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I am delighted that my wife was adopted and that I have seen the power and importance of adoption. Those who have been legally adopted joke that their parents chose them, while the rest of us have parents who were stuck with their kids and had no choice. Last week I met with one of my friends who was a groomsman in our wedding 31 years ago and he shared with me that since he’s adopted, by law, he can’t be cut out of his parents’ will. We have friends who have adopted children and the celebration at the court and the declaration of legal adoption is incredibly powerful!
We who are Burchies seem to collect people as we walk through this life. The definition of family has broadened out in these days with some of our closest family relationships being with people who have no DNA ties to us.
Psalm 68 tells us that God puts the lonely into families, and God’s heart has always been for the immigrant, the lowly, the widow, the orphan and for those who aren’t in community. God’s plan is for us to have eyes to see those around us who need to be pulled into our families.
But when we choose into opening our hearts, our arms, and our homes to others, it isn’t always easy and it can be messy. I’ve thought about the different people who weren’t blood relatives who ended up at our Thanksgiving table over the years. Sometimes inviting them to the table was delightful, and other times it was awkward and strange. The fact that we can’t always predict whether the presence of another human at the table will be weird or not, this uncertainty can prevent us from inviting in the people who are most in need of a family.
At the heart of God’s plan for the world is family.
The economy of the Kingdom of God is that of a family. Let me remind you that it is a loving father who sent his son, Jesus, to die to reconcile sinful people who are spiritual orphans to Himself. The Bible describes us as being adopted as sons and daughters of God, gaining an inheritance. Jesus said that we are no longer slaves, but he now calls us friends.
The church, “the Ekklesia” in Greek, means "the called out ones who have gathered". We are called into a relationship with Jesus and with one another. The problem with the church in our day is that it’s more like going to a movie theater than it is coming to a family Thanksgiving dinner table. Often people come to a church on a Sunday morning and leave at the end of the service, never even knowing the names of the people who sat at their right and left side.
Life Groups create family.
I believe the best way to create a sense of family within the church is what we call Life Groups. These Life Groups are small groups of about 8-15 people who meet on a regular basis to do life together. Most groups meet once a week to study the Bible and to care and pray for each other. Some groups watch videos about the Christian life, as well as other curriculum, to help them grow in their faith. Every group is different. Some groups enjoy eating meals together while other groups meet for coffee. At the core of each group is being seen, heard, loved and prayed for. Many groups have daily group text threads that carry important prayer concerns to the rest of the group. These are the people who will hold you up when you are physically sick, weary, depressed, lonely and afraid. It takes time to build trust within a group, but I’ve always been amazed at how much encouragement and grace I receive from others when I share my burdens, fears, and stress, and ask for prayer.
Are you in a Life Group?
If not, we’d love to help you get connected to a group where you will belong – in a family. Life Groups are the lifeblood of the church and give us a place to ask questions about life and God, and to seek wisdom. These are places where we will be challenged to grow, and where we will receive grace from others who will relate and care for us when we are at our lowest.
Thom Rainier wrote,
“New members who connect with a small group are nearly five times more likely to stay at a church than those who don’t.”
So many people move from church to church because they are looking for family, and Life Groups provide that family we are seeking.
When Jesus started His ministry, the very first thing He did was form a small group. In this season, our priority is raising up compassionate Life Group leaders to lead so that you will be able to find your place in this family and have a place to belong!
If you are interested in signing up for one of our Life Groups or in finding out more about them, you can email your request/questions to info@ncchico.org
We invite you to come worship with us at Neighborhood Church in Chico.
Our Sunday Morning Worship Service is at 10:00 a.m. in the Dome.
You can also live stream our service on Facebook and YouTube at 10:00 a.m.
You will find all our blogs, podcasts, and Sunday services and messages on our website ncchico.org which you can access at any time. Sunday messages are under the Media tab. Blogs and podcasts are listed under Pastor Andrew's Corner.
Need encouragement? Text the word Encourage to 530.296.3689 to receive an encouraging scripture or quote from me several times a week that is sent right to your phone.
