What Do Families Do?

In the New Testament we read the church pictured as a family. This is an extremely important metaphor. In response to this, we should ask what families do. So, when they are functioning properly, what do families do?

Families share their lives with each other.

Families spend a lot of time together.

Families talk, and talk, and talk.

Families support one another.

Families encourage one another.

Families care for each others' needs.

Families challenge one another.

Families practice discipline for the good of the individual and family as a whole.

Families teach one another.

Families exhort one another.

Families share their struggles with one another.

Families relax together.

Families eat together (a lot).

Families give to one another.

Families sacrifice for one another.

Families stick together during the hard times.

Families serve each other.

Families work together to help other people not in the family.

This is obviously not a comprehensive list. However, it does provide a picture of how families share life together. Since this is the case, it seems that the church should look like this as well.

What can we do as individuals to encourage the above? That's probably a good question for all of us to ponder.