Families of Promise Part 02
Sermon Summary
This message casts vision for the new season at Antioch, centered on God's heart for His family. The biblical theme of family runs from Genesis through Revelation. The church is called to be a healthy, grace-filled family that brings other orphans in, learning to live under God the Father's rule and reign together. The promise of the Holy Spirit is not just for us individually, but for our children, our households, our neighborhoods, and those far off. The vision culminates in Revelation's picture of every tribe, tongue, people, and nation standing together before God's throne. What awaits us in eternity, God wants to bring to earth now through strengthened, multiplying families that reveal His glory.
Key Scriptures
2 Peter 1:12-13 (NASB1995) "Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder."
John 14:18 (NASB1995) "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."
Acts 2:38-39 (NASB1995) "Peter said to them, 'Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.'"
Revelation 7:9-10 (NASB1995) "After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, 'Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.'"
Ephesians 3:14-21 (NASB1995) "For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."
Instructions for Groups
Choose a few of these questions from the various categories to go deeper in the sermon and put the truths of Scripture into practice. You don't need to answer every question. Select the ones that will best help your group engage with God's Word and apply it to your lives.
Discussion Questions
Scripture Study & Deeper Understanding
1. In 2 Peter 1:12-13, what is Peter's stated purpose for writing to believers who "already know" and "have been established in the truth"? What does this teach us about the importance of being reminded of foundational truths?
2. Looking at Acts 2:38-39, who specifically does Peter say "the promise" of the Holy Spirit is for? How does the scope of this promise (you, your children, all who are far off) connect to God's covenant faithfulness throughout Scripture?
3. In John 14:18, Jesus makes a promise using the word "orphans." What would this language have communicated to Jesus' original disciples about their relationship with Him? How does this connect to the broader biblical theme of God as Father?
Encouragement, Challenge & Personal Testimony
4. The message emphasized that "until the foundation is laid, there is no house you can trust in." What does this principle reveal about why God calls us back to basics like prayer, fasting, Bible reading, and repentance before building something new in our lives?
5. The sermon described how we were all "orphans until we were born again" and adopted into God's family. How does this truth about our identity transform the way we view ourselves, our need for community, and our responsibility to welcome others into God's family?
6. The message painted a vision of "portals" or sacred spaces where we cultivate God's grace in our homes, workplaces, and church. What encourages you about the idea that you can create space for God's presence wherever you are? What challenges you about keeping these spaces free from sin and mixture?
Putting it into Practice
7. Based on this message, what specific foundational practice (prayer, fasting, Bible reading, repentance, or another spiritual discipline) is the Holy Spirit highlighting for you to strengthen or re-establish in this season? What will it look like practically to build this foundation in your daily life?
8. The sermon called us to "lean in and make yourself vulnerable to the family" rather than pulling back in isolation. What is one concrete step you can take this week to move toward deeper connection within your spiritual family, whether in this life group, the church, or your household?
Prayer
9. Listening to the Holy Spirit: We're going to take focused time to listen to the Holy Spirit and what He wants to speak to us personally based on our time in Scripture and discussion tonight. Let's sit in silence for 60 seconds and ask the Spirit to speak to each one of us.
[After the minute of silence] What do you sense the Holy Spirit highlighting or speaking to you as we prayed?
10. Prayer Requests from Tonight's Study: What prayer requests come up for you based on our Scripture study and discussion tonight? How can we pray for you as you seek to apply what God has shown you?