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Storge | Four Loves | Week 2
CJ Ward
Storge Love
In the second week of New Life Church’s compelling teaching series Four Loves, Pastor CJ Ward guided the congregation through a powerful exploration of Storge love—the often-overlooked, humble, and tender affection rooted in family and familiarity. While it may be the least mentioned in Scripture by name, Storge is woven into the very fabric of biblical relationships and the heart of God’s design for community.
This message invited listeners to recognize, celebrate, and live out the steady love that sustains homes, friendships, and the church itself.
What Is Storge?
he Greek language used in the New Testament contains multiple distinct words for “love,” each revealing a unique aspect of human and divine relationships: Agape (unconditional love), Phileo (friendship love), Eros (romantic love), and Storge (familial love). While Agape may be the most theologically profound, Storge is perhaps the most instinctive and foundational.
Pastor CJ Ward described Storge as the “loving affection” most often experienced between parents and children, siblings, and close companions who’ve done life together for years. It’s a quiet, enduring love—not flashy or loud—but dependable, resilient, and deeply human.
“Storge is the kind of love that doesn’t need to be invited in, it’s just there.”
Storge in Scripture
While the specific Greek word Storge only appears as a compound (philostorgos) in Romans 12:10, the Bible is filled with its presence:
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
In this passage, the word “devoted” is translated from philostorgos, a combination of phileo and storge, encouraging believers to develop warm, familial bonds within the body of Christ. This is more than surface-level connection—it’s deep affection that reflects God’s heart for His people.
Another powerful reflection of Storge is found in 1 John 3:1:
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”
This lavish, fatherly love is the heartbeat of Storge—a natural, unforced affection that God has for His children. It’s the kind of love that sees us as family and welcomes us into God’s household, not because we earned it, but because He delights in us.
Biblical Families: Broken and Beloved
The Bible is honest about family dysfunction. Pastor CJ humorously pointed out how hard it is to find a “healthy” family in Scripture—“like trying to get a clear picture of Bigfoot.”
Consider:
Cain and Abel (Genesis 4) — a brother kills a brother out of jealousy.
Abraham and Sarah — their family is fractured by deception, favoritism, and broken trust (Genesis 16, 21).
Jacob’s sons — they sell their brother Joseph into slavery (Genesis 37).
And yet, amid these broken families, moments of Storge shine through. When Joseph forgives his brothers in Genesis 45, he embraces them with tears—a profound display of familial affection despite betrayal. In Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi (Ruth 1:16-17), and in the Prodigal Son’s father running to embrace him (Luke 15:20), we see Storge redeeming relationships.
Pastor CJ emphasized that even in the mess, God works through Storge to bring restoration, healing, and hope.
Why Storge Matters
In today’s fast-paced, individualistic world, Storge is often missing. People leave jobs, cities, and even families with minimal commitment. But Storge challenges us to stay. It invites us to love with patience and perseverance—to see others not as transactional connections but as family.
Here are three defining traits of Storge that Pastor CJ encouraged the congregation to pursue:
1. It’s Unconditional and Unbreakable
Unlike romantic or friendship love, which can sometimes be optional or seasonal, Storge love sticks. It’s the mother waking up at 2 AM to soothe her crying baby. It’s the brother who defends his sister even when they argued the night before. It’s the church member who keeps showing up—loving others even when it’s inconvenient.
2. It’s Rooted in Shared Life
Storge is built through proximity, time, and shared experience. It often grows unnoticed—between roommates who become chosen family, or between church members who’ve served together for years.
Pastor CJ reminded the congregation: “It’s not about grand gestures. It’s about shared meals, late-night talks, hospital visits, and babysitting your friend’s kids just because you love them.”
3. It Reflects God’s Heart
More than anything, Storge love mirrors the consistent, fatherly love of God. In Psalm 103:13, we read:
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.”
God’s compassion is the model for Storge—faithful, patient, and rich in mercy.
The Church as a Family
One of the most radical ideas in the New Testament is that the Church is not just a gathering of believers—it’s a family. Paul refers to fellow Christians as “brothers and sisters” dozens of times. Jesus even redefined family when He said:
“Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
Pastor CJ encouraged the church to embrace this reality: Storge love isn’t limited to bloodlines. In Christ, we are adopted into a new family—God’s family—and called to love one another with the affection of true siblings.
Living Storge in Everyday Life
So how can the church embody Storge love today? Pastor CJ offered practical examples that reflect God’s relational design:
Spiritual parenting — Older believers intentionally discipling and caring for younger believers.
Shared responsibility — Taking ownership of each other’s burdens, not just offering platitudes but showing up when it matters most.
Consistency over time — Prioritizing presence, even when the excitement wears off.
Mutual respect — Honoring others’ stories, backgrounds, and needs, as Paul instructs in Romans 12:10.
Storge in the Face of Imperfection
The reality is, Storge love is often tested. Family relationships can disappoint us. Church communities can let us down. But that doesn’t mean we give up. Instead, we lean into God’s example.
In Galatians 6:2, Paul writes:
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Burden-bearing is messy. It requires patience, vulnerability, and grace. But it is the fulfillment of Christ’s law—love in action, sustained by Storge.
God’s Invitation into His Family
At the heart of this message, Pastor CJ reminded the congregation that Storge is not just something we give—it’s something we receive. God is a Father who invites us into His family, not based on merit but through mercy.
“We are not God's employees. We are God's kids.”
In Jesus, the walls come down. Strangers become brothers. Sinners become sons. The lonely are placed in families (Psalm 68:6). And the love we experience with each other becomes a tangible expression of the love we’ve received from the Father.
Final Thoughts
The message on Storge love wasn’t just about feeling affection—it was a call to practice commitment, embrace community, and build lasting relationships grounded in Christ. In a world that often tells people to walk away when things get hard, the gospel calls believers to stay, serve, and love like family.
As part of the Four Loves series, this message deepened the church’s understanding of how God’s love operates in and through every season of life—not just in spiritual mountaintops, but in diapers, dishes, disagreements, and decades of walking together.
Let Storge flourish. Let the church become a home. And may every heart hear the Father say:
“You’re mine. You belong. Welcome home.”
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