood or marriage, relatives, kin

d.      All the members of a household, those who share one’s house

 

2.  Biblical reference

No word in the Bible that corresponds to our nuclear family. The OT  meaning is always extended family, household, clan, kindred, tribe.

How many times is the word ‘family’ (in any sense of the word) used in the   NT?    Ephesians 3:14-15

                 Household rules Ephesians 5 & 1Peter 3

 

3. Stats

           Write them down here or get a copy of the slide

           The structure of the family changes & adapts to suit cultural contexts. 

                 History shows that. Values remain vitally important. It’s all about

                 relationships

 

4. OT examples of families

               Cain & Abel  (Genesis 4:1-15) – sibling rivalry!

               Abraham – cowardice, immorality, abuse

               Jacob & Esau – favouritism

               David – great king, lousy father

 

               Polygamy not monogamy – Genesis 2:24

 

5. NT examples

               In Jesus’ teaching being a member of God’s family always took priority over  being a member of an earthly family  - must have been hard for Mary!

 

              Jesus particularly affirmed children & gave them significance & value

              Mark 10:13-16

 

6. The family of God

              Totally inclusive – no judgmentalism

 

M.o.T  check-point

63  Am I opening my heart & home to others – especially those who live on their 

            own?

 

7. God’s example to us of family  (Gen.1:1; 3:8)    then His calling of Abram  (Gen.12)

 

    Likewise we are to be an example to others.

 

8. In order to be that example the two things most needed are grace & forgiveness and we need to be accepting of others.

 

    Here are three stages in a person’s journey into the church – in what order should we   

    place them?

 

    Believing. Belonging.   Behaving.

 

 

 

M.o.T. check-points

64   What needs to change in my attitude in order for me to see the church as my family?

65   How do I express family ties to people in the church other than my circle of  

      friends

 

66  Am I prepared to be welcoming to family units that are different to mine?

 

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