This passage in some ways encourages a church to function like a family.

1. Is your family “close” or more emotionally distant?
How do you normally greet family members you have not seen for a while—verbal greeting, hand shake, huge, kiss?
2. Do you have non-relative that, because of connection to other family members (i.e. friends of parents), seem like part of the family?  Do you have non-relative that you call or called, “aunt” and “uncle” though they were not?
3. Who are the hardest people for you to talk to?
4. Who are the hardest people for you to help?
5. On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate your generosity?  Quick to hold on to what is yours or quick to give what you have away?
6. Notice the use of the word “honor” in 5:3, 17 and 6:1.  What all do you think might be included in this concept?
7. Why does Paul challenge biological families to take primary responsibility for those in need rather than the church take primary responsibility?
8. Why do you think Paul put some many specifics in place related to caring for widows?
9. What does this passage teach us about the nature of the church?
10. How can you personally carry of the principles listed?