Lesson 4

THE CHURCH

The Family of God

(King James Version (KJV))

A. Introduction

1. The family is the oldest human relationship. It began in the Garden of Eden when God gave Eve to Adam to be his wife and told the two to form a union (Genesis 2:18-24). Later, children were born to them, thus completing the elements that make up the typical family--a husband and wife who serve as parents to their children. The relationships between parents and children and among the children themselves can be the dearest and most enjoyable relationships ever experienced in life.
   
   
2. The people of God in Christ, the church, can be compared to a family. The Bible calls the church God's family or house (1 Timothy 3:15; 1 Peter 4:17). Our personal experience in being part of a human family equips us to appreciate the family relationship between God, Christ, and the church. In this association God is the father, Christ is a son, and the people of God are children. The purpose of this lesson is to study these family connections in the light of the Bible and in so doing learn more about the church of Christ.
   

B. God, the Father of the Family

1. There is a sense in which God is the father of every created thing (Genesis 1:26-28). When the apostle Paul spoke to a group of men in Athens, he referred to the fatherhood of God in its universal sense (Acts 17:22-31). God made the world and everything in it (Acts 17:24). Specifically, He made the human race, placing limits on what humans can do and how long they can live (Acts 17:26). Since it is God who enables us to live and breathe, He is our father (Acts 17:28). When we think of Him in the lifeless, inanimate form of an idol, fashioned by men of metal or stone, we reverse the true roles of who created whom. The children do not create the father, but the father creates the children (Acts 17:29). As the father of all, He has the right to impose His standards upon us and to tell us to repent when we fail to meet His expectations (Acts 17:30). As the father of all, He plans to judge everyone through Christ at a future time (Acts 17:31).
   
   
2. Much more frequently, however, the New Testament refers to God's relationship to His spiritual family, His people in Christ. He is also the father of this more exclusive family. Christ, the Word of God, made the world (John 1:1-3, 10). He came into the world to enlighten it with the truth, but most of those He created did not receive Him (John 1:9-11). Some did receive Him, and to them God gave the right to become His children through a spiritual birth (John 1:12-13; 3:3, 5).
   
   
3. We expect a good father in a human family to love his children, to provide for them, to make himself accessible to them, and to train them in sound and proper behavior. So it is with God, as the father of His spiritual family, as Table 1 shows.
   
   

C. Christ, the Son of God

1. The preeminent son of God is Jesus Christ. He is repeatedly called "the Son of God" in the New Testament. This phrase expresses a relationship between God and Christ that we can compare to that between a father and his son. Other than by adoption a boy becomes a son by being born into a family. An angel appeared to Mary to tell her she would become the mother of Christ without human intervention. He told her, "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35). Jesus is the only begotten Son of God (John 3:16).
   
   
2. We expect a son to exhibit traits of his father. Indeed, the Son of God is the brightness of his {Father's} glory, and the express image of his person. (Hebrews 1:3a). He existed in the form of God (Philippians 2:6a). We also expect a father to spend time with his son. The Father and Son were with each other before creation (John 17:5). In that relationship the Son was equal to the Father (Philippians 2:6b). The Father sent His Son to earth to offer Himself for our sins (Romans 8:3). The intimate relationship between the Father and His Son enables the Son to reveal and explain the nature and will of the Father (Matthew 11:27; John 1:18).
   
   
3. A son often imitates his father. Sometimes the imitation may be seen in the likeness of their mannerisms. Sometimes it may be seen in the son's taking up the occupation of his father. Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise."(John 5:19). The Father has the right and power to judge us, and He has delegated that work to His Son (John 5:22). God is able to raise the dead, both physically and spiritually. His Son also has that power (John 5:21).
   
   

D. Christians, the Children of God

1. Christ is not the only son of God. God has other children, but none so deserving as Christ. Christ never committed sin (Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Peter 2:21-22), but everyone else has sinned including the children of God (Romans 3:23). John was amazed by the fact that God is willing to make it possible for His sinful creatures to become His children. Doing so shows the tremendous depth of God's love (1 John 3:1).
   
   
2. Not every home is an ideal home. Sometimes parents do not set the right example for their children. The children learn bad habits that they may retain for the rest of their lives and in turn pass along to their own children. God, however, is always worthy of being emulated by His children: Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; (Ephesians 5:1).
   
   
3. Members of human families do not all have the same status in the family. The parents have authority over the children. Parents have the right to demand and expect obedience from their children (Ephesians 6:1). It is no different in the family of God. God's children are subject to His rule and should obey Him. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world. (Philippians 2:14-15). As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, BE YE HOLY; FOR I AM HOLY.. (1 Peter 1:14-16).
   
   
4. In human societies people tend to accumulate more goods and possessions than they can consume in their lifetimes. It is a longstanding custom for parents, when they die, to transfer their remaining wealth, whether much or little, to their children. Every society has laws which regulate the way inheritances are managed and distributed. In the family of God the Father is eternal yet considers His children to be His heirs (Romans 8:15-17; Galatians 4:5-7). He has an inheritance waiting for them. Peter describes it as an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you (1 Peter 1:4).

E. Christians, the Brethren of Christ

1. If Christ is the Son of God and His people in Christ are God's children, then Christ and the people of God must be brethren. This is the point emphasized in Hebrews 2:10-18. Through the great mercy of God many have been saved. It was God's will that this be accomplished through the suffering of Christ (v. 10).
   
   
2. In His suffering Christ made it possible for the children of God to be set apart (sanctified) for God's service. Based on human experience, we might expect the One who sanctifies (Christ) to remain aloof from the ones He sanctifies because of His obvious superiority to them. But consider that Christ is the Son of God and that those who have been sanctified have also become the children of God. They have the same Father and belong to the same family. Christ is not at all ashamed to call them His brethren (v. 11). Quite the opposite. He is enthusiastic about calling them His brethren. He proclaims them so. He sings their praise (v.12). He is willing to show His solidarity with them. They put their trust in God; so does He. They are God's gift to Him. He is one with them. (v.13).
   
   
3. The kinship of Christ and His brethren is not a philosophical abstraction. It is literally true. He became as they are--flesh and blood. It was only by doing so that He could defeat the devil and enable His brethren to escape the fear of dying (vv. 14-15). He did not assume the nature of angels in order to help angels, but He assumed the nature of man in order to help man (v. 16). It would not have been possible for Christ to be an atonement for the people if He had not become as they are and, by experiencing life as they do, qualify to become a merciful and faithful high priest to them (v. 17). The universal experience of humanity is temptation. By becoming a man, Christ was tempted. He learned firsthand the appeal, the allure, and the power of temptation. Therefore, He can sympathize with those who are tempted and come to their aid (v. 18).
   
   
4. Jesus had brothers and sisters in the flesh (Matthew 13:55-56). Technically they were His half brothers and sisters, the children of Mary and Joseph. Once when Jesus was teaching indoors, His mother and brothers and sisters came to see Him. They could not get inside because of the throng of people who had come to hear Jesus teach. They sent word that they wanted to talk to Him. But he answered and said unto him, "Who is my mother? And who are my brethren?" And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, "Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother." (Matthew 12:48-50). Jesus loved His mother and was concerned about her welfare (John 19:25-27), but earthly families are temporary. The spiritual family of God is eternal. Those who are part of it are those who obey the Father in heaven.

LESSON QUESTIONS

(Using the above lesson text and your open Bible please answer the following questions)

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PART 1--Fill in the blanks

Look up the following verses in the Bible, click on the blank and type your answer

1. John 3:16 "For God so loved the , that He gave His only begotten , that whoever in Him should not , but have life.

2. Acts 17:24, 28 God that made the and all things therein, seeing that he is of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in made with hands;...For in him we , and , and have our ; as certain also of your own poets have said, 'For we are also his ."

3. Romans 8:16-17 The itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the of God: and if , then ; of God, and joint- with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

4. Ephesians 6:1-3 , obey your in the Lord for this is right. Honour thy and ; which is the first commandment with ; That it may be with thee, and thou mayest long on the earth.

5. 1 Timothy 3:14-15 These things I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to thyself in the of God, which is the of the living God, the and of the truth.

6. Hebrews 2:11,14 For both he that and they who are are all of : for which cause he is not ashamed to call them ,...Forasmuch then as the are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise part of the same; that through he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the ;

PART 2--True or False:

Select "True" if the statement is correct or "False" if incorrect.

True False 7. The Son of God was equal with God before He came to earth.

True False 8. The church can be compared to a family.

True False 9. God has so highly exalted His Son that the Son should not be thought of as the brother of the people of God.

True False 10. Jesus said that His true brothers and sisters were those to whom His mother Mary gave birth.

True False 11. All members of a family have equal rights and privileges.

True False 12. If it were not for God who made us, we would not be able to live or breathe.

True False 13. The "Son of God" is an apt description of Jesus Christ.

True False 14. Jesus assumed the form of angels so that He could help them.

True False 15. The people of God in Christ, being the children of God, can expect God to give them an inheritance.

PART 3--Multiple choice

Select the phrase or phrases that correctly complete each statement.
PLEASE NOTE: SOME statements have MORE THAN ONE correct completion.

16. The family of the God has the following characteristics:

    a. All of the sons have disobeyed the Father.

    b. All of the sons, but one, have disobeyed the Father.

    c. God has great affection for His children.

    d. One of the sons is pre-eminent.

17. Jesus had to become flesh and blood:

    a. To experience human temptation.

    b. To make sure His brothers and sisters never experienced physical death.

    c. To become an atonement for sin.

    d. To show contempt for those who sin.

18. The first family:

    a. Lived in the Garden of Eden.

    b. Consisted of a husband, wife, and children.

    c. Was not very typical of later families.

    d. Formed a relationship approved by God. (

19. Christ's attitude toward His brothers and sisters is shown by:

    a. His playing a harp while singing praises about them.

    b. His suffering to sanctify them.

    c. His embarrassment because of their sinfulness.

    d. His desire to keep His distance from them.

20. The Father and Son are alike in that:

    a. They are the same size and can share clothes.

    b. They were both carpenters.

    c. They have the right to judge humankind.

    d. They have the power to raise the dead.

21. The children of God are:

    a. The descendants of Mary and Joseph.

    b. Those who obey Him.

    c. Those whom Christ has sanctified.

    d. Those who cannot be tempted.

22. When a good man has children, he:

    a. Makes himself accessible to them.

    b. Enjoys making them suffer for their mistakes.

    c. Insists they be totally self-reliant and independent of the parents.

    d. Loves them.

23. In the New Testament "the family of God" most often refers to:

    a. The entire human race.

    b. The heavenly hosts.

    c. Those who have undergone a spiritual rebirth.

    d. Those who believe in Christ and have obeyed Him.

24. Parents have the right to:

    a. Offer up their children as sacrifices.

    b. Govern their children.

    c. Expect obedience from their children.

    d. Abuse their children.

25. As a father, God displays the following attributes:

    a. He ignores His children.

    b. He wants His children to be like Him.

    c. He is often not available to His children.

    d. He shows partiality to some of His children.

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