You were formed for God’s family, a family to be known for love. You need to understand what it means to be attached to Jesus. People need to know who you are, not by your car, job, social media posts, and not by your church attendance. People should know that you are connected to Jesus by your love.

The whole Bible is a story about God forming His family into those who will love Him, honor Him, and reign with Him forever. Everyone is created by God, but not everyone is in the family of God. You have to choose His family, and to let Him fill you with His love so that you might demonstrate who He is to others.

KEY VERSES

GALATIANS 3:26 (NASB)

26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

EPHESIANS 2:19 (NASB)

19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the [a]saints, and are of God’s household,

JOHN 1:12 (NASB)

12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,

MATTHEW 28:19 (NASB)

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

1 CORINTHIANS 13:3 (NASB)

3 And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body [a]to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

JOHN 13:33-35 (NASB)

33 Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

ROMANS 12:4-5 (NASB)

4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

UNDERSTANDING

• What is one word you think other people might use to describe you?

• Is there something you would say your family is known for? If so, what?

• What about our church? What do you think people in the community would say Low Country Community Church is known for?

• What are some things you think our church should be known for?

• By trusting in Christ as Lord and Savior, what “right” are people given?

• 
  When did you become part of God’s family? What is different about your life because of your inclusion in God’s family?

• What does the phrase, “as many as have received him” tell you about God’s family? About what on earth you’re here for?

• Besides baptism, what are some other practical ways you can signify inclusion in God’s family?

• Does it surprise you that love is something Jesus had to command? Why or why not?

• Who is your “one another”? Why must love for God and love for others go hand in hand?

• What did Jesus mean when He said for the disciples to love one another in the same way He loved them? How had He loved them?

• What are the ramifications of Jesus’ statement in verse 35? What message do you give the world when you show sacrificial love to others? What message do you give when you choose not to love others?

• Can you be faithful to Jesus (demonstrating love) if you’re not also faithful (demonstrating love) to the other people who also follow Jesus? Why not?

• How does it make you feel to know that you belong to other people in the body of Christ? What does that mean? What doesn’t it mean?

• Respond to this statement from this week’s message: “Community requires commitment.” What struggle is there for you in that truth? What blessing?

  APPLICATION

• Of the four points of application made in this week’s message (Choose to give your life to Christ. Be baptized. Love each other. Commit to the local church.), which is God speaking to you about today? Explain.

• What would change in your life if you were to truly live as God’s child and view yourself as a valued member of His forever family?

WANT TO DIVE DEEPER?

Here are several opportunities and resources which will help you discover the answer to life's most fundamental question: What on earth am I here for? 

GIVING

Everything that happens at LCC is because of your generous gifts. When you give to God through LCC, you're helping reach thousands with the Gospel each week and are making a difference for the Lowcountry and around the world.