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THIS WEEK:
From the Sermon: Psalm 41
Preacher: Pastor Jon Needham
Scripture: Psalm 41
Psalm 41 gives us a glimpse into David’s suffering and how God uses him to teach us how to deal with our own suffering. We discussed the opportunity to evaluate our hearts and the revealing of sin that suffering provides, the desire for justice that suffering awakens, and the blessing of those who refuse for give in to sin.
Family Discussion Questions:
- What’s something that surprised or confused you about this Bible passage? (Look back at your Sermon Notes for help remembering!)
- How does suffering provide a unique opportunity to reveal sin in our hearts that we may not have realized were there?
- What do justice and suffering have in common?
- In what ways do you see Jesus in Psalm 41?
- What is your personal response to suffering? How can you change your response to be more like Jesus’?
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:
- Job 13:15
- Romans 13:3-4
- Psalm 1:1-3
- Micah 6:8
- James 1:27
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:
INFINITE: God has no limit. He cannot be measured.
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 those in our community who's job it is to protect: Police officers, Firefighters, Social Workers, Foster Parents, Teachers, etc. Can you think of anyone else who's job it is to protect?
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:
‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take him at his Word;
Just to rest upon his promise,
Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust him more!
O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust his cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
‘Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
I’m so glad I learned to trust thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that thou are with me,
Will be with me to the end.
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 3:6-7
“...whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
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 7: What does the law of God require?
Answer: That we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; and love our neighbor as ourselves.
