Mar. 2 – 1 Timothy 3:8-16: Those Who Serve Well as Deacons

Mar. 9 – 1 Timothy 4:1-5: Made Holy by the Word of God and Prayer

Mar. 16 – 1 Timothy 4:6-15: Our Hope Set on the Living God

Mar. 23 – 1 Timothy 5:1-8: Members of His Household

Mar. 30 – 1 Timothy 5:9-16: Give the Adversary No Occasion

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I have heard it said that when families are “working” well, they are a glimpse of heaven itself. Unconditional love, nurturing authority, bonded trust – these are all part of God’s good intentions for families. But the other side is true, too. When families aren’t “working” – when abuse is present, when trust is broken, when abandonment becomes the norm – families can also be the source of unbelievable pain. In counseling class, we were told that our “families of origin” are often responsible for much of the emotional, mental, and spiritual baggage that we tend to carry into adulthood. We need to pay careful attention as to how we operate within our families no matter what stage of life or marriage or parenthood we may find ourselves in. 

           

Isn’t it interesting that the New Testament often refers to the church as a family? Jesus himself said that his followers were his family (Matt. 12:49-50). Both Paul and Peter use the term “household” to talk about the church (e.g., 1 Pet. 4:17; 1 Tim. 3:15, etc.). A first-century household would have included extended family. Families function as a network of relationships and obligations – fathers, mothers, grandparents, children, aunts, uncles – all playing their roles faithfully. 

         

This is part of God’s good plan for how churches work, too. Like our biological families, brothers and sisters who have been born again and adopted into God’s family share meals, celebrated together, mourn together, and make decisions together. When they are apart, they long to reunite. When they are together, they feel safe and free to be vulnerable with one another, convinced of each other’s loving commitment to the other. 

            

In our Lord’s Day gatherings this month, we will see in the second half of 1 Timothy more of how God intends for his household to operate. All the good things that we get from a healthy family are multiplied over in the family of God as we learn to live into our new identity as God’s children. I pray that we will experience the deep joy that comes from being a part of this family of faith, and also that we would learn more about how to play our roles within the family with joyful obedience. We have a good Father who understands our frail, child-like state and yet loves us more than we could ever have possibly imagined. Let’s learn to honor Him and one another in this household of faith known as Woodmont Baptist Church. 

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Grace and peace,

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