Born Again - Family Feud
Dealing With Sibling Rivalry
Day 1: Born Into a New Family
When you became a Christian, something radical happened. You weren't just given a spiritual upgrade or a better version of your old life. You were completely transformed and adopted into God's family. This means every other believer around the world is now your brother or sister in the truest sense. Many people today say they love Jesus but struggle with the church. They want the Savior without the family, the benefits without the relationships. But here's the truth: you can't separate Jesus from His bride, the church. When Christ died on the cross, He wasn't just saving individuals - He was creating a family, a community bound together by something stronger than blood. Think about your earthly family. You didn't choose your siblings, and they certainly aren't perfect. There are disagreements, misunderstandings, and moments of frustration. But you don't abandon them when things get tough because family is family. The same principle applies to your spiritual family. As God's children, we share something more powerful than any earthly bond. We have the same Father, the same Savior, and the same Spirit living within us. This divine connection transcends race, culture, economic status, and personality differences. When we truly grasp this reality, it changes how we view other believers - not as strangers who happen to attend the same building, but as family members we're called to love, support, and stick with through thick and thin. Your spiritual family needs you, and you need them. God designed it this way intentionally because He knows we grow best in community, not isolation.
Bible Verse
"The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." - Romans 8:15-17
"If you are children of God, you're not individuals who attend the same building once a week. Your siblings, your brothers and sisters."
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for adopting me into Your family. Help me to see other believers not as strangers or acquaintances, but as my true brothers and sisters. Give me the grace to love them unconditionally and the commitment to work through difficulties rather than walking away. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Day 2: The Humility of a Child
In our achievement-oriented world, we're constantly measuring success by how high we can climb, how much we can accomplish, and how independent we can become. But Jesus turned this thinking completely upside down when He placed a child in the midst of His disciples and declared that this little one represented true greatness in God's kingdom. Children possess something we adults often lose: complete dependence and trust. A toddler doesn't worry about providing their next meal, protecting themselves from danger, or figuring out life's complexities. They simply trust that their parents will take care of everything. This isn't weakness - it's wisdom. In God's family, greatness isn't measured by how much you can do for yourself, but by how much you trust your Heavenly Father to do for you. It's not about demanding your own way or proving your worth through achievements. True spiritual maturity looks like humility - lowering yourself rather than elevating yourself, serving others rather than expecting to be served. This childlike humility transforms how we relate to our spiritual siblings. Instead of competing with them or trying to prove we're more spiritual, we can celebrate their successes and support them in their struggles. We can admit when we're wrong, ask for help when we need it, and trust that God is working in all of us. When we embrace this childlike dependence on God, we discover a freedom that comes from knowing we don't have to have it all figured out. We can rest in our Father's love and care, just like a child rests in their parent's arms.
Bible Verse
"And he said: 'Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'" - Matthew 18:3-4
Question
In what areas of your life are you trying to be self-sufficient instead of trusting God like a child trusts their parent?
"In God's family, in his children, greatness is measured by humility, by lowering yourself, not raising yourself up, not demanding your own way, but lowering yourself."
Prayer
Lord Jesus, help me to become like a little child in my faith. Remove my pride and self-reliance, and teach me to depend on You completely. Show me how to serve others with humility rather than seeking my own recognition. Thank You for being my perfect Father who cares for all my needs. Amen.
Day 3: Handling Conflict God's Way
Conflict is inevitable in any family, including God's family. The question isn't whether disagreements will arise among believers, but how we'll handle them when they do. Unfortunately, many Christians today approach conflict in ways that damage relationships rather than restore them. When someone hurts or offends us, our natural tendency is to talk to everyone except the person who actually wronged us. We share our frustration with friends, family members, or other church members, hoping to gain sympathy and support. But this approach only spreads division and makes resolution more difficult. Jesus gave us a better way. When conflict arises, go directly to the person involved - privately and humbly. Most of the time, what we perceive as an offense is actually a misunderstanding or the result of our own pride. When we approach someone with genuine love and a desire to understand their perspective, many conflicts can be resolved quickly and relationships can be strengthened. If private conversation doesn't work, Jesus outlined the next steps: bring one or two witnesses to help facilitate understanding, and if necessary, involve church leadership. This process protects everyone involved and prioritizes restoration over retaliation. Remember, the goal isn't to prove you're right or to punish the other person. The goal is reconciliation and unity within God's family. When we handle conflicts according to God's design, we demonstrate His love to a watching world and create opportunities for deeper relationships with our spiritual siblings.
Bible Verse
"If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector." - Matthew 18:15-17
Prayer
Father, give me the courage to handle conflicts in a way that honors You and protects relationships. Help me to approach others with humility and love, seeking understanding rather than vindication. Teach me to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Guide me in Your ways of peace. Amen.
Day 4: The Power of Forgiveness
Forgiveness might be the most challenging aspect of family life, whether in our earthly families or our spiritual family. When someone hurts us deeply, every fiber of our being wants to hold onto that offense, to make them pay, to ensure they understand how much they've wounded us. But unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to get sick. Here's a truth that might sting: we don't forgive people because they deserve it. If we only forgave those who deserved forgiveness, none of us would ever be forgiven by God. We forgive because we have been forgiven. We extend grace because grace has been extended to us. We show mercy because mercy has been shown to us. When we refuse to forgive a brother or sister in Christ, we reveal our spiritual immaturity. We're essentially saying that our hurt is more important than God's command, that our pain justifies our disobedience. But this attitude makes us look more like Satan - the accuser of the brethren - than like our Heavenly Father. Forgiveness doesn't mean pretending the offense never happened or that it didn't hurt. It means choosing to release the debt, to stop demanding payment, and to trust God to handle justice in His way and timing. When we forgive, we free ourselves from the prison of bitterness and open the door for healing and restoration. Remember, the church is a hospital for the sick, not a museum for the perfect. We're all broken people serving a perfect Christ, which means we'll all need forgiveness and we'll all need to give it. This is how the world will know we belong to Jesus - by our love for one another, especially when that love is costly.
Bible Verse
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." - John 13:34-35
Question
Who in your life do you need to forgive, and what steps will you take today to begin that process?
"We don't forgive people because they deserve it! We forgive people because God our Father forgives us even though we don't deserve forgiveness."
Prayer
Merciful God, thank You for forgiving me when I didn't deserve it. Help me to extend that same forgiveness to those who have hurt me. Heal my heart from bitterness and resentment, and give me the strength to love as You have loved me. Show me how to be an agent of reconciliation in Your family. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Day 5: Unity That Amazes the World
Imagine walking into a room and seeing people from every conceivable background - different races, economic levels, political views, and life experiences - all genuinely loving and caring for each other. In our divided world, this would be shocking, almost unbelievable. Yet this is exactly what God intended His church to be: a living demonstration of supernatural unity that makes the world stop and wonder. Jesus prayed that His followers would be one, just as He and the Father are one, so that the world would believe. Our unity isn't just a nice ideal - it's our primary evangelistic tool. When people see believers from diverse backgrounds choosing to stay together through disagreements, forgiving each other's failures, and genuinely caring for one another, they witness something that can't be explained by human nature alone. This kind of unity doesn't happen automatically. It requires intentional commitment to work through problems rather than walking away when things get difficult. In our culture, we're taught to leave relationships when they become challenging, to find new communities when the current one disappoints us. But God's family operates differently. We stay. We work it out. We choose love over convenience. When conflicts arise - and they will - we have an opportunity to show the world something extraordinary. Instead of splitting apart like every other human organization, we can demonstrate the power of Christ's love to hold us together. We can disagree and still be family. We can hurt each other and still choose forgiveness. We can be imperfect people serving a perfect Christ. This is the mystery that draws people to Jesus: not our perfection, but our commitment to love each other despite our imperfections. When the world sees this kind of supernatural unity, they can't help but ask, "What makes these people different?" And that question opens the door to share the Gospel.
Bible Verse
"I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." - John 17:22-23
Question
How can you contribute to the unity of your church family this week, especially in areas where there might be tension or disagreement?
"It's love and unity that the world look at and they can't explain it. How could so many diverse people who all profess Christ be one?"
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for praying for our unity. Help me to be a peacemaker in Your family, choosing love over being right, and commitment over convenience. Use our unity to draw others to You, and help me to see every conflict as an opportunity to demonstrate Your supernatural love. Make us one as You and the Father are one. Amen.
When you became a Christian, something radical happened. You weren't just given a spiritual upgrade or a better version of your old life. You were completely transformed and adopted into God's family. This means every other believer around the world is now your brother or sister in the truest sense. Many people today say they love Jesus but struggle with the church. They want the Savior without the family, the benefits without the relationships. But here's the truth: you can't separate Jesus from His bride, the church. When Christ died on the cross, He wasn't just saving individuals - He was creating a family, a community bound together by something stronger than blood. Think about your earthly family. You didn't choose your siblings, and they certainly aren't perfect. There are disagreements, misunderstandings, and moments of frustration. But you don't abandon them when things get tough because family is family. The same principle applies to your spiritual family. As God's children, we share something more powerful than any earthly bond. We have the same Father, the same Savior, and the same Spirit living within us. This divine connection transcends race, culture, economic status, and personality differences. When we truly grasp this reality, it changes how we view other believers - not as strangers who happen to attend the same building, but as family members we're called to love, support, and stick with through thick and thin. Your spiritual family needs you, and you need them. God designed it this way intentionally because He knows we grow best in community, not isolation.
Bible Verse
"The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." - Romans 8:15-17
"If you are children of God, you're not individuals who attend the same building once a week. Your siblings, your brothers and sisters."
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for adopting me into Your family. Help me to see other believers not as strangers or acquaintances, but as my true brothers and sisters. Give me the grace to love them unconditionally and the commitment to work through difficulties rather than walking away. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Day 2: The Humility of a Child
In our achievement-oriented world, we're constantly measuring success by how high we can climb, how much we can accomplish, and how independent we can become. But Jesus turned this thinking completely upside down when He placed a child in the midst of His disciples and declared that this little one represented true greatness in God's kingdom. Children possess something we adults often lose: complete dependence and trust. A toddler doesn't worry about providing their next meal, protecting themselves from danger, or figuring out life's complexities. They simply trust that their parents will take care of everything. This isn't weakness - it's wisdom. In God's family, greatness isn't measured by how much you can do for yourself, but by how much you trust your Heavenly Father to do for you. It's not about demanding your own way or proving your worth through achievements. True spiritual maturity looks like humility - lowering yourself rather than elevating yourself, serving others rather than expecting to be served. This childlike humility transforms how we relate to our spiritual siblings. Instead of competing with them or trying to prove we're more spiritual, we can celebrate their successes and support them in their struggles. We can admit when we're wrong, ask for help when we need it, and trust that God is working in all of us. When we embrace this childlike dependence on God, we discover a freedom that comes from knowing we don't have to have it all figured out. We can rest in our Father's love and care, just like a child rests in their parent's arms.
Bible Verse
"And he said: 'Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'" - Matthew 18:3-4
Question
In what areas of your life are you trying to be self-sufficient instead of trusting God like a child trusts their parent?
"In God's family, in his children, greatness is measured by humility, by lowering yourself, not raising yourself up, not demanding your own way, but lowering yourself."
Prayer
Lord Jesus, help me to become like a little child in my faith. Remove my pride and self-reliance, and teach me to depend on You completely. Show me how to serve others with humility rather than seeking my own recognition. Thank You for being my perfect Father who cares for all my needs. Amen.
Day 3: Handling Conflict God's Way
Conflict is inevitable in any family, including God's family. The question isn't whether disagreements will arise among believers, but how we'll handle them when they do. Unfortunately, many Christians today approach conflict in ways that damage relationships rather than restore them. When someone hurts or offends us, our natural tendency is to talk to everyone except the person who actually wronged us. We share our frustration with friends, family members, or other church members, hoping to gain sympathy and support. But this approach only spreads division and makes resolution more difficult. Jesus gave us a better way. When conflict arises, go directly to the person involved - privately and humbly. Most of the time, what we perceive as an offense is actually a misunderstanding or the result of our own pride. When we approach someone with genuine love and a desire to understand their perspective, many conflicts can be resolved quickly and relationships can be strengthened. If private conversation doesn't work, Jesus outlined the next steps: bring one or two witnesses to help facilitate understanding, and if necessary, involve church leadership. This process protects everyone involved and prioritizes restoration over retaliation. Remember, the goal isn't to prove you're right or to punish the other person. The goal is reconciliation and unity within God's family. When we handle conflicts according to God's design, we demonstrate His love to a watching world and create opportunities for deeper relationships with our spiritual siblings.
Bible Verse
"If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector." - Matthew 18:15-17
Prayer
Father, give me the courage to handle conflicts in a way that honors You and protects relationships. Help me to approach others with humility and love, seeking understanding rather than vindication. Teach me to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Guide me in Your ways of peace. Amen.
Day 4: The Power of Forgiveness
Forgiveness might be the most challenging aspect of family life, whether in our earthly families or our spiritual family. When someone hurts us deeply, every fiber of our being wants to hold onto that offense, to make them pay, to ensure they understand how much they've wounded us. But unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to get sick. Here's a truth that might sting: we don't forgive people because they deserve it. If we only forgave those who deserved forgiveness, none of us would ever be forgiven by God. We forgive because we have been forgiven. We extend grace because grace has been extended to us. We show mercy because mercy has been shown to us. When we refuse to forgive a brother or sister in Christ, we reveal our spiritual immaturity. We're essentially saying that our hurt is more important than God's command, that our pain justifies our disobedience. But this attitude makes us look more like Satan - the accuser of the brethren - than like our Heavenly Father. Forgiveness doesn't mean pretending the offense never happened or that it didn't hurt. It means choosing to release the debt, to stop demanding payment, and to trust God to handle justice in His way and timing. When we forgive, we free ourselves from the prison of bitterness and open the door for healing and restoration. Remember, the church is a hospital for the sick, not a museum for the perfect. We're all broken people serving a perfect Christ, which means we'll all need forgiveness and we'll all need to give it. This is how the world will know we belong to Jesus - by our love for one another, especially when that love is costly.
Bible Verse
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." - John 13:34-35
Question
Who in your life do you need to forgive, and what steps will you take today to begin that process?
"We don't forgive people because they deserve it! We forgive people because God our Father forgives us even though we don't deserve forgiveness."
Prayer
Merciful God, thank You for forgiving me when I didn't deserve it. Help me to extend that same forgiveness to those who have hurt me. Heal my heart from bitterness and resentment, and give me the strength to love as You have loved me. Show me how to be an agent of reconciliation in Your family. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Day 5: Unity That Amazes the World
Imagine walking into a room and seeing people from every conceivable background - different races, economic levels, political views, and life experiences - all genuinely loving and caring for each other. In our divided world, this would be shocking, almost unbelievable. Yet this is exactly what God intended His church to be: a living demonstration of supernatural unity that makes the world stop and wonder. Jesus prayed that His followers would be one, just as He and the Father are one, so that the world would believe. Our unity isn't just a nice ideal - it's our primary evangelistic tool. When people see believers from diverse backgrounds choosing to stay together through disagreements, forgiving each other's failures, and genuinely caring for one another, they witness something that can't be explained by human nature alone. This kind of unity doesn't happen automatically. It requires intentional commitment to work through problems rather than walking away when things get difficult. In our culture, we're taught to leave relationships when they become challenging, to find new communities when the current one disappoints us. But God's family operates differently. We stay. We work it out. We choose love over convenience. When conflicts arise - and they will - we have an opportunity to show the world something extraordinary. Instead of splitting apart like every other human organization, we can demonstrate the power of Christ's love to hold us together. We can disagree and still be family. We can hurt each other and still choose forgiveness. We can be imperfect people serving a perfect Christ. This is the mystery that draws people to Jesus: not our perfection, but our commitment to love each other despite our imperfections. When the world sees this kind of supernatural unity, they can't help but ask, "What makes these people different?" And that question opens the door to share the Gospel.
Bible Verse
"I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." - John 17:22-23
Question
How can you contribute to the unity of your church family this week, especially in areas where there might be tension or disagreement?
"It's love and unity that the world look at and they can't explain it. How could so many diverse people who all profess Christ be one?"
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for praying for our unity. Help me to be a peacemaker in Your family, choosing love over being right, and commitment over convenience. Use our unity to draw others to You, and help me to see every conflict as an opportunity to demonstrate Your supernatural love. Make us one as You and the Father are one. Amen.
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