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THIS WEEK:
From the Sermon: Acts 11:19-30
Preacher: Pastor Jon Needham
Scripture: Acts 11:19-30
MAIN POINTS: 1) Ordinary witness, 2) Bible teacher, and 3) Financial generosity
We get to see Jesus’ promise of the Gospel being spread throughout the land in this scripture passage. People hundreds of miles apart are coming to know Jesus through the sharing of the Gospel by ordinary people like you and me! Churches were sending for teachers to train and equip them to know the Word of God. Church members were also being generous in taking care of one another during financially difficult times. This is our model of what a Church family should look like.
Family Discussion Questions:
- What’s something that surprised or confused you about this Bible passage? (Look back at your Sermon Notes for help remembering!)
- Do you see yourself as a witness for Jesus? Why or why not?
- What happens when we don’t have good Bible teaching in our church and home?
- In what ways can you and/or your family be generous to other church members?
- What can we learn from the early Church about how a church should function?
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:
- Acts 2:45; 4:34-358:1; 9:22-33; 14:19
- Romans 1:16
- 1 Corinthians 11:24-28
- 2 Timothy 3:16
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:
HEALER: God is our great physician. He not only heals our bodies, but he makes all that is broken by sin new.
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:
- God’s provision for a bigger building as our church continues to grow.
- For God to ambush our government leaders like he did to Saul so they may come to Christ.
- Provision and protection for families facing job loss due to our government’s unjust mandates.
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:
Doxology
Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
All praise to Thee, who safe has kept
And hast refreshed me while I slept
Grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake
I may of endless light partake.
I would not wake nor rise again
And Heav’n itself I would disdain,
Wert Thou not there to be enjoyed,
And I in hymns to be employed
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:
1 John 1:8-9
“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
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 9: What does God require in the first, second, and third commandments?
Answer: First, that we know God as the only true God. Second, that we avoid all idolatry. Third, that we treat God’s name with fear and reverence.
