Day 3: Storge, the Love of Family
Bible passage: Ephesians 4:1–3; Ecclesiastes 4:9–12
The Love That Says You Belong
Today is Sunday 10th of April 2022, Palm Sunday. Welcome to Day 3 of our 7 Days of Prayer and Fasting. Today we look at storge (said “stor-GAY”): the natural affection of family.
This is the love between parents and children, brothers and sisters, grandparents and grandchildren. Nobody has to earn it. It grows quietly through shared life, and it is very hard to break.
A Family Made by God
The Father’s Love
We see this love in God Himself. At the baptism of Jesus, the Father spoke from heaven and declared that this was His dearly loved Son, who brought Him great joy (Matthew 3:17). Before Jesus had preached a sermon or worked a miracle, the Father had already spoken His love over Him.
Adopted into the Family
Through Jesus, that family has been opened to us. Paul says that we are no longer strangers and foreigners but members of God’s household (Ephesians 2:19). When he tells the Romans to love each other with real affection (Romans 12:10), he uses a word built on storge. He expects Christians to feel about one another the way a family does.
Our bond is deeper than shared blood. We have been brought together by the blood of Jesus and joined by one Spirit.
Why Family Matters
Better Together
Ecclesiastes puts it simply. Two are better than one. If one falls, the other can help them up. Two can keep warm, and two can stand against an attack. And then: “a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NLT)
God never meant you to follow Jesus alone. In a family there is someone to laugh with, someone to cry with and someone to stand beside you when life is hard.
Keeping the Family Together
Families also rub each other up the wrong way. So Paul urges us to be humble and gentle, to be patient with one another, and to make every effort to stay united in the Spirit (Ephesians 4:1–3).
Belong. Do not stay on the edge. Join a Life Group, serve on a team and let people know you.
Refuse offence. When someone upsets you, go to them. Do not go to others about them.
Make room. Look for the person who has no family nearby and include them in yours.
Prayer Points for Today
Pray that everyone who comes into our church would be welcomed as family.
Pray that we would stay united and that no division would take root.
Pray that we would be slow to take offence and quick to forgive.
Pray that every member would know that they belong in God’s family.
Prayer for Today:
Father, thank You that You have adopted me into Your family. Thank You for my brothers and sisters in Christ. Guard our unity. Heal any relationship that has been damaged, and give me a humble and gentle heart. Help me to make room for those who feel alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Keep going
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