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THIS WEEK:
From the Sermon: Psalm 71
Preacher: Pastor Rusten Harris
Scripture: Psalm 71
MAIN POINTS: 1) The Condition of Old Age 2) The Reason to Trust God 3) The Resolve to Teach Generations
This week, we read of David’s cry to God in his old age. David remembers God’s faithfulness in his youth and uses that to bolster his courage during the end of his fragile life.
Family Discussion Questions:
1. What’s something that surprised or confused you about this Bible passage?
2. How has getting older been a blessing in your life?
3. What does the bible say about old age?
4. When we are tempted to despair, what can we do to refocus our hearts on God?
5. How can you use the wisdom God has given you in your age to bless the generations younger than you?
Parent Tip:
· Read the sermon summary together as a family. Build this into your regular routine, perhaps reading together around the table during a meal.
· There are five questions, each with a different theme. You can choose to go over all five on one night a week, do a couple of 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 on 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
- Leviticus 19:32
- 1 Timothy 5:1-2
- Hebrews 2:10, 14-15
- 1 Corinthians 6:19b-20
Parent Tip:
Use these additional scriptures as daily reading. This is also a great way to help your children learn to locate passages in the Bible.
Attribute of God:
UNCHANGING God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is faithful when we are young and when we are old.
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 Spend some time in prayer this week repenting for ways you have undervalued those of a different age than you.
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:
MONTHLY SONG:
I Will Sing of my Redeemer
I will sing of my Redeemer and His
wondrous love to me;
On the cruel cross He suffered, from
the curse to set me free.
Sing, O sing of my Redeemer! With
His blood He purchased me;
On the cross He sealed my pardon,
paid the debt, and made me free.
I will tell the wondrous story, how
my lost estate to save,
In His boundless love and mercy, He
the ransom freely gave.
I will praise my dear Redeemer, His
triumphant power I’ll tell:
How the victory He gives me, over
sin and death and hell.
He paid the debt, made me free
From sin and death and hell
He paid the debt, made me free
From sin and death and hell
I will sing of my Redeemer and His
heavenly love for me;
He from death to life has brought
me, Son of God, with Him to be.
Sing, O sing of my Redeemer! With
his blood He purchased me;
On the cross He sealed my pardon,
paid the debt, and made me free.
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:
Hebrews 13:17 “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
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 39: What should we pray?
Answer: The whole Word of God directs us in what we should pray.
