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Five

Faith and Family

Week 54 | Section 63

Faith and FamilyIn the midst of a very long day in the life of Christ we learn something of the family of God. Yet if we are to be part of the family of God we must understand and accept Jesus to be the Messiah our Savior, and align our lives toward God’s eternal purpose – to reconcile the world to himself. In this manner we can fulfill the great commission and maintain the bonds of peace and bear good fruit from good seed the within our hearts.


Scripture:

[one_third last=”no”]Matthew 12:46-50
46 While he was yet speaking to the multitudes,1 behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to him. 47 One said to him, “Behold, your mother and your brothers2 stand outside, seeking to speak to you.”3 48 But he answered him who spoke to him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 49 He stretched out his hand towards his disciples, and said, “Behold, my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will4 of my Father who is in heaven,5  he is my brother, and sister, and mother.”6[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]Mark 3:31-35
31 His mother and his brothers came, and standing outside, they sent to him, calling him. 32 A multitude was sitting around him, and they told him, “Behold, your mother, your brothers, and your sisters are outside looking for you.” 33 He answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” 34 Looking around at those who sat around him, he said, “Behold, my mother and my brothers! 35 For whoever does the will of God is my brother, my sister, and mother.”7 [/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]Luke 6:19-21
19 His mother and brothers came to him, and they could not come near him for the crowd. 20 Some people told him, “Your mother and your brothers stand outside, desiring to see you.” 21 But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers8 are these who hear9 the word10 of God, and do it.”11[/one_third]


Group Dialog:

  1. What does it look like when a person is doing the will of the Father?
  2. What is the common purpose and identity of the family of God?
  3. How is the church strengthened when we share this common identity?
  4. What causes you to forget/neglect the invitational imperative to share in the ministry of reconciliation?
  5. What forces divide us from functioning as the family of God?
  6. What should our intent and behavior be toward those who are not yet part of the family of God?

Learning Objectives:

There is a common bond among us – when we are believers and followers of Jesus, the family of God; members in the family must believe in the identity of Jesus Christ, his ministry of redemption, and then take part in (DO) the ministry of reconciliation fulfilling the Great Commission as faithful stewards of our vocation.


Study Notes: