Icebreaker: Share some of your favorite family memories. Share some of your goals for your family. Going deeper Read: 1 John 3:1-24 Pastor Harv highlighted three elements of the Christian family on Sunday: Justification, Sanctification and Walking What is justification? (verse 1 – adopted) How does it occur? (John 3:16) Why is this an important […]
Icebreaker:
Share some of your favorite family memories.
Share some of your goals for your family.
Going deeper
Read: 1 John 3:1-24
Pastor Harv highlighted three elements of the Christian family on Sunday: Justification, Sanctification and Walking
What is justification? (verse 1 – adopted)
How does it occur? (John 3:16)
Why is this an important element of being part of God’s family? (Romans 5:1)
What is sanctification? (verse 2 – made like him (in the future and in the present through the Spirit))
How does it occur? (Acts 2:38)
Why is it important for God’s children to be sanctified? (verse 9)
What does “walking” in the faith mean? (verse 3)
How does it occur? (verse 16)
Why is it important to walk in the faith? (verses 7-8)
To learn and develop these elements of faith God has blessed us with the concept of family. We are joined to God’s eternal family through his Son, and we are instructed and guided by the Spirit as we enjoy and come to love the Father like he loves us. The church is God’s family, his bride. And while the bride might be imperfect, she is cared for and preserved by the power of Jesus Christ. She is made righteous and strengthened by his hand so that she may equip and train the children of God to do His will.
How do we know that someone is part of God’s family?
How do we know that someone is not part of God’s family?
Are you part of God’s family?
Does your life reflect your belief… or do you live in dissonance and confusion?
God also established the nuclear family in the beginning to “train a child in the way that he should go.(Proverbs 22:6)” Families protect, discipline and sacrifice. In this safe setting, children learn: forgiveness, love, encouragement, friendship, respect and fortitude.
How is forgiveness expressed in the Bible? (Ephesians 4:32)
Love? (1 John 3:16)
Encouragement? (Hebrews 10:24)
Friendship? (Romans 12:10)
Respect? (1 Peter 2:17)
Fortitude? (James 1:2-4)
How do these biblical definitions differ from the worldly definitions?
How has the world set itself against biblical family and principles?
1 John 3:1-3 remind us that the world will not understand or support God’s family.
How do we find hope, strength and purpose in this difficulty?
How can you influence the world through biblical family?
Pastor Harv advocated prayer and intentional study of the word as a family
How would this practically look for your family?
Reflect:
How can you be an intentional and active member of God’s family this week?
Pray for God to do away with the sins of your life.