How Do I Love God's Family?

Every single person who accepts Jesus’ gift of salvation becomes part of the family of God. This family includes people of every age, language and country. God’s family is the BIGGEST family ever, and it’s filled with people who love and care for one another because of Jesus. Since God’s family is so big, it would be impossible for us to know every single “brother” and “sister” we have in Christ, let alone care for each and every one of them!

That’s why God places us in local churches. Our home church is the family of God that lives, works and plays in and around our community. This is where we learn what it means to be part of God’s family, how to follow Jesus and how to encourage one another to live out our faith. Did you know the Bible talks about this? Let’s read about it in Hebrews. Hebrews is in the New Testament, right after the book of Philemon. Let’s read chapter 10, verses 24-25.

We were never meant to follow Jesus by ourselves, just like we were never meant to live life without a family. In fact, the Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 12 that the family of God is like a physical body. Each part of the body is special and connected to every other part and has a special, specific purpose. Your arm is connected to your shoulder and your elbow. Each part of your body has a special job, and when they work together they help your body work the right way. In the same way, God has placed every person in the church, connecting them to every other member so they can work within that family for good.

Did you know God even gives us gifts to serve each other with? Think about Moses, who led the people of Israel out of Egypt, or Samson and the incredible strength God gave him to defeat the Philistines. Remember Deborah, judge and prophet of Israel? What about Queen Esther, whose courageous faith saved her people? These men and women, among many other Old Testament heroes, were given special abilities by the Holy Spirit with which to serve each other; they’re almost like superheroes of the Bible!

Take a quick break to let the kids talk about their favorite superheroes. Point out the unique character trait or superhuman ability each superhero uses for other people’s good. Remind them that superheroes live in made-up stories, but God helps us serve people in real life! 

God gives us gifts to serve the local church. It doesn’t matter if you’re a boy or a girl, young or old. The Bible talks about this in the book of Galatians. Galatians is in the New Testament and is written by Paul. Can you help me find chapter 6 and verse 10?

It’s not by accident that God placed our family in this specific church for this specific time. The gifts God has given to each one of us are needed there. When we don’t use our gifts in love, our church isn’t able to be the light God intended it to be in our community.

I wonder what God could do in this world if every single believer in every local church used their special gifts the way He intended. We certainly aren’t superheroes; but if the true stories of the Bible are any indication, I think God could use us to do some pretty amazing things.