Church: More Than a Buildingಮಾದರಿ

The Church is a Family

Great sports teams often credit their success to the explanation, “We’re more than a team; we’re like a family." People will describe their closest friends by saying, “She’s more than a friend; she’s like my sister.” We use words like “blood-brother,” or “my fam,” “my tribe,” or even “brother from another mother” to describe those people we have grown closest to. All these examples highlight that while family connections, for most people, are our closest connections, we can create bonds just as strong through shared experiences and passions.

In many ways, the church, too, is a family. God is the Father, the head of the family. Jesus, His Son, is our brother, along with all the men and women who are fellow believers in Christ. We are considered brothers and sisters because of Jesus. In fact, the term “brothers and sisters” is used over 100 times in the New Testament and was a common theme used by the Apostle Paul.

But in what ways does the church look like a family?

Reflect

One of the biggest ways the church mirrors the family is the way we offer care and support for each other. Just like a family, when one of our family members has a need, we do our best to help them through their trial. Whether it’s showing up at the hospital, making them a meal when they’re sick, or holding them as their world is crumbling around them, we help, we care, and we pray. Just like a family. In Galatians, we are commanded to “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” - Galatians 6:2 (ESV) We are called to help others carry what weighs them down. So often, people coming through a serious season in life will credit their church family with helping them through it.

Another thing families do is speak hard truths to each other, and in the church, we are called to do the same thing. Nobody can cut to the core of a situation like a parent or a sibling, but that’s what we're commanded to do as Christ-followers. We can’t just tell people what they want to hear or agree with their every decision. Just as Jesus came in “grace and truth” (John 1:17), because we love them, we speak the truth, and we offer grace. The goal is always restoration.

Finally, just as parents and older siblings train up younger siblings, teaching them how to be responsible adults, in church, we disciple and encourage each other towards spiritual growth. As we share life together, we become better followers of Jesus. The writer of Hebrews reminds us, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another…” - Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV).

Respond

Just like any other family, a church family cares, supports, challenges, encourages, trains, forgives, and loves. That’s what we have been called to do for each other as Jesus’ followers. That’s the true definition of a family. Are you ready to be a part of God's family?

Pray

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of family, both the ones we’re born into and the ones we choose. Help us to build closer bonds with our own church family, and help us as we seek to grow together and love one another. In Your name, amen.