What is the value of having a church family?

Answer

What is the value of becoming like family to other believers? Acts 2:42 could be seen as a fundamental declaration of essential church activities: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” The Bible emphasizes the importance of the church family unit for the following reasons:

We study God’s Word together — A church family offers consistent Bible teaching. This is often facilitated through small groups, Bible studies, sermons from the pastor, Sunday school lessons, and more. The church family is tasked with growing spiritually together, encouraging one another. Second Timothy 3:16 states, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.”

We honor God together through worship — There is a unifying element when believers worship God collectively, whether through music, preaching, or service. Psalm 34:3 highlights a call to communal worship: “Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.”

We find accountability — The church offers a practical structure for mutual accountability. As relationships develop and friendships are formed, there are individuals to support, correct when needed, and celebrate with you. Proverbs 27:17 reads, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Accountability is crucial in the fight against sin, and the church family is an excellent place to find someone to pray with, talk to, and confide in.

We find support in times of trial — A support system is essential when facing challenges. In times of need, you would rely on your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to pray for you and help with practical tasks like meals, cleaning, and childcare. Galatians 6:2 urges us to “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

We discover opportunities for service — Not only do we receive support in the church community, but we also have the chance to serve others. By getting involved in serving, we can use our gifts and talents to benefit the body of Christ and the community. Ephesians 2:10 affirms this by stating, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Church; we give it as well. Your calling in the church is to contribute, not just to receive. When we are in close fellowship with other believers, we know when they need support and prayer. We can step in and help in practical ways. Galatians 6:10 says, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

We make disciples — There comes a time when we need to learn to feed, not just be fed “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.”, (Hebrews 5:12). We can evangelize, teach, encourage, and “disciple” our church family. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).

In an age when the culture is increasingly secular, it is beneficial to be in a family of like-minded believers. These brothers and sisters can encourage you in your faith journey, respond to your questions about spiritual issues, and be a support in times of hardship. The church family can also give you an opportunity to serve and disciple others. “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”, (Hebrews 10:25).