I remember that Jeff introduced the study with a challenge for all of the students: Read the chapter to be studied during the week before the Sunday school class.  For chapter 1, we were instructed to try to think of words that begin with the letter “A” to help us remember what was discussed in that chapter.  I took the challenge.  I read the chapter several times during the week.  One of the things discussed in Acts 1 is how an apostle was appointed to replace Judas.  I came up with this phrase that contained words that all begin with the letter “A”: “Authority Above All Appoints Another Apostle.”  I remember beaming when I shared this phrase with the class on the following Sunday morning.  We had a lot of fun with that exercise!

Then we were ready to study Acts 2.  I don’t remember what “B” words I came up with that week, but I will never forget what my friend and fellow youth group member, Joe Don Williams, proposed as a phrase to remember some of the contents of the chapter: “Baffled Brothers Babbling Because Blaze Bestowed Blessings.”  Wow!  I was amazed and dumbfounded.  Joe Don was THE wordsmith!  What a creative way of recalling the reaction of the crowd on Pentecost Day when the Holy Spirit filled the Apostles and enabled them to speak in other tongues (languages) about Jesus!

Why do I tell you about the experiences in Bible class?  Because this happened almost 40 years ago, and I have never forgotten it.  Why not?  Was it the amazing abilities that my friends and I had to create memorable word phrases?  No, it was much more than that.  I remember it vividly because of the relationships that I valued and enjoyed during that time in my life.  Jeff Boyd was a great youth minister.  My closest friends – Joe Don, Jim Bob, John, Shanna, Valerie, Brian, Zac, and more – were members of that youth group.  What was the bond that united us together?  It was Jesus.  We were all members of the youth group, part of the family of God, the church.

When we are baptized into Christ, we are born (born again) into the Family of God, the church (Galatians 3:26-27).  That’s when the Lord adds us to the church (Acts 2:41, 47).  I want you to know that one of the greatest spiritual blessings that is found in Christ (Ephesians 1:3) is being a part of the Family of God – a family that loves you, supports you, helps you, and even corrects you when you need it.

I am no longer a “baffled brother.”  I am a brother that belongs to the Family of God.  I am so thankful for my Lord and for the church that He purchased with His blood (Acts 20:28).

I would love for YOU to be a member of God’s family.  More importantly, Jesus wants YOU to be a member of His family, and He died to make it possible.

Won’t YOU trust and obey Jesus and be added to His family today?