Why the church?
A Biblical Study
Study 8
The church as the family of God
In Ephesians 1:5 Paul wrote: He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, . Every time the Holy Spirit draws a person to the Lord they are adopted into God’s family. The term ‘family of God’ is not actually used in most translations of the Bible. In 1 Peter 5:17 the NIV is one of the few translations that has ‘the family of God’.
This does not mean that the Bible does not teach the idea of the family of God. The term, ‘brethren’ is used 183 times in the NASB. As we consider various verses and passages in the Bible ask the Lord to continue to clarify His purpose in calling believers into His family as adopted children.
1. Read Hebrews 10:19-25. Three times the writer exhorts his readers with the phrase, ‘let us’. What are those three things?
2. What is the reason for the three exhortations found in verses 22,23,24? (It is found in verse 19)
3. How would you stimulate (other translations are ‘provoke, stir up, incitement, irritating, spur’) other believers to love and good deeds?
4. Why would believers no longer want to gather together with other believers in a local church? (see verse 25) Do Christians have a choice whether they will attend a local gathering of believers or not?
5. What is important for us as Christians to be doing for each other as the time of the Lord’s return draws near? (see verse 25)
Family Relationships and the Christian
6. Read Luke 14:26. Why did Jesus use the word ‘hate’ in this context?
7. Do you believe Jesus is serious? Explain.
8. How would you describe your love for Jesus Christ in relation to all of your family members?
9. What is Jesus teaching about family members and the Christian in Matthew 10:34-39 and Luke 12:49-53?
10. Have you experienced this kind of attitude by family members as a Christian? Illustrate.
11. In Matthew 19:27-30 and Mark 10:23-31 Jesus continued to challenge his disciples concerning their willingness to obey Him no matter the cost. How did He do this?
12. Are you prepared to leave your family members in order to obey Christ? What practical implications must be considered? What other Scripture passages help fill in the entire picture concerning our relationships to family members?
13. There is a similar word used in Galatians 4:6, Ephesians 1:5 and John 1:12,13 that describes the Christian’s family relationship to the Lord. What is it?
14. Do you know anyone who is adopted? Is there a different relationship within the family relationships between parents and biological children and adopted children?
15. Are there any direct descendants from God in His family? Are we treated any differently by God because we are adopted? Explain.
16. Read Matthew 12:46-50. How does Jesus describe those who are His family?
Aspects of Christian Family Life within the Local Church
17. Why do Christians have fellowship with one another (see 1 John 1:3)?
18. Why do we gather with a local church? (see 1 Cor. 11:17-21; Acts 2:42;
Hebrews 10:24)?
19. What constitutes a local church? Give the least amount of items necessary for a local group of believers to be considered a New Testament church.
20. A key aspect of local church life is the expression of spiritual gifts. Read through Romans 12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12:1-7; Ephesians 4:11-16 and 1 Peter 4:10,11. What key thoughts stand out for you about spiritual gifts from these passages? (We will have a separate study on the spiritual gifts later.)
21. Before we begin a look at the ministry of one anothers in the local church it is necessary to consider a sobering truth. Read Matthew 24:10. What impact does this have on you?
The Ministry of One Anothers in the body of Christ
22. The first one another found in the New Testament related to body ministry is in the gospel of John. Read John 13:34,35; 15:12,17. What is the first ‘one another’?(John also used this one another 6x in his first epistle)
23. Give a personal example when a fellow believer demonstrated love toward you.
24. How does John describe the extent believers are to love one another
(1 John 3:16-18)? Is this pie in the sky or possible? Explain.
Other ‘Love One Another’1 verses:
Romans 13:8Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
1 Thes. 3:12and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you;
1 Thes. 4:9Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;
1 Thes. 5:12-13a But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, [13] and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work.
2 Thes. 1:3We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater;
1 Peter 1:22Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,
1 Peter 2:17Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
Hebrews 13:1Let love of the brethren continue.
Appendix
Other One Anothers:
Romans 12:10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;
Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind toward one another;
Romans 14:13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore,
Romans 14:19So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.
Romans 15:5Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,
Romans 15:7 Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.
Romans 15:14 filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another.
Romans 16:16Greet one another with a holy kiss.
1 Cor. 7:5 Stop depriving one another (sexually),
1 Cor. 11:33 So then, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.
1 Cor. 12:25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.
Galatians 6:2Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
Ephes. 4:2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,
Ephes. 4:32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Ephes. 5:21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.
Philip. 2:3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
Col. 3:9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,
Col. 3:13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
Col. 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
1 Thes. 4:18Therefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thes. 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.
1 Thes. 5:13 Live in peace with one another.
1 Thes. 5:15See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.
Hebrews 3:13But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Hebrews 10:24-25and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, [25] not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
1 Peter 4:9 Be hospitable to one another without complaint.
1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
1 Peter 5:5You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
1 John 1:7but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
Some ‘Do Not’ One Anothers
Galatians 5:15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
Galatians 5:26Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.
James 4:11Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it.
James 5:9Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.
1‘Love one another’ is the most frequently stated one another of all the one anothers in the NT.