People of Purpose
Teachers
Lesson Summary
The class began with a prayer, remembering the Fox family after the sudden passing of Brian Fox, and asking God for comfort and wise words for the grieving. The teacher then shared his own story of adoption, emphasizing that family is defined by love and commitment rather than biology. Using familiar cultural references like the Brady Bunch and a real‑life Utah blended family of 11 children, he illustrated how different backgrounds can be woven together into a single, thriving household. The heart of the lesson was a reading of Ephesians 2:11‑22, which explains how Christ dismantles the dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles, making them one new humanity and establishing peace. The teacher applied this passage to the church, describing the congregation as a "blended family of God" that requires extra effort, patience, and the work of the Holy Spirit to achieve unity. He encouraged believers to view their differences as opportunities for growth, urging them to build together on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone, thereby becoming a dwelling place for God. The session concluded with a call to practical application: to seek the Spirit’s guidance in blending families, both biological and spiritual, and to live out the purpose God has given each member of the Linder Road community.
Key Scriptures
Therefore, remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by the so-called circumcision, which is performed in the flesh by human hands. Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus, you who formerly were far off, have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who made both groups into one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in his flesh the enmity, which is the law of commandments, contained in ordinance so that in himself he might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death an enmity. And he came and preached in peace to you, who were far away, and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have our access to one spirit, to the Father. So then, you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being filtered together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.