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THIS WEEK:

From the Sermon: Acts 24:1-27

Preacher: Pastor Rusten Harris
‍Scripture: Acts 24:1-27

MAIN POINTS: 1) The Tactics of Darkness, 2) The Defense of Paul, and 3) The Fear of Rulers
No matter how many people hated Paul or whether he was in prison or on the street, the Gospel continued to go forth and spread. Paul didn’t avoid opposition. Rather, he used it as an opportunity to share the truth about Jesus. Paul stood before the governor with the Holy Spirit as his defense and struck down the lies of his enemies. Then Paul spent two years instructing Felix in righteousness, self control and judgment. Rulers need instruction in the truth of the Gospel in order to rule justly and righteously. We, too, must stand firm in the face of opposition and share the truth no matter the consequences.

Family Discussion Questions:‍

1. What’s something that surprised or confused you about this Bible passage? (Look back at your Sermon Notes for help remembering!)
2. How is the "domain of darkness" putting up a fight in your life right now?
3. What can we learn from Paul about how to deal with false accusations?
4. What stands out to you about the topic of Paul and Felix’s conversations?
5. In what ways does our culture call what is evil good or vice versa?
   

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:‍

• Colossians 1:13-14
• Acts 9:15; 23:11
• Mark 13:9-11
• Daniel 2:21b
• Romans 14:10-12; 15:13
• 1 Timothy 3:15b
• 1 Corinthians 1:27-29
• Psalm 72:11
  

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:

PROVIDER: Every good and perfect gift is from God. In his infinite wisdom he gives us exactly what we need.

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:

COMMUNITY: Please pray for our local agencies actively fighting against abortion - that God would protect them and provide for them. 

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:

Build Your Kingdom Here

Come set your rule and reign
In our hearts again
Increase in us we pray
Unveil why we’re made
Come set our hearts ablaze with hope
Like wildfire in our very souls
Holy Spirit come invade us now
We are your Church
And we need your power in us

We seek your kingdom first
We hunger and we thirst
Refuse to waste our lives
For you’re our joy and prize
To see the captive hearts released
The hurt, the sick, the poor at peace
We lay down our lives for heaven’s cause
We are your church
And we pray revive this earth

Build your kingdom here
Let the darkness fear
Show your mighty hand
Heal our streets and land
Set your church on fire
Win this nation back
Change the atmosphere
Build your kingdom here we pray

Unleash your kingdom’s power
Reaching the near and far
No force of hell can stop
Your beauty changing hearts
You made us for much more than this
Awake the kingdom seed in us
Fill us with the strength and love of Christ
We are your church
Oh, and we are the hope on earthOther

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:

Ephesians 6:13
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”

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:

Questions 15: Since no one can keep the law, what is its purpose?
Answer: That we may know the holy nature of God, and the sinful nature of our hearts; and thus our need of a Savior.

Parent Tip:
We are making our way through the New City Catechism with a new question every month. You can practice catechism questions anytime throughout the day! For the complete list of questions, answers and songs, download the free app “New City Catechism” on your device.