In our journey of faith, one truth stands out clearly: God never intended for us to walk alone. From the very beginning, He designed us for connection, community, and shared life. Today, we explore what it means to truly invest in one another and build authentic family within the church.
What Does It Mean to Be an Authentic Family?
At Alsbury, our mission is simple but profound: "Loving Jesus by loving each other, drawing our neighbors into his family." This isn't just a statement we recite—it's something we must practice and live out daily.
The key question we must ask ourselves is: Which relationships and ministries am I currently investing in? Notice the word "investing"—not attending, not knowing about, not sitting near on Sunday mornings, but actively investing our time, energy, and hearts.
How Does God Form His People?
Through Relationships, Not Isolation
From Genesis to Acts, Scripture shows us that God forms His people through relationships. In Genesis 2:18, God declares, "It is not good that the man should be alone." This isn't just about marriage—it's about our fundamental design for connection and belonging.
In Acts 2:42, we see the early church "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." The word "devoted" is crucial here—devotion requires investment.
Here's a truth we all need to hear: You cannot experience the fullness of life in Christ while remaining relationally disconnected from people. Authentic family doesn't happen accidentally; it happens intentionally.
What Does Investment Require?
Trust and Honor
Romans 12 instructs us to "love one another with mutual affection" and "outdo one another in showing honor." This only works when trust is present. Trust isn't built through perfection but through consistency.
Investment in relationships requires:
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Showing up when it's weird, ugly, messy, and hard
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Listening without fixing (sometimes people need to be heard, not solved)
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Caring without conditions (not based on what we get in return)
Authentic family isn't about impressing each other—it's about honoring one another. To honor someone is to say, "You matter to me." Your life matters, your story matters, your presence matters here.
Genuine Care and Authentic Listening
Galatians 6:2 tells us to "bear one another's burdens." But here's the thing: you cannot carry a burden you're not aware of. This requires authentic listening—one of the most spiritual disciplines we can practice and one of the most neglected.
James reminds us to be "quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger." Authentic listening says:
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I'm not rushing you
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I'm not minimizing your struggle
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I'm not waiting for my turn to talk
When people feel heard, they feel safe. When they feel safe, they open up. This is how faith grows—not just through sermons, but through shared life.
How Should We View Ministry?
Ministry as Relational Investment
Too often, the word "ministry" becomes synonymous with "program." But ministry should be relational investment. It's where gifts meet needs, where faith becomes action, where love becomes visible.
When we ask which relationships and ministries we're investing in, we're really asking:
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Who am I walking with?
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Where am I serving in a way that stretches me?
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Who knows my real story, and whose story do I know?
Authentic family means no one walks alone, no one struggles unseen, and no one serves unseen. We don't wait until we feel ready to engage—we grow by engaging.
What Are Our Circles of Influence?
Consider the concentric circles of your life:
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Self: Your personal relationship with God
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Home: Those who live with you
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Primary Group: Life group, close friends, those you share highs and lows with
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Church Family: The broader Alsbury community
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Neighborhood: Coworkers, neighbors, community connections
As you invest in the groups inward and outward, all your spheres of influence become healthier. Investment flows both ways—as you pour into others, they pour back into you.
Life Application
This week, take these three practical steps toward building authentic family:
1. Name one relationship to intentionally invest in. Identify one person and reach out with intentionality. Ask "How are you really doing?" instead of just "How are you?" Put this conversation on your calendar—investment becomes real when it's scheduled.
2. Practice authentic listening without rushing. Choose one conversation this week where your goal is simply to listen well. Be present, put the phone down, resist the urge to interrupt or solve. Let listening itself be your ministry.
3. Take one step toward serving in community. If you're already serving, lean into it with renewed purpose. If you're not serving, say yes to helping somewhere. Don't wait until you feel ready—growth happens through participation.
Ask yourself these questions:
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Who has God placed on my heart to invest in more deeply?
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Where am I holding back from vulnerability or connection?
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How can I use my gifts to serve others this week?
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What would it look like for me to truly listen without trying to fix?
Authentic family isn't built in a moment—it's built one intentional step at a time. As we love Jesus by loving each other, we become the kind of church that naturally draws our neighbors into His family. Don't try to change everything at once. Just take one faithful step this week toward deeper investment in the relationships God has placed in your life.