Church Update
April 8, 2025
Dear Church of the Open Bible,
Our Awana Children’s Ministry year is drawing to a close. Last night I had the opportunity to teach about fellowship, and what it looks like to be a part of God’s family. We opened with sharing what can be hard about being a part of our biological families. Some of the most common answers were, “Having to obey,” or “Having consequences when I do something wrong,” and “Having to be nice to my sister even when she’s not nice to me.”
Then we shared some of the best things about being in our family. Celebrating together, like “going to the movies” or “playing with my siblings,” were popular answers. As well as “going to my parents when I’m scared or need help.”
As I reflected on the blessings and challenges of being brought into God’s family, the answers are so similar. Paul shares two things that should characterize us as we live in God’s family.
…giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. - Ephesians 5:20-21
Thankfulness and submission. This is what it looks like to be “imitators of God” as His children and to “walk in love” (Eph 5:1-2). It’s difficult enough to live these out in our smaller, biological families, but it’s imperative to live them out in God’s family. When we do, God is glorified and incredible beauty is portrayed to a longing world.
May we enjoy the blessing of being adopted into God’s family this week.
In Christ,
Pastor Jeremy