Sons and Daughters in Christ
The family of God is incredibly special. Nowhere else in the human world can we see such “family” characteristics outside the biological family itself. What is the glue that holds this family together?
Why is this family unit so important to the church? Name some examples where the family unit proves valuable? Useful? Practical?
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Read Philippians 2:19-29
- Beginning in verse nineteen, we see an example of this great Christian family. Paul desires to send Timothy to them. Many theologians believe that Timothy was Paul’s surrogate son, the one he may have never had! Yet, there is more than just a father/son characteristic listed in this section. What characteristics show Christian concern?
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- Where did this Timothy come from? And who were his parents?
- Mother: Eunice, grandmother: Lois; Father: unknown but of Greek origin (2 Timothy 1:5, 3:15)
- Hometown: Lystra (See Acts 14:6ff)
- As a young pastor and missionary, Timothy had been through many trials and tribulations, yet maintained his faith in Jesus Christ. That’s why Paul was so confident in his abilities. Timothy received two special letters from Paul, plus is named in six of Paul’s letters or epistles. And at the face of death, Paul asked Timothy to pastor the teacher (2 Timothy 4:9). Evidently, Paul may have been close to his death.
- Another Christian family care example is Epaphroditus. This man was the pastor of the church at Philippi. List the attributes of this caring man:
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- How do we at <insert your church> show these similar Christian family characteristics?
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- Each and every day, people are risking their lives for the sake of the gospel, just like Epaphroditus. Listed below is a story about one such man.
In Europe during the time of Adolph Hitler, there lived a Lutheran pastor by the name of Dietrich Bonhoefer. Pastor Bonhoefer was a man in his 40s with a wife and children. Evidently, Pastor Bonhoefer was speaking out about the Nazi state and especially Hitler. His belief was that the Nazi party’s platform bordered on worshipping Hitler. Hitler ordered him to discontinue such preaching. After much prayer, Pastor Bonhoefer decided that he could not refrain, thus he continued his anti-Hitler preaching. Following his service, he was arrested and never heard from again. (NOTE: He was hanged in April 1945 just weeks prior to Hitler’s suicide and Germany’s surrender)
- Forsaking all for the gospel is an incredibly special calling. Risk like and limb for the gospel is something that many of us have trouble comprehending. Thank God that people like Paul, Timothy, Epaphroditus, and Dietrich Bonhoefer did not!
Read Philippians 3:1-3
- Paul continues to rejoice even in the face of his ultimate demise.
- The one word in this section describes Paul’s purpose is “safeguard.“
- What or who is our safeguard? See Ephesians 6:10-18
- Paul warns the congregation to beware of those who may attempt to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. What does he call these people?
- What does Paul mean by the phrase, “we are the circumcision?”
- How are we circumcised (spiritual) today? How is it different from Abraham? And similar?
Heavenly father safeguard our hearts and minds as the Christian family. Use each of us to strengthen one another in all circumstances. Make Your will known to each of us as we walk in this world. Help us to live the gospel, unafraid of the consequences. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.