BUILD - WEEK 7

Read Matthew 12:46-50

1. In what ways does Jesus redefine family in this passage?

2. How might this teaching have challenged the cultural expectations of family in Jesus’ time?

3. Why do you think Jesus emphasizes doing the will of His Father as the defining mark of His family?

Divide the following passages into smaller groups / pairs, and have each group discuss and then feed back the following question: John 1:12-13, Romans 8:14-16, 1 John 3:
4. How does this articulation of this Gospel provide the basis for viewing the church as a family?

All together:
5. Based on this understanding of the Gospel, and Jesus’ teaching, how would you respond to someone who says “I Love god, but i don’t want anything to do with the church.”


Read Acts 2:44-47

6. What do their practices reveal about their priorities and values?

7. How does their lifestyle reflect their understanding of the gospel?

8. What challenges might the early church have faced in maintaining this kind of community?

9. How might living in such way have contributed to the church’s growth?

Apply:
10. When has church most felt like family for you?
11. What personal or cultural obstacles might prevent us from living out our identity as family, and how can we overcome them?
12. What would it look like for you to be prioritising a love for the church in your season of life?

Share prayer points and pray.