Strengthening The Family Of God

By Jeff Arnette     In the beauty of life in the mountains, the call to foster family, community, and care for one another is both a challenge and a necessity. As followers of Christ, we are called to the family of God and without this focus we will drift apart simply due to time restraints and distance from each other. If we can embrace the teachings of the principals set forth in Scripture and actively try to foster a sense of community and family, we can become a true beacon of hope and love. Family As A Foundation For The Church.     The family has always been important to God’s plan for us. In Proverbs 22:6 it says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” This expresses the importance of teaching our children about God and helps them in future. It also tells us that faith-filled family life builds the foundation for the church because it fosters the same environment. Building a Strong Church Family.     Hebrews 10:24-25 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, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Being an active member of the church, whether its for worship, Bible study, or fellowship strengthens the connections we have with one another. In our busy lives, these connections could not be more important. How Do We Accomplish This?     Spending time together outside of the worship service couldn’t be more powerful toward this purpose. Small groups are also important here. Being able to spend time together studying, fellowshipping, and enjoying food or snacks outside of the regular worship times helps us learn and grow as Christians. This also helps us make sure that no one feels left out or isolated from the group.     In small town churches we enjoy many blessings that larger churches cannot create without serious effort. We get to know each other personally, know about the lives and struggles of each other, and enjoy a friendship that draws us together. By grounding our efforts to live New Testament Christianity in the family dynamic we can love and support one another. As such we become living testimonies of the Family of God, shining as lights in a world that desperately needs somewhere to belong, find support, and feel loved.  Heading

- Jeff Arnette preaches for the Central Haywood church of Christ, Clyde, NC.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: https://centralhaywoodcoc.com/