What the Local Churchand Families

Owe Each Other

Local Churches and Families

• Local churches were made up of families in the first century (Eph. 5:22 – 6:4; Col. 3:18-21)

• Both local church and family are of divine origin; both must work together

What the Local Church Owes the Family

• Not the upbringing of your children (Eph. 6:1)

• Not social and recreational activities or food and entertainment (Jn. 6:26-27; 1 Tim. 3:15)

What the Local Church Owes the Family

• Purity of membership (1 Cor. 5:6; Rev. 2-3)

• An atmosphere condusive of scriptural worship (Jn. 4:23-24; Col. 3:17; Amos 5:21ff)

• Opportunities for service: evangelism, edification, benevolence (Eph. 4:12)

• Plain Bible preaching (2 Tim. 4:2)

What the Local Church Owes the Family

• Qualified, spiritual leadership: (1 Tim. 3:1ff; Tit. 1:5ff)

– Bishop: overseership (Phil. 1:1; Heb. 13:17)

– Elder: example (Acts 14:23; 1 Pet. 5:2-3)

– Pastor: spiritual nourishment (Acts 20:28; Eph. 4:11; 1 Pet. 5:2-3)

What Families Owe the Local Church

• The family and church must be careful about a “consumerism” approach; the family should not “shop around” and the church should not “market” or “advertise”

– It’s not about your personal convenience

– It’s not about “What’s in it for me”, “I’m here, now take care of me”, “What’s the preaching like?”

– JFK: “Ask not what your country can do for you…”

What Families Owe the Local Church

• Joining with commitment (Acts 2:47; 9:26-28)

• Encouragement (Acts 21:4-6)

• Godly living (Rom. 12:1-2; Tit. 2:11-12)

• Love and loyalty (Rom. 12:10)

What Families Owe the Local Church

• Hard-working service (Rom. 12:11; 1 Cor. 12:12ff; Eph. 4:16; Neh. 3:12)

• Contribution (1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 8:5)

• Future leaders (1 Tim. 3:1-13; Tit. 1:5-9)

• Attendance (Heb. 10:24-25; Neh. 8:2-3)

What Families Owe the Local Church

• Spiritual growth (Heb. 5:12ff; 1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 1:5ff; 3:18)