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THIS WEEK:
From the Sermon: Acts 25:1-27
Preacher: Pastor Brandon Johnston
Scripture: Acts 25:1-27
MAIN POINTS: 1) Pursuing Peace at the Cost of Justice, 2) The Power of Holy Living, and 3) The Resurrection
In our passage this week, Paul stands before the new governor, Festus, and again the Jews urge for his death. Festus has a choice to make: to pursue peace with the Jews and condemn Paul, or risk enmity with the Jews and seek justice for Paul since he indeed did not break the law. Paul’s holy living spoke for him - not because he was without sin, but because he relied on the forgiveness he had in the death and resurrection of Jesus and the truth that he had done nothing wrong in proclaiming this Gospel. Paul stood confident among his accusers, knowing that doing what is right is worth whatever consequence came his way. The Gospel gives us strength and confidence in the face of adversity.
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 are you tempted to pursue what feels like peace, even if it isn’t the right thing to do?
- In what ways do you struggle with needing the approval of other people?
- What do you exchange the truth of God for?
- How has God transformed your life and desires as you’ve grown in your relationship with him?
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:
- 1 Tim 5:21
- James 2:1
- Romans 1:25
- Lev 11:45
- 1 Peter 1:15
- Col 3:1-2
- Ephesians 5:1-2
- Galatians 2:20
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:
SAVIOR: We are all condemned to eternal death because we’ve sinned against our holy God. Every one of us needs rescuing - and Jesus is the one who saves us from the punishment of sin which is death.
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 time in prayer this week repenting of impatience. Ask God to grow you in the fruit of the Spirit.
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.
