1. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine & fellowship, in the breaking of bread, & in prayers. Acts 2:42

2. The Church – A Contrast Popular view of the church: institution or an organization. Terms used that correspond to the world of business or academia: Sunday school, VBS, lectureship, associate minister, Director of Christian Education, Director Of Music.

3. “In the beginning the church was a fellowship of men and women centering on the living Christ. Then the church moved to Greece where it became a philosophy. Then it moved to Rome where it became an institution. Next, it moved to Europe, where it became a culture. And, finally, it moved to America where it became an enterprise.” (Dick Halverson, chaplain of U.S. Senate, Quoted in E. Glenn Wagner, Ph.D, The Awesome Power of Shared Beliefs, Dallas: World Publishing, 1995)

4. The Church – A Contrast God’s design for the church: an intimate household. Matt 12:46-49 – “My brother & sister & mother” John 2:16 – “My Father’s House” Heb 3:4-6 – “Christ, a Son over His own house” Mark 10:28-30 – “Houses & brothers & sisters & mothers & children & lands”

5. An Intimate Godly Family… 1. Concern about humility (Matt 18:1-4) 2. Concern about personal influence (18:5-7) 3. Concern about personal spiritual health (18:8-9) 4. Concern about unity (18:10-14)

6. An Intimate Godly Family… 5. Concern about discipline (18:15-17) 6. Concern about divine authority (18:18-20) 7. Concern about forgiving (18:21-22; 25-35) 8. Concern about serving (20:25-28)

7. Building Family Closeness Make assembly times a top priority  The “mealtimes” of the church (Heb 10:24-25) Make your spiritual family the dearest circle of friends  Honor, prefer one another (Rom 12:10; 1 Pet 4:9) Seek ways to serve  Develop your talent (Eph 4:16; 1 Pet 4:10-11)

8. What am “I” doing to make this local church a healthy intimate household?