The Family of God
This song is a new one compared to many of the psalms and hymns we have highlighted. The Family of God was written in 1970 by Bill and Gloria Gaither. I remember hearing it as a child shortly after it was first released. As a member of a previous church, it was in our hymnbook. Dr. Boland would occasionally have our church family sing it together.
I love the lyrics and appreciate the meaning behind it. Growing up in a pastor’s home, I loved our local church so deeply. We loved our previous church that sent us out to plant Sonrise, and now love our Sonrise family as a pastor here with others since its inception. This song gives me all the feels. The local New Testament church is the best.
You will enjoy the story behind the song below. In addition, today, Sonrise celebrates their annual Pastor Appreciation Day. This is a great and fitting song for that celebration.
The Family of God Lyrics
1 You will notice we say “brother and sister” ’round here,
it’s because we’re a family and these are so near;
when one has a heartache, we all share the tears,
and rejoice in each victory in this family so dear. (CHORUS)
Chorus:
I’m so glad I’m a part of the Family of God;
I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
for I’m part of the family, the Family of God.
2 From the door of an orphanage to the house of the King,
no longer an outcast, a new song I sing;
from rags unto riches, from the weak to the strong,
I’m not worthy to be here, but, praise God I belong! (CHORUS)
The Theology
What a joy to sing about the richness of the family of God. Paul describes it so well in this section from Ephesians.
Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands—remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated 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 once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. … So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
From aliens and outcasts to part of the family – members of the household of God!
No matter who the person is or where he or she is from, when we get saved, we join the family of God. God as our Father, Jesus as our brother and Savior, each other as our brothers and sisters – the family of God bursts with rich and beautiful relationships.
The Author
Bill and Gloria Gaither, authors
Well-known Gospel songwriters, Bill (1936 – ) and Gloria Gaither (1942 – ), were home for Easter and attending their home church in Anderson, Indiana. They heard of a young man in the community who had been severely burned when an explosion demolished the garage where he worked. Doctors did not expect him to live through the night.
A church prayer chain was activated, and church members prayed all night for the young man. When church members gathered to celebrate Easter the next day, they received word that the young man was recovering. The pastor reported he had just spoken to the doctor, who told him the young man had a chance to pull through. The church family rejoiced in the answer to prayer.
As Bill & Gloria went home after the Easter service that morning, they talked about what a wonderful thing it is to be part of a family of believers and to be able to pray together to our Father in Heaven. Before long, the Gaithers did what the Gaithers do… they wrote a song… this song.[1]
Enjoy This Media
Two occasions of the Gaithers singing this song.
Because of copyright, we do not have any sheet music to show this week.