WEEK 1 - CHURCH FAMILY

The Church is the dearest place on earth.
Charles Spurgeon

PRIMARY TEXT:

MATTHEW 12:46-49

46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”

48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Discussion

This week we are just going to sit in one of the simplest, but also the most radical teaching of Jesus. Namely, his followers (the church) are Family.

Read Matthew 12:46-49

1. Jesus views you as a sibling! How would it affect your experience of following Jesus to deeply know that he views you as a sibling?

2. In pairs (for 3-4 minutes) Share as many implications of Jesus’ teaching that church is family as you can think of for how we should view and relate to church.
Share with Group.

Consider the following:

John Newton speaking of those who criticised and attacked him:

“[If he is a believer,] in a little while you will meet in heaven; he will then be dearer to you than the nearest friend you have upon earth is to you now.”

3. How does knowing that you are family with fellow believers help you to overcome differences or disagreements?

4. When has church most felt like family to you?

5. Are there any areas, where you are presently not really treating church as family? Think: are there things you expect (or hope you’ll get from others) that you aren’t giving yourself.

6. Part of family life is serving one another. Are there any ways in 2021 that you would want to get more involved and serve at City Light?

Pray.
Share one thing you are thankful for from church life this year and give thanks together.

If anyone in your group isn’t yet serving, send them through to this link: www.citylightchurch.com.au/serve