Groups Discussion Guide
Read Scripture. Go Deeper. Ask Questions. Take Action.
The Family Business - "It runs in the family"
Scripture
If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?
Main Idea
God builds his church from generation to generation through families. The family is God's business, as He created Adam and Eve. God knows families aren't perfect, and there are plenty of examples of marital strife, parental mistakes, and sibling rivalries in the Bible. In 1 Timothy 3:5, we are given an expectation that building a strong home is the path to a strong Church.
Ask yourself: "Do you do more work to plan for a week away from home than your day-to-day life?"
If we are going to be about the Father's business, we have to take care of our family business.
There are more and more people who think Christianity has a negative effect on the world. These show up in feelings of harm, fear, and oppression which result in greater opposition to Christianity in our day-to-day lives. If you are to be faithful in the field, you need to be dialed in at home. The fruits of the Kingdom are built over generations, and aren't necessarily shown on a quarterly report. Read Psalm 112 for a description of what happens when we build our families from generation to generation.
Clarify your mission, distill your focus
Fulfillment comes from serving and glorifying God with the gifts He has given you. How do you use them? What is the mission statement for your family? When people think of your family, would their thoughts be as clear as Habakkuk 2:2? "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it."
Define your values
Some families value prestige, money, sports, avoiding conflict, and so on. What Christian values highlight your life? Telling the truth, working hard, serving others? Where in God's word can you get more of these? When your values are ambiguous and "squishy", it can make you compromise when challenges come. It can make your theology change.
Take a team approach
A family is a team with the same mission. Not everyone has the same role, but everyone has the same mission. Husbands, your wife is your teammate, not your assistant. Wives, your husband is your teammate, not your opponent. If every sacrifice becomes a complaint, that's a problem. If every sacrifice is connected to purpose, the family can better see their role in the mission.
"If you are to be faithful in the field, you need to be dialed in at home."
Discussion Questions
- Do you do more work to plan for a week away from home than your day-to-day life? What can you do to dial in your day-to-day life?
- Re-read Psalm 112. What part stands out to you?
- What is your family's mission statement? What are you doing for God?
- What are your family values? Where in the Bible can you get more ideas?
Summary
A strong home yields a strong church. Evaluate your own family mission statement, values, and team skills. How is your family honoring God and building the Church from generation to generation?
Take Action
- Do a little reading about what makes an effective mission statement or vision. It should be a short, memorable phrase that guides you and your family.
- Dig up your own list of values. Ask your spouse for their list and compare.
- What are your own skills? What skills does your spouse have? Be honest with yourself and list out what drains you and what energizes you? How can your family (team) be aligned with God's word?
Announcements
- May 24 - Pentecost Sunday - Celebrate the birthday of God's Church
- May 24 + 27 - Move up Sunday for Velocity Youth and Velocity Kids
- May 31 - Essentials Class - Learn what Velocity is all about and how you can get better connected
