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Familia: a 4-Week Teaching Series for Youth Ministry TOPIC: Family SCRIPTURE: the Epistles DECORATING THEME: Languages AGE GROUP: Students "Family" is a concept understood all over the world, in every country, culture, and language, but no two families are the same. We all have our unique family structures, quirks, traditions, values, problems, and dysfunctions. It's not always easy to love our families (or even like them sometimes), but the Bible is full of guidance on how to love each other well - we just have to be willing to apply that at home. In this 4-week series, we'll take a look at some of the lessons learned by Jesus-followers in the early days of the church, because learning how to be part of God's family might help us learn how to be part of our own families. In God's family, we support each other, pray for each other, reconcile with each other, and love each other. BIG IDEAS & BIBLE STORIES In God's family, we support each other. (Doing Good To All: Galatians 5:13-14,22-23, 6:1-3,9-10; Matthew 11:28-30) In God's family, we pray for each other. (Thanksgiving and Prayer: Colossians 1:1-14; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Philippians 4:6) In God's family, we reconcile with each other. (Reconciled by Christ: Ephesians 4:31-5:2; Colossians 1:21-22; Hebrews 12:14) In God's family, we love each other. (On Love and Hatred: 1 John 3:16-18, 4:7-12; John 15:9-17; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7) WEEKLY CURRICULUM SUMMARIES: This week, we'll see what Paul advised the church of Galatia to do when they were busy arguing and finding fault with each other. Trying to live in peace with people who leave dirty dishes in the sink or hog the bathroom isn't easy - especially when they're your family. This week, we'll see what Paul advised the church to do when they were busy fault-finding with each other. Paul knew real families - and church families - can be messy, but in God's family we support each other. This week, we'll see what Paul challenged the Colossians and Thessalonians to pray for on each other's behalf. Sometimes, the best way to help someone isn't with advice or fixing a problem, it's with prayer. This week, Paul encourages the early Church to lift each other up in prayer, not just for help, but for strength, growth, and joy. Prayer isn't a last resort - it's one of the most powerful ways we love, because in God's family we pray for each other. This week, we'll see how Jesus' work to reconcile with us should lead us to working towards reconciliation with others. Even in close families, things can break - trust, connection, patience. This week, we'll see how Jesus' work to make things right between us and God is the same kind of work we're invited to do with each other. When we take steps toward restoration and healing, we show each other what God's love looks like, because in God's family we reconcile with each other. This week, we'll see how and why the apostle John challenged the early followers of Jesus to love each other well. Love isn't just a feeling - it shows up in how we speak, serve, and stick together, even when it's hard. This week, we'll see the apostle John urge the Church to move beyond words and truly live out love in real, everyday ways. He knew love was the clearest sign of belonging to God's family, because in God's family we love each other. MEMORY VERSE: "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." - Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

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