In what ways can your family serve as the household of Stephanas did? The Verse in Focus “You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints.” (1 Corinthians 16:15) Seeing the Example • First converts, yet immediately active • “Devoted” – continuous, deliberate, whole-hearted • Service “of the saints” – aimed at blessing fellow believers Key Qualities to Imitate 1. Early zeal that never cooled (Galatians 5:7) 2. Family-wide participation (Acts 10:2) 3. Consistent hospitality (Romans 12:13) 4. Humble, hands-on ministry (Matthew 20:26-28) 5. Reliability so leadership can count on you (1 Corinthians 16:17-18) Practical Ways Your Family Can Serve • Open your home for Bible studies, youth gatherings, or meal fellowship • Make yourselves the “first responders” for needs in your congregation—meals, rides, childcare • Set aside a regular family project: cleaning the church building, yard work for widows, preparing outreach mailings • Adopt missionaries—write, pray, send care packages (Philippians 4:15-16) • Encourage leaders: handwritten notes, gift cards, sincere words of refreshment (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13) • Train children early: involve them in setting the table for guests, choosing groceries for a food pantry, or learning instruments for worship (Proverbs 22:6) • Commit to corporate prayer meetings as a household (Acts 1:14) • Give generously and systematically; let every paycheck reflect devotion to the saints (2 Corinthians 9:7) Motivation from Other Passages • Joshua 24:15 – “But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” • Hebrews 6:10 – “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have served the saints and continue to serve them.” • 1 Peter 4:10 – “Each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” • Acts 16:34 – Household joy follows household faithfulness. Finishing Thoughts When a family moves in step with the Spirit, ordinary routines—meals, chores, earnings, conversations—become channels of grace. The household of Stephanas did not wait for perfect conditions; they simply saw needs and filled them. Do the same, and Scripture assures that your labor “in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). |
    |