Mothers, children and faith

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Mothers, children and faith

• What defines and describes us?

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Two questions

• What is a mother?
• What makes a good mother?

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Words we associate with parents and children(you
tell me)
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How do we define ourselves as children?

• By the fact that we are born?
• By the things that our parents do?
• Or by who we are in our family relationships?

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Two more questions

• What is a Christian?
• What makes a good Christian?

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How do we define ourselves as Christians?

• On the basis of what we believe?
• On the basis of a choice to become a Christian x
  number of years ago?
• Or because of who we are in the family of God?

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Heres a proposition

• We derive our identity as Christians more from
  our relationship with God and our brothers and
  sisters, than we do from what we believe or what
  we do as Christians
• John 112-13
• 1 John 31
• Ephesians 314-15
• Galatians 41-5
• Romans 815-17

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Some key verses

• John 112 Yet to all who received him, to those
  who believed in his name, he gave the right to
  become children of God-- 13 children born not of
  natural descent, nor of human decision or a
  husband's will, but born of God.
• 1 John 31 How great is the love the Father has
  lavished on us, that we should be called children
  of God! And that is what we are! 10 This is how
  we know who the children of God are and who the
  children of the devil are Anyone who does not do
  what is right is not a child of God nor is
  anyone who does not love his brother.
• Ephesians 314 For this reason I kneel before the
  Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven
  and on earth derives its name.
• Galatians 44 But when the time had fully come,
  God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under
  law, 5 to redeem those under law, that we might
  receive the full rights of sons.
• Romans 8 15 For you did not receive a spirit
  that makes you a slave again to fear, but you
  received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we
  cry, "Abba, Father." 16 The Spirit himself
  testifies with our spirit that we are God's
  children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are
  heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if
  indeed we share in his sufferings in order that
  we may also share in his glory.

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God
Inheritance
Grace, mercy, forgiveness
Relationship with each other and with God
Promise of eternal life
Belief, faith, doctrine
Belief, repentance
Spirit working in us
Love, Acceptance
Actions
Church