Browse Bible Study Resources

The Concept of the Spiritual Family

Text: Mark 3:31-35; Matthew 12:46-50; Luke 8:19-21
24 November 2013

THE CONCEPT OF A SPIRITUAL FAMILY

1. The biological family of Jesus

a) They were mentioned earlier          (Mark 3:20-21)
b) They had deemed Jesus out of His mind

2. More specific description of Jesus’ family

a) Brothers          Mark 3:31a
b) Mother          Mark 3:31b
c) There is no mention of Joseph
d) There is no mention of His sisters

THE CLAMOURING OF HIS FAMILY

1. They stood outside          Mark 3:31a

2. They were calling Him          Mark 3:31b

THE MULTITIDE WHO WERE SITTING AROUND HIM

1. They informed Him that His mother and brothers were calling Him          Mark 3:32

2. They expected Jesus to attend to them immediately

THE RESPONSE OF JESUS

1. Who is My mother?          Mark 3:33a

2. Who are My brothers?          Mark 3:33b

3. He looked at the circle of people sitting around Him and declared

a) Here are My mother and brothers          Mark 3:34b
b) Whoever does the will of God          Mark 3:35
i) Mother
ii) Brother
iii) Sister

THEOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

1. Concept of the Family of God

2. This was practised and taught by the Apostles           (Cf. 1 Timothy 5:1-2; 1 John 2)

POEMS CT

MY BROTHER, MY SISTER, MY MOTHER

The family of Jesus did not fully comprehend His life and ministry,
They did not appreciate His commitment to help people in misery.
Some of them thought that His zeal showed He was out of His mind,
They wanted to lay hold of Him, though it might appear unkind.

His brothers and His mother came to seek Him out one day,
They did not come to listen; they wanted Him home without delay.
They were going to assert an authority they did not possess,
They just wanted Jesus to stop His ministry and come home without protest.

Jesus looked at the multitude who sat in a circle at His feet,
He could not give up His ministry just to go home for a bite to eat.
He looked around the people who surrounded Him,
His eyes were full of love and they had a special gleam.

Who is My brother, my sister and my mother too?
Family is made up of those who do God’s will with a heart that’s true.
What an insight Jesus gave to all who heard Him that precious day,
He had established the concept of a spiritual family that was meant to stay.

Inspiration: Mark 3:35