Family Matters: Embracing the Kingdom Family of God

Family is one of the most powerful forces in our lives—sometimes a source of deep joy, sometimes a place of pain or confusion. God designed family, and from the very beginning, He has always existed in community: Father, Son, and Spirit. This divine family is the blueprint for our own relationships, but as we know from Genesis onward, sin and brokenness have fractured what God intended to be “very good.” Our earthly families, with all their beauty and mess, point us toward a deeper reality: the family of God.

When Jesus walked the earth, He experienced the full spectrum of family dynamics. Even His own mother and brothers misunderstood Him, at times opposing His mission. Yet, in a moment of tension, Jesus redefined what it means to be family—not by biology, but by obedience to the will of the Father. He pointed to His followers and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister.” In this, Jesus elevated the spiritual family above even the closest earthly ties, not to diminish the value of our biological families, but to show us the greater reality of the kingdom family.

This kingdom family is not exclusive or based on our background, achievements, or even our earthly family. It is open to all who trust in Jesus, who follow the Son. Through Him, we are adopted into God’s family, given full rights and privileges as sons and daughters. This adoption is not a reluctant obligation on God’s part, but a source of great pleasure and joy for Him. Just as an adopted child receives a new name and a permanent place in a family, so we are given a new identity and a secure belonging in God’s household.

The tie that binds us is not our blood, but the blood of Christ. This means that, as followers of Jesus, we are brothers and sisters—sometimes disagreeing, sometimes struggling, but always united by something deeper than preference or personality. Our commitment to the family of God should take priority, even when it creates tension with our earthly families. Jesus modeled this for us, calling us to love and invest in our spiritual family, to be present for one another, and to let our identity as children of God shape every other relationship in our lives.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Spiritual family transcends biological ties Jesus redefined family as those who do the will of the Father, showing that our deepest belonging is not determined by blood, but by our relationship with God through Christ. This challenges us to see our church community as true family, worthy of our loyalty, investment, and love—even when it’s difficult or uncomfortable. [34:42]
• 2. Adoption into God’s family is a gift of grace God’s desire to adopt us is not out of obligation, but out of deep pleasure and love. Like a family who chooses to adopt a child, God knows our history and our brokenness, yet He welcomes us fully, giving us a new name and a permanent place in His family. This truth should fill us with gratitude and security, knowing we are wanted and cherished. [41:10]
• 3. The blood of Christ is the tie that binds Our unity as the family of God is not based on shared interests, backgrounds, or even agreement, but on the sacrificial love of Jesus. This means we are called to love, forgive, and support one another, even when we disagree or struggle. The church is not a club or a social group, but a family bound together by Christ’s sacrifice. [47:07]
• 4. Obedience to God’s family takes priority Jesus modeled that obedience to the Father and commitment to the kingdom family sometimes requires hard choices, even when it creates tension with our earthly families. We are called to honor our biological families, but our ultimate allegiance is to God and His people. This may be challenging, but it is the path to true belonging and purpose. [49:14]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [15:56] - Sunday Energy and Church Family
• [16:20] - Introducing the Family Matters Series
• [17:21] - Church Partnerships and Community
• [18:53] - What Family Means to Us
• [20:54] - God’s Design for Family
• [21:42] - The First Family and Brokenness
• [23:31] - What Binds the Family of God?
• [24:56] - Jesus Redefines Family
• [26:58] - Jesus’ Family Opposes Him
• [29:18] - The Deeper Meaning of “Speak”
• [33:29] - Jesus Elevates Spiritual Family
• [36:01] - Building the Kingdom Family
• [40:12] - Adoption into God’s Family
• [46:41] - The Tie That Binds: Christ’s Blood
• [49:14] - Prioritizing the Kingdom Family
• [50:39] - Invitation to Join God’s Family
• [51:34] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Reading

Matthew 12:46-50 (NIV) — > While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”
> He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?”
> Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Ephesians 1:4-5 (NIV) — > For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.

Observation Questions

1. In Matthew 12, what was Jesus’ response when told that his mother and brothers were waiting outside to speak with him? What did he do and say in that moment?
2. According to the sermon, how did Jesus’ own family react to his ministry and message at this point in his life? ([26:58])
3. In Ephesians 1, what words are used to describe God’s attitude toward adopting us into his family?
4. What does Jesus say is the defining characteristic of his true family? ([34:42])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus chose to redefine family in that moment, even though it might have seemed disrespectful to his biological family? What was he trying to teach his followers? ([34:42])
2. The sermon says that God’s adoption of us is not out of obligation, but out of pleasure and love. How does this change the way someone might view their relationship with God? ([41:10])
3. The tie that binds the family of God is not biology, but the blood of Christ. What does this mean for how we relate to other believers, especially those who are very different from us? ([47:07])
4. Jesus’ commitment to the spiritual family sometimes created tension with his earthly family. What does this suggest about the priorities Jesus wants his followers to have? ([49:14])

Application Questions

1. Think about your own family background—whether it’s a source of joy, pain, or a mix of both. How does knowing that God invites you into his family impact the way you see yourself and your story? ([20:54])
2. Jesus said that whoever does the will of his Father is his brother and sister. What are some practical ways you can prioritize obedience to God, even if it’s uncomfortable or misunderstood by those closest to you? ([34:42])
3. The sermon described God’s adoption as something he does with great pleasure, not reluctance. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to believe that God actually wants you in his family? How can you remind yourself of this truth? ([41:10])
4. The church is described as a real family, not just a social group. What is one way you can invest more deeply in your spiritual family this month—maybe by reaching out to someone, serving, or being present for someone in need? ([47:07])
5. Have you ever experienced tension between your commitment to Jesus and your earthly family’s expectations or values? How did you handle it, or how do you wish you had handled it? ([49:14])
6. The sermon mentioned that sometimes we disagree or struggle with people in our church family, but we’re still called to love and support each other. Is there someone in your church family you find it hard to get along with? What is one step you could take to move toward unity or forgiveness? ([47:07])
7. If you have never thought of yourself as “adopted” into God’s family, what would it look like to embrace that identity this week? How might it change the way you approach God in prayer or interact with others in the church? ([41:10])