Why is having a church family so valuable?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Having a church family is a vital spiritual gift that allows believers to experience and express God’s love in tangible ways. A church family helps us grow in faith, truth, and holiness (Ephesians 4:15-16; Hebrews 10:24-25). Within a church family, we can be challenged and strengthened to grow (Proverbs 27:17; Colossians 3:16). We can encourage, hold each other accountable, teach one another, and love one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 3:13; Galatians 6:1). We can lift our burdens to God in prayer (James 5:16; Philippians 4:6-7). We can live out the Scriptures that show us how to love one another (Romans 12:10; 1 Peter 4:8-10). Being part of a church family not only eases the weight of our struggles but also provides opportunities to actively serve, support, and disciple others (Galatians 6:2; Romans 12:15; 1 Peter 4:10). This gives us purpose and fulfillment as we live out God’s commands (Ephesians 2:10). A faithful church family glorifies God as it reflects His love, equips His people for every good work, and unites believers in a shared mission to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 5:16; Ephesians 4:11-12).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The Old Testament points out how vitally important community is. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 say, "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken." Community makes our burdens easier to bear.
• Proverbs 27:17 states that, "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." Being a part of a community of believers allows God’s people to live out His truth.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• When someone told Jesus that his mother and brothers were asking to speak with Him, Jesus replied, “‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’ And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother’” (Matthew 12:48-50). The church family is united under the Father, a closer bond than any other tie.“
• Becoming a Christian means being adopted into God's family as a child of God and brother or sister to fellow believers (Romans 8:16-17). This is why we refer to the church as a family.
• Love is typically a defining characteristic of family, and Jesus noted it as a marker of those who follow Him: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).
• One way we show love is through serving one another. Galatians 5:13 says, "… through love serve one another." So when struggles are brought to the church family, those believers are to respond by helping the suffering one alleviate his or her burden wherever possible.Galatians 6:2 directly says to "bear one another's burdens." .
• Part of bearing each other’s burdens is praying for one another. James 5:16 says to "pray for one another, that you may be healed." Similarly, 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says to "encourage one another and build one another up." Second Corinthians 13:11 commands us to "comfort one another."
• Love doesn’t mean approval. When believers go off track, the family of Christ should love them enough to discipline them. Colossians 3:16 states that believers should be "teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom." Likewise, Ephesians 4:25 says, "Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another." A church family's love for one another plays out in speaking truth into each other's lives, and that truth comes from Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
• The church can speak that truth because of God’s command for us to “confess [their] . . . sins to one another” (James 5:16). Even in such a tense situation, we’re to deal with church family members’ sin by "Be[ing] kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32). Confession brings an opportunity for accountability and forgiveness, both of which are crucially important in the battle to overcome sin.
• Hebrews 10:24 calls believers "to stir up one another to love and good works." A further benefit of having a church family is that believers are encouraged in doing the good works God calls him or her to do (Ephesians 2:10).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

A benefit of having a church family is being loved and loving others in a way that surpasses the patterns of the secular world. This love is to be sacrificial and unconditional, reflecting the love Jesus has shown to us (John 15:12; 1 John 3:16). The other commands about how believers are to interact with one another—such as encouraging one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11), bearing one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), forgiving one another (Ephesians 4:32), and serving one another (Galatians 5:13)— detail how that love plays out practically.

Another value to having a church family is that facing our struggles and bearing our burdens becomes easier. We are meant to carry each other’s burdens, being the physical and tangible presence of Jesus in others’ lives. When we face difficulties and the family of God comes together to show love by caring for others’ needs-praying for them, bringing meals, being present-we remember that we are seen, loved, and not alone.

Having a church family is not only about receiving love, bearing lighter burdens, learning truth that equips, and having help to overcome sin; it’s having the opportunity to give in each of these areas to other believers. Serving God through serving His children brings purpose and fulfillment. It can take many forms: extending love and acceptance; offering to cook, drive, or babysit; teaching children or discipling those younger in the faith; or meeting with someone to provide accountability and encouragement. Knowing that God has a role for each believer to play in the lives of other believers gives meaning and direction to our lives.

When a church family faithfully lives out these principles of love, God is ultimately glorified. Jesus commanded His disciples to "let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). Since engaging with our brothers and sisters in Christ glorifies God and given the other benefits of interacting with the church family, let us "not [be found] neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but [let us be] encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near" (Hebrews 10:25).

UNDERSTAND

• Opportunities for spiritual growth are greater within a church family.
• A church family provides practical ways to show and experience God’s love.
• A church family is valuable because it provides encouragement and support in happy and difficult times.

REFLECT

• ​​How are you currently experiencing spiritual growth within your church family?
• In what practical ways are you both receiving and showing God’s love to others in your church family?
• How are you challenged or encouraged to be more engaged in a church family?

ENGAGE

• How does being part of a church family challenge us to live out the “one another” commands in Scripture?
• Why should we both receive support and give support within our church family to glorify God?
• How does the presence of a church family impact our spiritual growth, accountability, and ability to serve compared to trying to walk the Christian life alone?