Family Worship (Jan 25)

Have you ever seen a plant growing on a fence or a garden trellis? The fence does not grow fruit, but it helps the plant grow strong and healthy. Without it, the plant might fall over or break. God designed his church in a similar way. Jesus gives leaders to help guide and protect the church, but the church itself is made of people—families like yours—who love God and serve together.

In the Bible, Paul writes a letter to a church family in a city called Philippi. He does not talk only to the leaders. He talks to everyone—kids, parents, workers, helpers—because the whole church matters to God. Paul is thankful because they are working together to share God’s love. This reminds us that church is not something we just watch. It is something we are part of. When families pray, serve, forgive, and love together, God is growing something beautiful.

Philippians 1:1–11, NIV
“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”

Discussion Questions

1. Who does Paul say he is writing to, and what does that tell us about who belongs to the church?
2. What do you think it means to be “partners” in sharing God’s love? How can families do that together?
3. How can kids and adults both help the church grow in love and kindness?

Family Activity: Build and Grow
Gather a small plant, paper vine, or drawing materials. Create a simple “trellis” using sticks, cardboard, or blocks. Talk about how the trellis helps the plant grow. Then, have each family member name one way they can help the church grow—praying, helping others, welcoming new people, or listening to leaders. Write or draw these ideas and place them around the trellis. Remind everyone that God uses each person to help his church grow strong.

Closing Prayer
Jesus, thank you for making us part of your church. Thank you for giving leaders to guide us and for giving each of us a place to serve. Help our family grow in love, work together, and follow you with joy. Show us how to help your church grow strong and full of good fruit. Amen.

Memory Work

New City Catechism
4. How and why did God create us?
God created us male and female in his own image to know him, love him, live with him, and glorify him. And it is right that we who were created by God should live to his glory.

Memory Verse
Ephesians 4:11-12 (NIV)
"So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”