1. What the Local Church and Families Owe Each Other

2. Local Churches and Families Local churches were made up of families in the first century (Eph. 5:22 – 6:4; Col. 3:18-21) Both local church and family are of divine origin; both must work together

3. What the Local Church Owes the Family Not the upbringing of your children (Eph. 6:1) Not social and recreational activities or food and entertainment (Jn. 6:26-27; 1 Tim. 3:15)

4. What the Local Church Owes the Family Purity of membership (1 Cor. 5:6; Rev. 2-3) An atmosphere condusive of scriptural worship (Jn. 4:23-24; Col. 3:17; Amos 5:21ff) Opportunities for service: evangelism, edification, benevolence (Eph. 4:12) Plain Bible preaching (2 Tim. 4:2)

5. What the Local Church Owes the Family Qualified, spiritual leadership: (1 Tim. 3:1ff; Tit. 1:5ff) – Bishop: overseership (Phil. 1:1; Heb. 13:17) – Elder: example (Acts 14:23; 1 Pet. 5:2-3) – Pastor: spiritual nourishment (Acts 20:28; Eph. 4:11; 1 Pet. 5:2-3)

6. What Families Owe the Local Church The family and church must be careful about a “consumerism” approach; the family should not “shop around” and the church should not “market” or “advertise” – It’s not about your personal convenience – It’s not about “What’s in it for me”, “I’m here, now take care of me”, “What’s the preaching like?” – JFK: “Ask not what your country can do for you…”

7. What Families Owe the Local Church Joining with commitment (Acts 2:47; 9:26-28) Encouragement (Acts 21:4-6) Godly living (Rom. 12:1-2; Tit. 2:11-12) Love and loyalty (Rom. 12:10)

8. What Families Owe the Local Church Hard-working service (Rom. 12:11; 1 Cor. 12:12ff; Eph. 4:16; Neh. 3:12) Contribution (1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 8:5) Future leaders (1 Tim. 3:1-13; Tit. 1:5-9) Attendance (Heb. 10:24-25; Neh. 8:2-3)

9. What Families Owe the Local Church Spiritual growth (Heb. 5:12ff; 1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 1:5ff; 3:18)