“I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are living according to the truth.” 3 John 4 NET

Sometimes family hurts you. My wife and I were foster parents for 5 years and eventually had the joy of adopting two of the children we fostered (sibling girls). We have adopted twice internationally. Once, from the DR Congo back in 2012 and most recently from Colombia.

Obviously we didn’t adopt every foster care placement, and the orphan crisis across the world is dire. There are so many children, hurting and hopeless. So many families are broken. So many times, these vulnerable children are hurt by their families. Abuse and neglect come in many forms. Sin is always destructive, and rampant.

To be clear, I am not saying reunification isn’t right. I am not saying that “the best” option for our children was removing them from their birth country, culture and language, to thrust them into ours so we can sleep good at night for the good we have done.

Nope. None of that.

It is so sad that my adopted children suffered in the ways they did. That due to their parent or guardians circumstances they either didn’t want, were not provided, were ineffective, or didn’t utilize the social supports made available. It breaks my heart knowing a birth parent is unable or unwilling. Parents, should always love their children.

The parallel is true within our church families. Sometimes spiritual parents hurt their kids. Stories are all so common of pastoral abuse and neglect. So many have left the Church because they were hurt, forgotten or mislead. We need more spiritual parents that seek to help spiritual children live according to the truth.

In Johns Gospel we read how Jesus responded to some Jewish leaders who had been persecuting him (for healing a paralyzed man on the sabbath). Starting in Chapter 5, Verse 16, we read:

“16 Now because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began persecuting him. 17 So he told them, “My Father is working until now, and I too am working.” 18 For this reason the Jewish leaders were trying even harder to kill him because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was also calling God his own Father, thus making himself equal with God.

19 So Jesus answered them, “I tell you the solemn truth, the Son can do nothing on his own initiative, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he does, and will show him greater deeds than these, so that you will be amazed.” (NET)

The Son follows the Father. As a disciple of Christ, John learned how to live. He followed, watched, listened and eventually modeled Christ. John then repeated this process with those he had in his care, that he discipled, modeling a life according to the truth. The discipleship process continues unto the next generation, and so on.

John heard the testimony of his children as they flourished in the way of the Christian life and this gave him the greatest joy. He was concerned for their well being, their flourishing, their discipline, and ultimately their adherence and response to the truth that was rooted in Christ.

Do you know any wayward spiritual children?

To be clear, many need to be adopted into the true family of God. Some need restoration because they have experienced grave sin and pain within the spiritual family from their brothers, sisters or leaders. I am not saying we should seek to extract believers from other healthy churches, or from faithful leaders. I do pray we seek out the hurt and lost, and like Christ lead them in Love and Truth.

If you have been hurt by someone with in the church, or even in your own family, I pray that the Spirit of God would minister to you, and in His grace and mercy lead you to those who can care for, minister and lead you correctly, in a way that is according to Truth, modeling Christ.

If you have discipled, or lead any of our brothers and sisters over the years, I pray you would reach out to them today. Listen to their testimony, and encourage them in the faith. I pray it too will give you great joy.

Lastly, consider how you may equip those around you to be spiritual parents that imitate Christ and His love for the Church.

Peace be with you.

p.s. Check out www.discoveringdiscipleship.com, a free resource designed to help you become a healthy disciple maker.