The Family of God

Pastor David Jones

Sunday Mornings Message – 1st February 2026Citywest Church YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@citywestchurchNewPlymouth/streams

Part one: Growing as the family of God - https://www.citywestchurch.org.nz/post/growing-as-gods-family

Part Two: The family of God

Objective: To encourage believers to faithfully play their part in God’s family by continuing to do good without growing weary. To remind the group that God promises a harvest in His time as we sow love, service, and faithfulness together.

Leader: Please choose what best suits your group and fits the time well. You do not need to discuss every question. Choose two or three areas to discuss. Have fun, Jesus people!

Introduction

Read: Galatians 6:9–10

Thought:

• Growth takes time and depends on what is planted

• Harvests come in different seasons and sizes

• We often want quick results, but God values the process as much as the progress

Keys to Doing Good in God’s Family

1. Do Not Grow Weary

Read: Galatians 6:9“Let us not become weary in doing good…”

Background: The Galatian church was facing pressure from both within and outside the church. There were false teachers, division, fatigue, and discouragement. The Galatians were quickly turning away from the gospel of grace to a different, false “gospel”. They had begun to rely on their own strength instead of the finished work of the cross.

Thought: Doing good can feel draining when results aren’t visible.

Question:

Have you ever felt like giving up on doing good? What made it hard?

Key truth: Paul doesn’t tell them when the harvest will come — only not to stop doing good. The season of sowing is ours; the timing of the harvest belongs to God.

2. We Have a Promise

Read: Galatians 6:9“…for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Illustration: A farmer sows across the whole field. He doesn’t leave corners untouched as he sows. The farmer knows that achieving the maximum harvest requires good seed sowing, and what is sown determines what is harvested.

Thought: This is a spiritual principle the early church understood well, as many of them were horticultural farmers in society.

Question: What kind of “good” do you feel God is calling you to keep sowing right now?

Important clarification:

This is not about doing good works to earn salvation or to keep your salvation, as salvation is a gift received when you accept Jesus. It is about fruit, impact, and reward that flow from a life rooted in grace and service to the Father and His family — your spiritual family.

3. Now Is the Time to Do Good

Read: Galatians 6:10“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people…”

Thought: Paul encourages action when the opportunity arises, not when conditions are perfect. We don’t wait until everything is sorted — we step out now.

Question: What opportunities to do good are right in front of us that we might overlook?

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2 — “Be prepared in season and out of season.”

Application (Outward Focus): As God’s family, we stay ready:

• Practical love

• Gospel-centered action

• Serving our city and community

Acts of love build trust, respect, and open hearts to the gospel. This helps the family of God gain favor with their community.

4. The Family of Believers

Read: Galatians 6:10“…especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

(“Do good to all… especially… family of faith”)

Thought: Doing good starts with everyone, but there is a special responsibility towards God’s family. There is a high priority placed on caring for fellow Christians.

Old saying: Charity starts at home.

“Especially” is also translated “above all” Example: “Above all to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Conclusion

Question: What does it look like to care well for one another in church life?

Leader: Take your time here. Allow people to share — this is important.

Application: What could we do as a group to do good?

Other Scriptures:

Ephesians 2:19 — We are members of God’s household.

1 John 4:7–8 — Love comes from God.

1 John 4:11 — Because God loved us, we love one another.

Final thought: When God’s family loves well, the world notices. If we keep sowing good seed, God promises a harvest — in His time and His way.

Close in prayer