What Does “The Family Place” Really Mean?
Why do we call Trinity The Family Place? It’s not just a phrase. It’s who we are because of what Christ has done.
In Acts 2:37–47, we see the blueprint for the church Jesus began to build. The Spirit brought conviction, faith, and unity. Those first believers devoted themselves to teaching, prayer, fellowship, and meals. They didn’t just attend—they belonged.
Executive Pastor Ryan James teaches how those same rhythms still shape our church today:
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Finding your place through Jesus
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Learning the truth together
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Being shaped to look more like Him
If you’ve ever felt disconnected from church life, this passage reminds us that belonging to Jesus means belonging to His people. The same Spirit who united the early church is still at work, drawing us together as one family in Christ.
Key Takeaways
- Jesus gives us a family to belong (Acts 2:37-41).
- Jesus gives us a family to believe (Acts 2:42).
- Jesus gives us a family to become (Acts 2:43-47).
Further Study
- Take a minute to read Acts 2:37. What was the crowd’s response to Peter’s message? Look closely at the words used. What do they suggest about how deeply the message affected them? As you read, consider: What kinds of truths tend to cut us to the heart? How does this passage help you recognize the weight of the Gospel?
- According to Jesus in John 16:8, what specific work will the Holy Spirit do in the world? How might this clarify what was happening at Pentecost in Acts 2? Where have you seen the Spirit use God’s Word to expose sin or point you to Christ more clearly?
- Look at 2 Corinthians 7:10. What is the difference between godly sorrow and worldly sorrow? What outcomes does each produce, according to Paul? How might this distinction shape the way you think about conviction and repentance in your own life?
- How do Peter’s words in Acts 2:38 echo the message of Jesus in Mark 1:15? What action is being called for in both? If repentance and faith are not just one-time decisions but daily realities, what might that look like practically in your life?
- In Romans 6:3–4, how does Paul explain the meaning and symbolism of baptism? What does it say about our union with Christ? Does your current way of living reflect the new life described here? In what areas might God be calling you to live more in line with that identity?
- What does 1 Corinthians 12:13 teach about what it means to belong to the body of Christ? How is that connected to the work of the Spirit? What does belonging to the body look like in your current season? Are there ways you’re leaning in (or maybe holding back)?
- Read Acts 2:42 and consider: what were the early believers devoted to? How does that word “devoted” contrast with being casual or sporadic? How does your weekly rhythm reflect (or maybe even fall short of) the kind of devotion shown here?
- What imagery does Christ use in John 15 to describe life in Him? How does Paul describe a community saturated with the Word in Colossians 3? How would you describe your current connection to Christ and His Word? Strong and steady? Occasional? Drifting?
- What do Romans 12:9–13 and Hebrews 10:24–25 tell us about the character of Christian love and the call to community? What actions are believers instructed to take? What kind of community patterns shape your life right now? Where might the Spirit be prompting deeper presence or intentional love?
The Gospel
If you have questions about what it means to be a Christian, we would love to talk with you about it.
Reach outThe Gospel and the Family of God
Pastor Ryan reminds us that the Gospel is the heart of what makes the church a family. That’s why we cannot be a place for people who have cleaned up their lives to come to church.” This is a place where we come professing our need for Christ.
Every person, no matter their story, is separated from God by sin. It’s been that way since Adam and Eve. But God sent His Son, fully God and fully man, to live the life we couldn’t and die the death we deserved. Jesus lived the life you and I could not live, fulfilled the law of God perfectly, and died the death that we deserved, one that He did not deserve at all.
Through His death and resurrection, Christ offers an exchange: our sin for His righteousness. This gift is free. We don’t earn it. We receive it by faith.
Acts 2:38 shows the right response: “Repent and be baptized.” Repentance isn’t just feeling bad, it’s turning around. It’s a change of mind and direction that leads us to trust Christ completely.
Those who trust in Him are not only saved from sin, but saved into a family. When Christ saves us from our sin, when He justifies us, He makes us a family.
The Gospel doesn’t stop at conversion. It shapes how we live, love, and walk together. True salvation leads to true community. We’re not just rescued from something, we’re rescued into something: the family of God.
This isn’t about fixing your life first or trying to meet some standard. It’s about admitting your need, trusting Christ’s finished work, and stepping into a community where grace is lived out together.
As Pastor Ryan reminds us, church membership isn’t about attendance. It’s about belonging. It’s about becoming who God calls us to be as a family that believes, belongs, and becomes through Christ.