Dig Deeper - Sunday 30th March 2025
Sermon Reflection Questions - Living as part of God’s family
Ephesians 1:4-5
Psalm 68:5-6a
Dig Deeper notes from Sunday 30th March service:
As it was Mothering Sunday we took a break from our sermon series and looked at God’s love for us and how we can live together as part of God’s family.
Being part of a church family is so important. It’s here we journey through life together. We support each other in the difficult times. We celebrate with each other through the joys. We mourn together. We pray together. We explore faith together. We worship together.
We aren’t just part of the church family here at St John’s - we’re part of God’s family! What an immense privilege that God, the Almighty, the Infinite, all-powerful, creator of the whole universe, chose us and adopts us into His family. Even though we get things wrong, even though we can be selfish and sinful, even though we don’t deserve it, He still chooses us and loves us! He loves us with an unconditional love.
Whatever our experience of family has been, we can know and experience the love of God, our Father. God’s love is perfect. He is love. He no longer rebukes us, but delights in us. He can’t contain His love for us - He rejoices over us with singing! He abounds in love. He cares for us. He is our refuge.
We’re called to live as His family, echoing His heart of love. We’re called to love, honour, serve, hope, be patient and be generous. We need to have an outward view…looking out for the needs of others. We’re called to welcome the stranger into our family. Our love, patience, and serving is not just for the people already in our own families or our church family, it’s for the people yet to join. It’s for all.
Questions to think about and discuss:
How does knowing that you are chosen and adopted by God make you feel?
How do you view God? Which characteristics of God comfort you? Which are more challenging to accept?
What has been your experience of ‘family’? How about ‘church family’?
Who has shown love to you? Who has honoured you? Who has been persistent in hope for you? Who has served you? Who has been patient and faithful? Who has continually prayed for you? Who has been hospitable and generous towards you?
Who can you welcome into your family? Who can you be a positive role model to? Who can you be faithfully praying for? Who can you serve? Who might need your encouragement and support right now?
Prayer:
God, thank you for choosing us and for adopting us into your family. Thank you for your abounding love. Thank you for those who have cared for us, loved us, prayed for us. We pray for more opportunities to show Your incredible love to others. Help us to be welcoming and open. Help us to be patient, generous, and hospitable. Help us to have a servant-heart. Holy Spirit, would you be working in our hearts, transforming us and helping us to be more like You.
Amen.
