Day 348 "Church Time Equals Family Time"

Passage: Acts 21:5a

But when our time was up, we left and continued on our way. All the disciples and their wives and children accompanied us out of the city...

Devotion:

When it was time for Paul and his companions to leave Tyre, who accompanied them out of the city? Was it just the pastor, elders or deacons? What about the mission committee? Our passage tells us that it wasn't just the church leadership--it was all "the disciples and their wives and children". In other words, every single person in the church went to see Paul off on his trip.

I saw some friends recently who hadn't been at church for awhile, so I asked if everything was okay. Their answer surprised me, "We needed a little more "family time" so we started using Sundays for spending time together. We went to the beach last Sunday and we're going to Disneyland this week." My jaw dropped in amazement. Since when did going to church stop becoming a family event? When does listening to God's Word, talking about what was said, and praying together not qualify as "family time"? As someone who has experience with all sides of this issue, I can say without reservation that nothing is more beneficial to the family than coming to church. It is by far the most important and connecting "family time" you will ever spend.

Questions to Ponder:

Has going to church become separate events for your family? Does the youth group, men and women's ministries, choir, and various other activities and committees, serve to divide your family rather than unify? At our church, most of the lessons taught to children are simplified versions of what the pastor is teaching in the main assembly. Do you ever discuss what was taught together as a family? How can you make church more of a family event? How can you and your family connect with the broader church family for "family time."

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