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THIS WEEK:
From the Sermon: Psalm 35
Preacher: Pastor Jon Needham
Scripture: Psalm 35
As we worked through Psalm 35 this week, we focused on the reality of evil, the experience of suffering, and the cry for judgment. David models for us what we can and should do with the evil that we experience in this world. We need to call it out by name and not pretend it doesn’t exist. We also need to trust in God’s judgment of the evil that has been done to us.
Family Discussion Questions:
- What’s something that surprised or confused you about this Bible passage? (Look back at your Sermon Notes for help remembering!
- What happens when people don’t believe there is a right and wrong or good and evil?
- In what ways have you dealt with suffering? What is similar and/or different about that than what David models for us in Psalm 35?
- What are we doing when we cry out to God for judgment?
- What are some promises of God that can help us in times of suffering?
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:
- Romans 12:19
- John 15:13
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:
ACCESSIBLE: Because of Jesus, we have direct access to God the Father. We can come to him with confidence, knowing that he hears and answers our prayers.
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: Take time this week to repent for lack of self control. Talk as a family about what self control looks like in different situations and ask God to help you with that this week.
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:
Jesus Paid It All
I hear the Savior say,
“Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power and Thine alone
Can change the leper’s spots
And melt this heart of stone.
And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete
“Jesus died my soul to save,”
My lips shall still repeat
Oh praise the One who paid my debts
And raised this life up from the dead
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:
Titus 3:4-5
“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit...”
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 6: How can we glorify God?
Answer: By loving him and by obeying his commands and law.
