The Bible is full of family talk. The reason for this is basically because God himself is a family God. Soon I'm going to show you some scripture examples, but first we begin with God himself. God is three in one (there's a fancy word for that, the Trinity)....He is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Did I just say Father and Son?............yes, you heard it right. God is a family God because He is a Father and a Son. Once we begin to see that this is the case, then we notice it absolutely everywhere in the Bible. Its a bit like those 3D Magic Eye Books where there is a picture hidden on the page............people will stare at the page for hours trying to see the picture........at least I know I did. But once you have seen it..........well its very obvious then isn't it.

For example.......here is something that Jesus said "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him. By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me" (John 5:19-23,30).

Can you see what is happening here......God's nature is both that of Dad and that of a son.

The other interesting thing we now realise is that, if this is the nature of God..............then aren't God's followers also going to be like that too. If God himself is a family God, a father and son.......then wouldn't his followers also be family.....and be in the pattern of fathers and sons. Its obvious once you start to think about it, and the Bible definitely confirms it.

For example............here is something else Jesus said, "I pray... that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ...that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me" (John 17:20-23).

In that passage Jesus was praying that we (his followers) would be just like Him and the Heavenly Father............in other words we are supposed to be family, we are supposed to each be a spiritual son to someone and to learn and grow to eventually be a spiritual father to someone else. (this includes spiritual daughters and mothers too of course)

Does the Bible have any examples of these kind of spiritual relationships? ...... you bet it does.

Moses was a spiritual father to Joshua and Joshua his spiritual son.

Elijah was a spiritual father to Elisha and Elisha was his spiritual son.

Elisha was a spiritual father to over 100 men and they spiritual sons to him.

Samuel was a spiritual father to King David and David a spiritual son to him.

Jesus was a spiritual father to 12 men....the 12 disciples and they were his apprentices........spiritual sons.

The Apostle Paul was a spiritual father to many men including Timothy (1 Timothy 1:2) and Titus (Titus 1:4) and they were his "true sons" even though they were not physically related to him. They were his spiritual sons and He their caring mentor.

The Bible is full of these examples and also a lot of teaching on the subject.

Christianity is supposed to work through relationships like these..............but sadly it operates more like a company........the pastor is like the manager and the people are like the employees (except they often don't do anything). Instead God is wanting his people to be like a family......he wants believers to honour their leader and be a son or daughter to him or her. God also wants us to grow and mature in our love and relationships with each other so that we come to a point where we are able to be a caring spiritual father or mother to others in Christ.

In the Bible in 1 John 2:12-13 it says that "I am writing to you my dear children because your sins have been forgiven because of Jesus. I am writing to you who are mature [Fathers] because you know Christ, the one who is from the beginning."

Thats just one example of course.......but it shows that the Apostle John knew that in Christianity there were spiritual children and spiritual fathers.........but its not supposed to be figurative but real which means we really relate to each other just like in a family. A father should not only be there for his children but also be able to correct them when needed. A child should not only love but be able to be taught. These are things we are learning to do.

There's much more to be said on this subject and my Father, Apostle John Alley(who is also my spiritual father) has written a whole book on Apostles and their role in Christianity, with a special chapter on Fathers and Sons. You absolutely cannot afford to not read it. Read it here (rich text format)