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THIS WEEK:
From the Sermon: Acts 17:1-15
Preacher: Pastor Jon Needham
Scripture: Acts 17:1-15
MAIN POINTS: 1)Jesus’ Suffering , 2) Jesus’ Kingship, and 3) Jesus’ People
Not everyone wants to think of Jesus on the cross. They want to have a Jesus who makes them feel good and leaves them alone unless they need help. But that’s not the Jesus who came. Jesus came and died because we are sinners, deserving of death. He took that death for us. We can’t understand the love and forgiveness of Jesus unless we understand the wickedness of our own sin. Jesus is the King and Deliverer. The people in Acts turned to Jesus when examining the Old Testament scriptures and believing what the prophets said about the Messiah. Jesus’ people are people of the Word - the whole Word.
Family Discussion Questions:
- What’s something that surprised or confused you about this Bible passage? (Look back at your Sermon Notes for help remembering!)
- When you think of Jesus, what are some things that come to mind?
- What does it mean that Jesus is King and Lord over all?
- How does understanding our own sin help us to understand what Jesus did on the cross?
- What parts of the Bible are you tempted to discard or neglect to treat as true? Why is this?
Parent Tip:
· Read the sermon summary together as a family. Build this into your normal routine, perhaps reading together around the table during a meal.
· There are five questions, each with a different theme. You can choose one night a week to go over all five, do a couple questions a few times a week, or discuss one question per day.
· Each question is meant to be a conversation starter. Model for your children how to answer these questions by sharing your own personal insights.
· Even if your conversations don’t go as planned, don’t be discouraged. ALL time spent talking about and reading God’s word is valuable!
· The more consistent you are in having these discussions, the more fruitful they will be. As this becomes part of your weekly rhythm, your kids will anticipate the questions and listen more attentively at church.
Other Scriptures:
- Isaiah 53:4-6
- Psalm 2:1-6
- John 19:14-16a
- Romans 13:1
- Luke 24:25-27
Parent Tip:
Use these additional scriptures as daily reading. These are also a great way to help your children learn to locate passages in the Bible.
Attribute of God:
KING: Jesus rules from heaven and is in charge of everything and everyone everywhere. Nothing is outside of God’s Kingdom. Jesus is Lord of all!
Parent Tip:
We focus on a new attribute of God each week to discuss as a family. Use this time to discuss who God is, answer questions the kids might have, and talk about what that week’s attribute means to each person in your family.
Prayer Focus:
REPENTANCE: Spend some time this week repenting of unkind thoughts that don’t bring glory to God.
Parent Tip:
Each week of the month has its own prayer theme: Church, Family, Community and Repentance. Use these themes to show your children how to pray. It can be helpful to add this to an already existing routine like at bedtime or when you’re in the car together.
THIS MONTH:
A Mighty Fortress is Our God
A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing.
Our helper he, amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great,
And armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
If we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right man on our side,
The man of God’s own choosing.
You ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he!
The Lord of Hosts, his name,
From age to age the same;
And he must win the battle.
And though this world with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us;
We will not fear for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us
Parent Tip:
Each month we highlight a different song for you to sing together. Singing is an integral part of worship! Singing as a family helps teach the kids how to worship at church, and as they learn more songs, they will be able to participate more on Sunday mornings. You can practice your songs in the car, at the dinner table, when you wake up, or at bedtime! You can also check out our playlist on Spotify and sing along with your favorite worship songs.
Memory Verse:
Isaiah 40:8
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”
Parent Tip:
This is the same memory verse that the whole church is learning and it rotates monthly. Practice reciting it as a family each day at least once. Dinner time is a great opportunity to practice together.
New City Catechism:
Question 12: What does God require in the ninth and tenth commandments?
Answer: Ninth, that we do not lie or deceive. Tenth, that we are content, not envying anyone.
