Rev. Philip Chu attended a Christian primary school. From young he decided to accept Jesus as his personal saviour. Every day he attended morning meeting, song hyms, listen to the Bible stories shared by the principal and teachers… When he went to secondary school he joined fellowship, Sunday service and all types of conferences. He thought that church life was like this, must attend service of the church at the weekends.
Until he joined family meeting several years ago through DMM, he discovered Jesus’ model: he share the gospel wherever he went, heal and deliver from the devil, establish disciples and share the message of kingdom. Through reflection and renewal of the heart, he discovered that church life does not limit by time and place.
Jesus has said, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”(Matthew 18:20) Most important is to have Jesus in our midst, to seek and understand God’s word, listen to his command and do his will and live out the calling and mission that he gave us!
Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”(John 14:21)
As Rev. Chu experienced, family is a place that allows Jesus enter, a place that is good to meet!
1. Innovative
Usually churches service has different fixed form/styles, not easily satisfy different members’ need. Family meeting is more flexible, form has no right or wrong. Form can be renewed and changed; what is important is to be able to preach God’s word. Rev. Chu has participated in some family meetings. On the surface parents and children are chatting, but in fact they are seriously discussing the scriptures.
2. High participation
A family usually is simple, not too many people, it is easy to arrange for roles of serving. Father can share the message, mother can prepare food, children can use songs or instrument to worship, share testimony, lead games. Anybody can lead prayers.
3. Have questions and answers
Many times on Sunday we listened to pastor’s preaching on the pulpit. Maybe you are like Rev. Chu, sometimes there is no chance to ask questions or share feedback. In a family meeting there is more room for interaction. You can discuss everyone’s query. Through the leading of the Holy Spirit, the truth is more clear!
4. More lively
When a family joins a church service, usually they are divided into different zones. Parents join the adult worship, children join children or youth worship. Parents and children lack of communication. So family meeting can enhance the feelings of two generations. There is more chance to understand each other; use love of God to sympathize with each other's weakness, inspire each other's love, let the Biblical truth practice in daily life.
5. Not prohibit by law
In today's China, there is a considerable degree of control over religious activities, especially for organizations or groups that have more people on a larger scale. But gathering in the name of the Lord Jesus in the family is hard to limit!
And tell them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town.” (Mark 6:10)
I pray that more families will be open in the future, willing to let the Lord Jesus really sit for the king in their family, become a place where family and friends can meet, and ask the Lord to rise up with more shepherds who can shepherd in the family, so that every corner of the city with a family will raise voice of praise; raise good shepherd that preach God’s word and a family relationship that builds love and watch for each other.
