WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!
WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!
Ephesians 2:19 – Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.
Ephesians 2:19(NLT) – You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.
Words that describe warmth: welcoming, accepting, belonging, authentic, hospitable, caring.
Warmth is like family!
Ephesians 2:13 – But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 2:14 – For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation.
Ephesians 2:19 – Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.
Ephesians 2:19(NLT) – You are members of God’s family.
Foreigner – Outside the house
Believers are in the house, in the family of God, because we are in Christ
Ephesians 2:19(Message) – You’re no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here.
AWE based families – Affirmation, Warmth, Encouragement
Shame based families – Performance based, constant criticism, never enough
How do we grow in warmth?
WELCOME ONE ANOTHER
Romans 15:7(ESV) – Therefore welcome one another as Christ welcomed you, for the Glory of God.
Romans 15:7(NIV) – Accept one another then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Matthew 25:35(ESV) – I was a stranger and you welcomed me.
Matthew 25:35(NKJV) – I was a stranger and you took Me in.
See People
Speak to People
Invite People
LISTEN TO ONE ANOTHER
James 1:19(NLT) – Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
James 1:19 – So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath
James 1:19(NLT) – Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
Stop
Look
Listen
Proverbs 18:13 – He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.
Proverbs 20:5 – The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.
BE THERE FOR ONE ANOTHER
Romans 12:15 – Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
2 Timothy 1:16 - The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chains.
2 Timothy 1:16(NLT) – He often visited and encouraged me.
Doing life together. That is what families do!
Father God, help us as individuals, as families, and as a church family, to be warm, welcoming, accepting, hospitable, and caring in Jesus Name.
Discussion Questions:
Would you describe yourself as a warm person? Why or why not?
The three steps for growing in warmth were: welcoming people, listening to people and being there for people. Which of these three is your strongest? Which of these is your weakest?
What action step is the Holy Spirit asking you to take to grow in warmth?