a spiritual family

Why do we need a spiritual family? Jesus ministered in the context of a small group of disciples. We can call this the first record of a care group in the New Testament. He could have chosen more, but He knew twelve is about the maximum size you can have in a small group if everyone were to participate. He spent a bigger portion of His time with a few chosen disciples. He poured His life in for them, teaching and showing them how to live lives as His disciples. For this reason, every Christian needs to be involved in a small group within their church.

Rick Warren, in his book, The Purpose Driven Life, lists some important reasons for being in a spiritual family:

A spiritual family identifies you as a genuine believer.

We can’t claim to be following Christ if we’re not committed to any specific group of disciples. “A new command I give you; Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)

A spiritual family moves you out of self-centred isolation.

The local church through Care Groups is the classroom for learning how to get along in God’s family. It is a laboratory for practising unselfish, sympathetic love. As a participating member you learn to care about others and share the experiences of others. “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.” (1 Corinthians 12:26)

A spiritual family builds up your spiritual muscles.

Participation in the full life of a local church or Care Groups strengthens our spiritual muscles. “From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (Ephesians 4:16) Your local fellowship in a Care Group is the place God designed for you to discover, develop and use your gifts.

A spiritual family keeps you from backsliding.

None of us is immune to temptation. “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” (Hebrews 3:13) “Mind your own business” is not a Christian phrase. We are called and commanded to be involved in each other’s lives. A related benefit of being in a Care Group is that it also provides the spiritual protection of godly leaders. God gives our leaders the responsibilities of a shepherd - to guard, protect, defend, and care for the spiritual welfare of his flock. Satan loves detached believers, unplugged from the life of the body, isolated from God’s family, and unaccountable to spiritual leaders, because he knows this makes them defenceless and powerless against his tactics.