Co-Heirs (Belonging): I belong in God's Family

Monthly Theme: Co-Heirs (Belonging): I belong in God's Family

Starting Verses:

Ephesians 3:6 “This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.”

1 John 3:1 “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.”

There are such cool things to be pointed out in Ephesians 3:6 about who God’s people are and what they receive. This is something we’ll get to dive deeper into as the months of the school year go by, but as we get started and as we settle into that summer, post-convention rhythm- I’d love for us to start to focus in on the idea that we are called “heirs” or children of God as mentioned in 1 John 3:1. At first thought, I think of my classroom of students and how I consider that a sort of family while at the school house. Students and teachers support each other, grow together, laugh, celebrate each other, and even sometimes cry together. This is a great look at what Chritian community or specifically our chapter can practically look like when we walk with God. This is amazing and a wonderful way to think about what we want to build around us in recruitment or other Christian spaces we occupy this summer.

However, this is only one part of belonging in God’s family that's pointed out! The word “heir” gives the connotation that we receive something. Specifically, that is the promise of Christ Jesus. That is a pretty big thing to receive and something we all have heard as we came to the faith in some way. But I would love to sit in how amazing it is but also how it can still feel a bit mysterious to us because we don’t fathom all that God is and what He gives us. What I do know though is that the promise of Jesus is good and full of life even despite the fact we fall short of deserving it. Additionally, we are co-heirs with the rest of the family of God. So this amazing promise we’re given- others also receive. This is such a great reminder that whatever frustrations we may feel or how tired we are, those around us also are in the family of God and are heirs to the promise of Christ Jesus. Remembering that strengthens my heart for serving others, loving others well, and for being a welcoming space for them to go.