Family in Christ

Of this ‘family’ of the redeemed some are in heaven already, and some are still on earth; but they all belong to the same family, the whole family. The Unsearchable Riches of Christ, 116

David Martyn Lloyd-Jones (Welsh Preacher and Writer)

1. Opening Hook (2 minutes)

Ask: “When you hear the word ‘family,’ what comes to mind? Do you think of parents, siblings, maybe even close friends who feel like family?” Explain: In the first century, family wasn’t just who you lived with—it was your identity, your safety net, your future. Joseph Hellerman says Jesus used this deep picture of family to describe what His church should look like.

2. Scripture Reading (3 minutes)

Read Mark 3:20–35 out loud together.

Key part (v. 33–35): “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.’”

3. Breaking It Down (10 minutes)

a. Crowds and Pressure (v. 20–21, 31–32)

Jesus’ own family thought He was crazy.

Religious leaders thought He was evil.

Even His family showed up to pull Him away. 👉 Sometimes following Jesus makes others question us—even those closest to us.

Discussion Question:

Have you ever felt pressure from friends or family when it comes to your faith? What was that like?

b. Redefining Family (v. 33–35)

Jesus wasn’t rejecting His mom or brothers—He was expanding the definition of family.

The church isn’t just people who believe the same thing; it’s a new kind of family bonded in Christ. 👉 This means we treat each other as brothers and sisters, not just as people we see once a week.

Discussion Question:

What do you think it would look like if our youth group lived like a real family?

How would church feel different if we treated each other like brothers and sisters instead of just friends?

4. Application (4 minutes)

Hellerman reminds us that the early church depended on each other like family—for support, encouragement, even survival.

Challenge: This week, practice treating someone in church like family.

Text someone to encourage them.

Invite someone to sit with you at lunch or in service.

Pray for someone specifically, like you’d pray for a brother or sister.

👉 When we live like this, we show the world that the family of Jesus is real, and it’s better than anything else.

5. Wrap-Up & Prayer (1 minute)

Close with: “Jesus calls us into a family that’s bigger than blood. It’s about doing God’s will together. Let’s be a family where no one feels left out and everyone knows they belong.”

Prayer: Thank God for bringing us into His family, and ask Him to help us live like true brothers and sisters in Christ.