{"id":3719,"date":"2020-12-22T16:28:00","date_gmt":"2020-12-22T16:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/2020\/12\/22\/drawing-your-family-close-to-the-church\/"},"modified":"2023-06-02T07:02:30","modified_gmt":"2023-06-02T05:02:30","slug":"drawing-your-family-close-to-the-church","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/drawing-your-family-close-to-the-church\/","title":{"rendered":"Drawing Your Family Close to the Church"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<center><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gfX_Z5LNj-k\" title=\"Sittin\u2019 With Sam Ep 31 Drawing Your Family Close to Your Church\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe><\/center>\n\n\n\n<p><br>\n  <span> God calls his children to love one another. And he doesn\u2019t just want us to love one another from afar; he wants us to be deeply close. Jesus calls his church to be a family\u2014to care for one another and share life together. As parents, let us teach our children to draw close to our local church family, building sincere friendships within the fellowship. This will be a source of tremendous joy and blessing to them. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  <span> 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, because you love one another. \u2013 John 13:34-35 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  <span style=\"font-weight: 700\"> I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. <\/span>\n  <span> My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. \u2013 John 15:11-13 (emphasis added) <\/span>\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  <span> Loving each other as Jesus taught us will please God and draw us closer to him, and will give us warm, close friendships in our local church. When we were raising our children, we sought to build relationships with other families in our church, consistently spending time and having fun together. We encouraged our children to build their closest friendships with kids who would encourage them spiritually. As the Bible puts it, &#8220;Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers&#8221; \u2013 Galatians 6:10. <\/span>\n<\/p><center>\n<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"445\" height=\"298\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Drawing-Family-Close-to-the-Church.png?resize=445%2C298&#038;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Drawing-Family-Close-to-the-Church.png 445w, https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Drawing-Family-Close-to-the-Church-300x201.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 445px) 100vw, 445px\"><\/center>\n<p><br>\n  <span> Of course, the more time we spend with others, the more opportunities we have for conflict or misunderstanding. When our kids have conflict with friends at church, it is an opportunity for learning about repentance and forgiveness. Let\u2019s help our children to overcome their mistakes and express or accept any needed apologies. We also may sometimes need to humbly and lovingly work with other parents as we both seek to help our kids work through their conflicts. Paul teaches us that we are to help each other to grow as we speak the truth in love to one other: <\/span>\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  <span style=\"font-style: italic\"> Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 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. \u2013 <\/span>\n  <span> Ephesians 4:15-16 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  <span> Helping our children develop friendships with spiritual kids will bear fruit for many years. As our children grow older, they will need godly friendships more and more, especially as they enter the preteen and teen years. And of course, let\u2019s seek to stay close to our own Christian friends, knowing that our example will show our kids the greatness of God\u2019s plan for warm, caring relationships in the church. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  <span> As we see in the passage below, God calls upon us to respect spiritual leaders in his church: <\/span>\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  <span style=\"font-style: italic\"> Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. \u2013 <\/span>\n  <span> 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 <\/span>\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  <span> Let\u2019s encourage our children to have respect for leaders in our church, to develop relationships with them, and to learn from their teaching. Our children need heroes and mentors within the church to help strengthen their faith. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  <span> One of God\u2019s most wonderful plans for us is to be close to our fellow disciples\u2014to truly be a family. The relationships we build in God\u2019s family will give us spiritual guidance, great encouragement, and lasting memories. What a blessing! <\/span>\n<\/p>\n<p>\n  <span style=\"font-style: italic\"> Come on over to our YouTube channel for more on this topic in the Sittin\u2019 With Sam series! Shared from Sam Laing&#8217;s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/warriorforthelord.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Warrior for the Lord<\/a><span style=\"font-style: italic\">. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As parents, let us teach our children to draw close to our local church family, building sincere friendships within the&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":3720,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ghostkit_customizer_options":"","ghostkit_custom_css":"","ghostkit_custom_js_head":"","ghostkit_custom_js_foot":"","ghostkit_typography":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"post_folder":[151],"class_list":["post-3719","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-families"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Drawing-Family-Close-to-the-Church.png?fit=445%2C298&ssl=1","author_info":{"display_name":"dtadmin","author_link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/author\/dtadmin\/"},"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/phsvEw-XZ","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2534,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/the-church-in-st-vincent-and-the-grenadines-celebrates-20-years\/","url_meta":{"origin":3719,"position":0},"title":"St. Vincent and the Grenadines ICOC Celebrates 20 Years","author":"dtadmin","date":"February 14, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"On November 29th, 2020, the church in St. Vincent and the Grenadines commemorated its 20th anniversary with a special worship service themed \u2018In God\u2019s Hands\u2019. Indeed, the journey of the church to this point bears true testimony as to the sure and gracious guidance of our Lord.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/st_vincent_and_the_grenadines_20_years_thumbnail.jpg?fit=600%2C449&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/st_vincent_and_the_grenadines_20_years_thumbnail.jpg?fit=600%2C449&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/st_vincent_and_the_grenadines_20_years_thumbnail.jpg?fit=600%2C449&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3556,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/our-journey-toward-racial-unity-part-i-and-ii\/","url_meta":{"origin":3719,"position":1},"title":"Our Journey Toward Racial Unity: Part I and II","author":"dtadmin","date":"July 28, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"This article is the first two parts of a series describing the journey to focus on African-Americans in the Denver Church of Christ.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Commentary&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Commentary","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/commentary\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/chris_jacobs.jpg?fit=600%2C453&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/chris_jacobs.jpg?fit=600%2C453&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/chris_jacobs.jpg?fit=600%2C453&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":31362,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/lagos-church-youth-camp-2026\/","url_meta":{"origin":3719,"position":2},"title":"Lagos Church Youth Camp 2026","author":"Sunday Awolowo","date":"September 9, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The Lagos Church Teen Camp gathered 261 youngsters for a week of faith, fellowship, growth, and becoming more like Jesus together.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Families&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Families","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/families\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Group of Lagos teen camp.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Nigeria-Teens1.jpg?fit=1200%2C503&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Nigeria-Teens1.jpg?fit=1200%2C503&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Nigeria-Teens1.jpg?fit=1200%2C503&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Nigeria-Teens1.jpg?fit=1200%2C503&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Nigeria-Teens1.jpg?fit=1200%2C503&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":24525,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/how-friendships-shape-your-future\/","url_meta":{"origin":3719,"position":3},"title":"How Friendships Shape Your Future","author":"Sunday Awolowo","date":"September 11, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother \u2013 Proverbs 18:24.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/christian-ray-mozambique.jpg?fit=1200%2C738&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/christian-ray-mozambique.jpg?fit=1200%2C738&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/christian-ray-mozambique.jpg?fit=1200%2C738&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/christian-ray-mozambique.jpg?fit=1200%2C738&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/christian-ray-mozambique.jpg?fit=1200%2C738&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3909,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/lebanon-church-grows-through-deep-roots-class\/","url_meta":{"origin":3719,"position":4},"title":"Lebanon Church of Christ Grows Through &quot;Deep Roots&quot; 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