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THIS WEEK:

From the Sermon: Acts 6:8 - 7:60

Preacher: Pastor Jon Needham
‍Scripture: Acts 6:8 - 7:60

In the sermon this week, we heard about Stephen and his encounter with the religious leaders. They were angry at Stephen for telling the truth about Jesus. The leaders wanted to be in charge, not God. Stephen reminded them that God’s place is not in the temple because God is everywhere; God’s man is Jesus, not Moses; and God’s Law doesn’t save us from our sin, but Jesus’ death on the cross saves us from our sin.  

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. Why were the religious leaders angry with Stephen?
3. How can we know what God says about Jesus, ourselves, and our sin?
4. In what ways does the law—or God’s rules—teach us about God?
5. Spend some time discussing what it must have been like for Stephen to say these things to the religious leaders and how he responded even when they hurt 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:‍

• Matthew 5:17; 24:1-2
• Isaiah 66:1-2a
• 1 Kings 8:27
• John 2:19
• Romans 3:19-20 
  

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:

GUIDE: God leads us in our lives and in the paths that we should go in many ways, but especially through his words in the Bible.

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: Ask forgiveness for being impatient - with ourselves, with others, and with 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:

Lord, From Sorrows Deep I Call‍

Lord, from sorrows deep I call
When my hope is shaken  
Torn and ruined from the fall
Hear my desperation
For so long I’ve bled and prayed
“God, come to my rescue.”
Even so, the thorn remains
Still my heart will praise You

Storms within my troubled soul  
Questions without answers
On my faith these billows roll
God, be now my shelter  
Why are you cast down, my soul?
Hope in Him who saves you
When the fires have all grown cold
Cause this heart to praise you

Oh, my soul, put your hope in God
My Help, my Rock, I will praise Him
Sing, oh sing, through the raging storm
You’re still my God, my salvation

Should my life be torn from me
Every worldly pleasure
When all I possess is grief
God, be then my treasure
Be my vision in the night
Be my hope and refuge
Till my faith is turned to sight
Lord, my heart will praise You

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:

Proverbs 18:10
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe”

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 4: How and why did God create us?
Answer: God created us male and female in his own image to glorify him.

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.