Day 16: Joining a Family
When you became a Christian, you joined a family.

When you became a Christian, you joined a family. “What’s the difference?” you say. A lot. You can change your religion, but you can’t change your family. Your family is with you for life: through good and bad, thick or thin. Your family shapes who you are. The Bible says, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, He gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God” (John 1:12).

God's Family
This family is called The Church, and it is the most beautiful group of people on earth: God’s own children given the amazing privilege of showing the world who He is. 1 Peter 2:9-10 says, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God.” This family is spread across the whole world and is made up of every culture and language. It is not limited to a building, just as a natural family isn’t limited to their house.

"How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!" Psalm 133: 1

"Those who accepted his message were baptized, and three thousand were added to their number that day." Acts 2: 41

The Local Church
So how do you get connected in this family? As a Christian, you are automatically part of God’s large family, called the Universal Church, but He also has a smaller family for you to be a part of, called a local church. It’s like having relatives all over the world, but living with your immediate family. The Bible says, “God settles the solitary in a home; He leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land” (Psalm 68: 6). A local church is just a group of believers in Jesus who have committed to support each other and follow Jesus together. You may or may not belong to a local church right now, and there is still a bit to learn about it all, but take a moment now and just thank God for adopting you in His family and having a great plan for you.

"All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had." Acts 4: 32

Do you have a church? If not, we have a resource to help you find one.