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THIS WEEK:

From the Sermon: Psalm 49

Preacher: Pastor Brandon Johnston
‍Scripture: Psalm 49

MAIN POINTS: 1) Words of Wisdom 2) Wealth Cannot Redeem 3) Wealth Does Not Follow You, and 4) A God Who Ransoms
All of creation belongs to God and it’s our job to steward that which he has given us. Some have great wealth, and others do not. But all benefit from that which God has created and provided. Wealth often is used to oppress, but God tells us to be generous and care for one another. These words in Psalm 49 remind us that we are all sinners deserving of death, and no amount of wealth can prevent that death. Only Jesus can pay the wages for our sin and he did it on the cross with his own death.

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. What does it mean to be a steward of what God has given you?
3. How has wealth or lack of wealth been a stumbling block for you?
4. Do you fear death? Why or why not?
5. What can we learn from the lives of the animals?
   

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:‍

• Genesis 1:26-30; 2:8, 15
• Romans 6:23
• 1 Timothy 2:5-6
  

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:

IMPARTIAL: God never shows favoritism and always judges righteously.

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: Pray for our local schools, that the board and leaders would be honoring to God and that children would be protected from the lies of the world.

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:

Psalm 34

I sought the Lord and He answered me
And delivered me from every fear
Those who look on Him are radiant
They’ll never be ashamed,
They’ll never be ashamed

This poor man cried and the Lord heard me
And saved me from my enemies
The son of God surrounds his saints
He will deliver them,
He will deliver them

Magnify the Lord with me
Come exalt His name together
Glorify the Lord with me
Come exalt His name forever

Oh taste and see that the Lord is good
Oh blessed is He who hides in him
Oh fear the Lord all of you saints
He’ll give you everything
He’ll give you everything

Let us bless the Lord,
Everyday and night
Never ending praise,
May our incense rise

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:

Jeremiah 17:9-10
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? ‘I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.’”

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 16: What is sin?
Answer: Sin is rejecting or ignoring God in the world he created, not being or doing what he requires in his law.

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.