Crosspoint Fellowship Family Resources

Advent 2011

2011-11-27T17:49:00.000-08:00

Come, thou long expected Jesus,

Born to set thy people free;

From our fears and sins release us,

Let us find our rest in thee.

Israel’s strength and consolation,

Hope of all the earth thou art;

Dear desire of every nation,

Joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver,

Born a child and yet a King,

Born to reign in us forever,

Now thy gracious kingdom bring.

By thine own eternal spirit

Rule in all our hearts alone;

By thine all sufficient merit,

Raise us to thy glorious throne.

Advent. A time to remember and celebrate with Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the kings, and the people that God’s promise has been fulfilled in a baby born in Bethlehem. A time to look forward, expecting Christ in His second coming, celebrating His finished work.

“Let us find our rest in thee.” It hit me hard that even when you’re doing good things with your family, if you miss that Christ has come and will come again, you miss the most good that this season has to offer. He is our rest in this season of hustle and bustle.

We encourage you to slow down, and enjoy Him. We encourage you to sit with your children, and strip the distractions away from the most important thing this season has to offer: Christ.

Below are some resources that will help you engage advent together as a family:

What is advent?

Advent Guide from The Village

Jesse Tree and scripture readings

Making much of parenting, and missing the point

2011-10-06T10:27:00.000-07:00

The livingroom exploded into harsh, angry words as my children began arguing for the 900th time that day. As I heard the volume and tone of their voices, I was reminded of Proverbs 15:1. I reminded my children, again, to use gentle words with one another. And, thankfully, all seemed good again.

I've read a ton of books on how to use scripture in parenting. I have wonderful resources that guide me in helping my sweet children see their heart problem is usually bigger than they realize. I've prayed for guidance on how to best teach my children as we go. I've begged God to draw their little hearts to Him. It's so sweet to see God in the little things of our day.

But, what I did next, was almost inconceivable. Not long after the reminder from scripture left my lips, it was time for us to leave. And, since I don't usually do things on time, we were having to rush. By the time we were driving down the street, I had been pushed over the edge, and was chewing out my little ones for acting their age. My words were harsh. My heart problem was bigger than I realized. The very words I spoke moments earlier were the words I needed to hear myself.

It was in the next few days that God showed me that I was making much of parenting well, and was not making much of Him. I was using His very words to make my home quiet and manageable, yet not heeding the very words I was attempting to teach. I was making much of parenting well, and completely missed the point of enjoying God and His Word as the ultimate and final GOOD.

I am convinced that I am not alone in this. So, I encourage you to not make your goal: parenting well. I encourage you to enjoy your God, and your parenting will be an overflow of WORSHIP.

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." Deuteronomy 6:4-7

Preparation for Sunday

2011-08-25T19:07:00.000-07:00

Sunday is really going to be a pretty special day. In the morning we’re going to Hebrews 1:2 considering Christ as Heir and what that means for the nations,what that means for us and even specifically for Lance and Sarah Keeling as they go back to start a church in Chiapas, Mexico. It’s cool to see God connecting where we’d be this Sunday with our circumstances. He’s good about that. Then in the evening we’ll gather at Club Lake to celebrate God’s work in the lives of five people as they’re baptized into the people of God. God has been and continues to be gracious and good to us and we’ll enjoy Him together on Sunday.

In preparation for our time together in the word, read Hebrews 1:1-4. Work on memorization up through verse two. If you have a concordance (most bibles have one) look up and read various passages with the word “inheritance”. Make a few observations about what’s inherited and who’s getting the inheritance. Some exposure to this will be helpful once we’re at the table Sunday morning. Also, pray that God will open the eyes of our hearts to see who Christ is, what He’s done and what the implications might be.

I’m praying for this kind of worship in us.......

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart, naught be all else to me, save that thou art;

Thou my best thought by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

Be thou my wisdom, thou my true word, I ever with thee and thou with me Lord;
Thou my great Father, I thy true son; Thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.

Be thou my breastplate, sword for the fight; Be thou my dignity, thou my delight;
Thou my soul's shelter, thou my high tower: Raise thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise: Thou mine inheritance now and always;
Thou and thou only first in my heart; High King of Heaven, my treasure thou art.

High King of heaven, my victory won, May I reach heaven's joys, O Bright Heaven's sun!;
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

Thanks for reading my note.......hopefully these are helpful for you to prepare your hearts and those of your families. Please note too that Sunday pre-K and K will be in corporate worship with us. If you’re worried about wrestling with your little one (or ones) my encouragement to you, as father of three, is “this too shall pass.” Don’t let it keep you from gathering corporately. We’re seeing that kids who’ve been exposed to small and periodic doses of a preaching type environment are dining and attentive at much earlier ages. I encourage you to press on in the tough work of raising kids in the faith......by worshipping with God’s people......and hearing (even if it doesn’t look like they’re listening) God’s message through preaching.

Lastly......our AC is fixed!!!! (not that we needed it) :)

Ben McGraw

Teaching Pastor

Crosspoint Fellowship

Preparation for Sunday

2011-08-11T20:18:00.000-07:00

Crosspoint family,

We're moving into a new chapter in the life of our church Sunday as we begin a long and careful journey in Hebrews. In preparation for Sunday begin reading Hebrews as a family. Ask and discuss these questions as families:

•. Are we as families listening to God? If so, how?
•. Is our faith dangerous and uncomfortable? Or is our worship journey safe?
•. Are we or could we potentially be lethargic in our faith and worship?
•. Are there some works we trust in? Some things we do that we consider contributing to our salvation?

These are very real issues that are dealt with in this massive book. So we're in for a great and challenging journey dealing with the problems of the Hebrews and embracing the answer of the Author.

See you at 10:00 Sunday.

Ben McGraw
Teaching Pastor
Crosspoint Fellowship

An Encouragement to Pray CONTINUALLY...

2011-07-13T13:21:00.000-07:00

When I put my children in bed, I sometimes **most of the time** want to dance out of the room in celebration of the coming peaceful moments! But bedtime, as I know it, is so precious and so fleeting. As my kids are getting older, I can already tell that I will miss this! I can already feel it slipping away, and I am encouraged to just savor it. Just to spend some time sitting with my children at their bedside and pray with them…pray FOR them.

I have a friend who has diligently prayed specific prayers for his children at bedtime. One of the prayers that he and his wife have prayed is that God would even use dreams to reveal His glory to the children. Praying that God would explain things to his children that couldn’t be understood any other way! One morning last week his five year old told a story to her mom of just that! In this child’s dream, she saw Christ reaching down and drawing her and her sister to Him. To hear those words come from the mouth of a little girl…precious. So precious.

Another friend has a dear child who struggles with things we often take for granted. Her birth mother was on drugs when she was born, and it has permanently affected her life. But as this family has adopted her and fervently prayed for her, their prayer has been that God would give this child love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Just a few days ago I watched this precious child lovingly help a younger friend. This child’s spirit was overflowing with the fruits of the Spirit as she reached out to someone in need. She was able to look beyond herself and see the needs of another. What an amazing answer to prayer.

In these stories, I hear an encouragement to pray! I am encouraged to continue praying for my children. So instead of dancing out of the room immediately, seeking some time to myself, I am encouraged to stop for a moment in the still and quiet moments of a 5 and 4 year old’s room and pray. To pray big prayers for little hearts. To pray to a BIG God for some sweet, precious kids. To pray scripture over their little lives and beg for God to reveal Himself to each of us.

I encourage you to pray for your children. Pray for their little hearts and for their understanding of a BIG God! As a gardener continues to water and care for his garden…continue to pray…

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desiring God's “Scriptural Topics for Prayer”

(Praying for the Next Generation, by Sally Michael)

“Pray that they will trust Christ as Savior at a young age and treasure their inheritance as Sons of God.

John 1:12-13, Psalm 63:1-4, Hebrews 3:14-15, 1 Peter 2:9-10, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, Galatians 5:1

“Pray that they will hate sin and love godliness.

Romans 12:9, Psalm 119:129-136, Ephesians 5:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:15, Philippians 4:8, 1 Peter 5:8-9, 3 John 1:11, Psalm 84:10, James 4:4-7, Matthew 10:28

“Pray that they will appreciate discipline and instruction, and be quick to repent; that they will be caught when they sin; that they will not be stubborn before the Lord.

Proverbs 6:20-23, Hebrews 12:5-11, Psalm 32:8-9, Psalm 51;1-12

“Pray that they will be protected from Satan and evil. Pray that they stand firm in persecution. Pray that they will be patient in affliction and look to God, trusting in His faithfulness when they have problems.

John 17:15, Romans 12:21, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Psalm 121

“Pray that they will be responsible and loving in their relationships with others. Pray that they will walk in humility and look to the needs of others.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Romans 12:9-21, Romans 14:13, Romans 15:1-2, Galatians 6:1-2, Hebrews 12:14-15, Ephesians 4:29-31, Philippians 2:3-4, Colossians 3:12-16, Colossians 4:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15, Luke 6:27-28

“Pray that they will submit to God’s lordship over them, and those He has placed in authority over them.

1 Peter 2:13-17, Romans 13:1-5, Psalm 40:8, 1 Peter 5:6, Ephesians 6:1-3

“Pray that they will choose godly influences; that they would be led to good friends and away from bad friends; that they would marry a godly mate.

Psalm 1:1-3, Philippians 4:8, Proverbs 1:10-15, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, Hosea 2:6, Proverbs 31:10-31

“Pray that they would desire inner beauty and godly character, and that they would grow more Christ-like daily; that they and their future mates, will be kept pure both before and after marriage.

Ephesians 5:1-11, Psalm 119:9, 1 Timothy 2:9-10, 1 Peter 3:3-4, 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, Hebrews 13:4

“Pray that they will learn to walk in God’s ways and actively resist Satan in all circumstances.

Ephesians 6:10-17, Proverbs 3:5-7, Proverbs 4:20-27, 1 Peter 5:6-10, Psalm 143:10, Psalm 86:11

“Pray that they will be fully devoted to Jesus Christ and joyfully invested in the cause of the kingdom.

Romans 12:1-2, Psalm 119:10-11, 1 Corinthians 15:58, 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, Colossians 3:16-17, Colossians 3:23, Galatians 6:9-10, Philippians 2:14-16, Hebrews 12:1-2

“Pray that they would grow in faith and obedience, and in love for God; that they would “love not the world, nor the things of the world.” Pray that they would love the Lord with all their heart, mind, and soul; that they would fear the Lord.

Ephesians 3:14-19, 1 John 2:15-17, Colossians 3:1-2, Matthew 6:19-21, Deuteronomy 10:12-13

“Pray that they would treasure God’s Word and stand up for truth; that they would be free from deception and the lies of the evil one, and have great understanding of the Word.

Psalm 119:33-37, Proverbs 2:1-5, Psalm 119:4-20, James 1:5-8"

Family Worship Guide - Sunday, June 12

2011-06-10T07:31:00.000-07:00

Family Worship Guide

Text(s) for Study: 1 Timothy 1:18-20

Preparation for Worship:

Last week we considered that we ALL are sinners and NEED Jesus’ forgiveness. As we are living in a “Foremost of Sinners” atmosphere, we are putting God’s glory on display as we interact with our family (the Church) and with the world.

We will dive back into the end of 1 Timothy 1 this week. In preparation, read 1 Timothy 1 again, focusing in on verses 18-20.

As you’re considering last week’s message, and as you engage this next week’s message, make a chart that you can write down ways you are pursuing a FOS atmosphere in your home, work, school, etc. Continue to walk with your children as you encourage them to put the glory of God on display through the way they view their NEED for Christ. Encourage them to FIGHT for a pure conscience, FIGHT to stay in the faith, and FIGHT for teach good doctrine.

Psalm 104

2011-02-25T04:47:00.000-08:00

Advent Resources

2010-12-01T13:12:00.000-08:00

As a child, my family gathered around the Advent candles weekly. Weekly, we would recognize the season of hope, joy, love, peace, and ultimately Christ. We would embrace the Christ child in the manger, knowing that it was His birth that brings about the death on a cross and resurrection to bring us a gift far beyond anything we deserve or can even earn.

This is our hope in sharing Christmas with our children daily through this month: every tradition is rooted in Christ and for them to recognize that He is the center of our Christmas! In the Grinch’s words, “It came without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes or bags!” Christmas has nothing to do with these things at all! Christ gave us Christmas!

Maybe you’re like me, knowing what you want for your family, but unsure of how to get there! How do you make the time slow down for a few moments, so you can daily run to marvel at the cross that was possible through the manger.

I hope these resources are helpful as you consider WORSHIPing with your family this December:

“3 Simple Practices for a Peaceful Advent”

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2009/12/3-simple-practices-for-peaceful-advent/

The Jesse Tree: a Family-oriented way to focus on the true meaning of Christmas

http://simplemom.net/jesse-tree/

The following website has a free devotional of the Jesse Tree. Before today, I didn’t even know a “Jesse Tree” existed! It is taken from the Isaiah 11:1, 10. Consider this…

“A tree with roots deep into the past, that finger right out through the stories of the Old Testament, back to the very beginning, and with branches that stretch so high and wide you can see the whole grand panorama of God’s story from the very first blink of the first star over Eden to the blinding light over Bethlehem.

Now this Jesse Tree that our hearts climb high in this season of waiting, it’s named after the Jesse who was the father of David, the first royal branch in the tree of the Messiah to come, David to whom God promised that his line and his sons and his family would be King forever . And when his sons and grandsons and great grandsons turned from God and loved sin more than their Father and their kingdoms fell, and it seemed as though the whole royal family tree of Jesse had been chopped right off a the roots, our covenant, promise-keeping God, He vowed, “Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot – yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root…In that day the heir to David’s thrown will be a banner of salvation to all the world. The nations will rally to him, and the land where he lives will be a glorious place.”

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2010/11/free-jesse-tree-advent-devotional-book/

“For the God in the manger, who makes Himself bread, The Savior in swaddlings who makes Himself our robe of righteousness, the Christ who makes precisely what we can’t – Christmas.”

Enjoy Him this Christmas!

Family Worship Guide

2010-11-08T18:56:00.000-08:00

Text(s) for Study: John 17, John 1:14-18

Preparation for Worship:

Read John 17:22-26. (I encourage you to read the entire chapter 17 with your family. Pray that the Holy Spirit will guide you in all Truth.)

- God is glorified in those whom the Father has given Christ out of the world.

- Jesus talks about giving us glory. We take part in the Father’s glory when we enjoy God most; when we enjoy Him and delight in Him above all else.

Read John 1:14-18

- John addresses the glory of God in the beginning of his epistle. As you read this scripture, think back on Old Testament glimpses of glory.

- Consider God’s glory as you read the following texts with your family:

o Exodus 14:4, 17-18

o Exodus 16:7

o Exodus 24:16-17

o Exodus 16:10, 29:43

The children in Toddler rooms through Kindergarten will be studying Exodus 16:8-36.

Everyday Conversations (LOOK FOR opportunities to revisit the preached Word and the foundational truth(s) taught):

Take a walk with your families and look for God’s glory on display. Open your eyes! The heavens declare the glory of God. Look around. The skies proclaim the work of His hands. Listen closely. Day to day pours forth speech about His goodness. Be attentive. Night to night reveals knowledge. Sing a song of praise to God about the works of His hands together as a family. Worship Him in song as you look for His glory.

“God’s glory is the radiance of His holiness, the radiance of His manifold, infinitely worthy and valuable perfections.” Piper

More resources on God’s Glory: http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/resources/what-is-gods-glory

Catechism Connections - The Help of the Holy Spirit

2010-09-26T11:14:00.000-07:00

Catechism Connections to the Preached Word

The Help of the Holy Spirit

When He comes He will convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgement.

Q7 In how many persons does God exist? (In three persons.)

Matthew 3:16-17, John 5:23, John 10:30, John 14:9-10, John 15:26, John 16:13-15, 1 John 5:20, 2 John 9, Revelation 1:4-5

Q8 Who are they? (The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit)

Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14, 1 Peter 1:2, Jude 20-21

Q23 What is sin? (Sin is any transgression of the law of God.

1 John 3:4, Romans 3:20, James 2:9-11

Q24 What is meant by transgression? (Doing what God forbids.)

1 Samuel 13:8-14, 1 Samuel 15:22-23, Hosea 6:7, Romans 1:21-32

Q31 What does every sin deserve? (The anger and judgement of God.)

Deuteronomy 27:26, Romans 1:18, Romans 2:2, Galatians 3:10,

Ephesians 5:6

Q34 Who can change a sinner’s heart? (The Holy Spirit alone.)

John 3:3, Romans 8:6-11, 1 Corinthians2:9-14, 2 Thessalonians 2:13- 14, Titus 3:5-6

Q35 What is righteousness? (It is God’s goodness.)

Exodus 33:19, Exodus 34:6, Psalm 33:5, Hosea 3:5, Romans 11:22

Q36 Can anyone be saved by his own righteousness? (No. No one is good enough for God.)

Proverbs 20:9, Ecclesiastes 7:20, Romans 3:10-11

Q52 Can you repent and believe in Christ by your own power? (No. I can do nothing good without God's Holy Spirit.)

John 3:5-6, John 6:44, Romans 8:2, 5, 8-11, 1 Corinthians 2:9-14, Galatians 5:17-18, Ephesians 2:4-6

Q53 How can you receive the Holy Spirit? (God has told us that we must pray to Him for the Holy Spirit.

Luke 11:9-13, John 4:10, John 16:24

Catechism Connections to the Preached Word

2010-09-21T11:37:00.001-07:00

Catechism Connections to the Preached Word

Hated by the World – pt 5

In the classrooms children engaged Cain and Abel, the offerings they brought to God, and the way Abel's out loud worship was a sweet one. The following are connections that can be made to the preached Word, as well as to what was taught in the classrooms.

Psalm 104 (This Psalm was viewed in video form during Worship through Song. You can access this video on YouTube at _____.)

Q. 1 Who made you? (God made me.)

Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 2:7, Ecclesiastes 12:1, Acts 17:24-29

Q. 2 What else did God make? (God made all things.)

Genesis 1, Acts 14:15, Romans 11:36, Colossians 1:16

Q. 3 Why did God make you and all things? (For His own glory.)

Psalm 19:1, Jeremiah 9:23-24, Revelation 4:11, Revelation 5:13

How are we to testify about the world that its works are evil?

Q23 What is sin? (Sin is any transgression of the law of God.

1 John 3:4, Romans 3:20, James 2:9-11

Q24 What is meant by transgression? (Doing what God forbids.)

1 Samuel 13:8-14, 1 Samuel 15:22-23, Hosea 6:7, Romans 1:21-32

Q29 What effect did the sin of Adam have on all mankind? (All Mankind is born in a state of sin and misery.)

1 Kings 8:46, Psalm 14:2-3, Psalm 58:3, Ecclesiastes 9:3, Matthew 15:18-20, John 2:24-25, Romans 8:7

Q31 What does every sin deserve? (The anger and judgement of God.)

Deuteronomy 27:26, Ro mans 1:18, Romans 2:2, Galatians 3:10, Ephesians 5:6

Q34 Who can change a sinner’s heart? (The Holy Spirit alone.)

John 3:3, Romans 8:6-11, 1 Corinthians2:9-14, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14, Titus 3:5-6

Q52 Can you repent and believe in Christ by your own power? (No. I can do nothing without God’s Holy Spirit.)

John 3:5-6, John 6:44, Romans 8:2, 5, 8-11, 1 Corinthians 2:9-14, Galatians 5:17-18, Ephesians 2:4-6

Q70 Is God pleased with those who love and obey Him? (Yes. He says, “I love them that love me.)

Proverbs 8:17, Exodus 20:6

Q71 Is God pleased with those who do not love and obey Him? (No. “God is angry with the wicked every day.)

Psalm 7:11, Malachi 2:17, Proverbs 6:16-19

September 19, 2010 - Hated by the World - pt 5

2010-09-19T13:12:00.000-07:00

Family Worship Guide

Text(s) for Study: John 15:18-27, Genesis 4:1-5

Preparation for Worship:

We know that we are hated just as Christ is hated by the world. We have examined the Model for that hatred. Pray for your family as we look at how we testify to the world that its works are evil.

Read Genesis 4:1-5

- Cain and Abel both brought an offering to the Lord. What did Cain bring? (Cain brought fruits of the ground over time.)

- What did Abel bring? (He brought the FIRSTBORN of his flock.)

- Did Abel have to do anything to Cain to cause him to dislike Abel? (No. He simply worshipped God out loud, and Abel didn’t like it.)

Read John 15:18-27

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’

“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.

- Who will Christ send as the Helper as we bear witness about Him? (The Holy Spirit.)

Everyday Conversations (LOOK FOR opportunities to revisit the preached Word and the foundational truth(s) taught):

On Wednesday nights, we’ve been digging into Genesis. Because we are doing an overview of Genesis, we did not cover “Cain and Abel” specifically. This would be a great opportunity for you to engage the story of Cain and Abel with your children.

Family Worship Guide

Lead Teacher Worship Guide

September 5, 2010 - Hated by the World Pt 3

2010-09-07T12:28:00.001-07:00

Family Worship Guide

Text(s) for Study: John 15:18-27, Acts 7:54-8:3, Acts 22:3-24

Preparation for Worship:

We have examined the Model for “being hated by the world”. According to John, we know that we are hated just as Christ is hated by the world.

Read Acts 7:54-8:3

- Consider Stephen’s experience. He was hated by those who were being taught the law of Moses. He was persecuted and killed by those who heard Christ’s teachings. But they hated Stephen, just as they hated Christ.

- Pay specific attention to Saul’s role in all of this. Saul was a part of the world, hating Christ and therefore hating Stephen.

Read Acts 22:3-24

- Saul, the hater, becomes the hated. He begins following Christ, and is therefore hated by this world.

- Saul, the hater, was standing at the side of Stephen as he died. Saul played a key role in Stephen’s death. Knowing that he was the “ring leader” of the haters, and knowing how God used that to bring Saul to Christ, what does that encourage us to do when we are hated by the world? (There is encouragement here that we need to deal with those who hate us with love, grace, and HOPE! Consider Christ’s words from Matthew 5, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”)

Everyday Conversations (LOOK FOR opportunities to revisit the preached Word and the foundational truth(s) taught):

As Ecclesiastes says, there is a season for everything. Your child may not be able to talk, much less be hated by the world. Or you may be in the midst of teaching your child how to respond to the hatred of the world that’s happening in their class. Either way, we need to all be sober-minded as we approach our children about being hated by the world, regardless of their current situation. Consider these words from Everyday Talk by John Younts:

The birth home is not a permanent place for children. In God’s design, only the relationship of the husband and wife is permanent. Children are a vital part of that relationship, but their presence in the home is only temporary. Children are passing through. You job, as we learned earlier, is to create a temporary greenhouse for your children to prepare them for the time when they will be on their own. Your job, parent, is to equip your children.

Take time to equip your children with a response to the world’s hatred. In love. In mercy. Forgiving, as God in Christ forgives us. In HOPE.

Family Worship Guide

Lead Teacher Worship Guide

Activities

Sunday, July 25 : Exodus 31, 36:1-7

2010-07-21T11:18:00.000-07:00

Family Worship Guide

Text(s) for Study: Exodus 31:1-11

Preparation for Worship:
God is so good. He is great. Over the course of 3 weeks, we have been and are engaging this truth in the context of Exodus. We are considering how good He is as we recognize His provision, consider the Sabbath rest, and acknowledge how He has equipped His Church.

Read Exodus 31:1-11

What were these men appointed to do? (Build and create the things in the temple that God had commanded them to build for worship.)
Discuss how God’s command was quickly followed by God’s provision. Discuss ways that you have seen that happen in our church body. (God directed us to an Elder-led church - God provided men who were already being prepared to be Elders, God called us to family worship – God was already preparing families to walk together in Small Groups)

Everyday Conversations (LOOK FOR opportunities to revisit the preached Word and the foundational truth(s) taught):

Pray that God would continue to show His faithfulness to your child. As a family, recount His wonderful deeds. (Psalm 9:1) Continue to look for God’s commands and His provision.

Click here to print the Family Worship Guide.

Click here to see the Lead Teacher Worship Guide and the Activities.

God is Good...God is GREAT! July 18, 2010

2010-07-19T05:38:00.000-07:00

Family Worship Guide

Text(s) for Study: Exodus 16

Read Exodus 16

Talk about God’s provision for His people. Discuss how they continued to grumble, yet God continued to provide. Help your children be sober-minded as they consider ways they might be grumbling at God’s provisions. Encourage them to repent and begin to see how God provides for them every day.
Discuss what God wanted the Israelites to do on the Sabbath. Explain how resting is contrary to our culture’s “go-go-go” mindset. Pray together that God would reveal to your family how you can worship in His provision of rest.
God’s provision for rest was physical, in that there is a specific day of the week that God has ordained for rest. But His rest is also manifested in the person of Jesus Christ. Read Matthew 11:28-29 as you encourage your family to moment-by-moment rest in Him.

Everyday Conversations (LOOK FOR opportunities to revisit the preached Word and the foundational truth(s) taught):’
We learn and retain 20% of what we hear, 40% of what we hear and see, and 80% of what we see, hear, and do. You are teaching far more to your children in the everyday moments of life than you are in the “Sunday best” talks. Pray that God would help you teach your children to obey God’s command of the Sabbath rest! Pray that your family would find daily, moment-by-moment rest in Christ.

Click here to print the Family Worship Guide.

Click here to access the Lead Teacher Worship Guide and additional Activities.

Homosexuality as Idolatry - June 25

2010-06-24T15:09:00.000-07:00

Family Worship Guide
Text(s) for Study: Romans 1:18-31
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

Preparation for Worship:
As you prepare to walk with your family through another deep and heavy topic, pray for understanding. Pray that God will give you wisdom as you teach your children about homosexuality as idolatry!

Read Romans 1:28-31

What suppresses the truth? (Unrighteousness of men)
Although they knew God, why did their foolish hearts become darkened? (They did not honor, give thanks or WORSHIP Him.)
Paul says that “God gave them up” three different times in this passage. In each case, the giving up to sin is a result of idolatry. As a family, discuss how idolatry is refusing to make God the center and circumference of all existence. When we have an idol, it is the great exchange of truth for a lie. It is when we exalt the creature over the Creator. This passage explains that all individual sins are a consequence of the failure to WORSHIP God above all else, prizing and praising Him as the giver of every good thing. Although our modern day idols do not resemble metal images, there are plenty of things people still devote their lives to and trust in other than God.
Paul explains how these people exchanged God’s truth for a lie. They worshipped creature, not Creator. And they exchanged natural (God’s intended) marriage and relationships for unnatural relationships.

The creation account in Genesis 1-2 reveals the divine paradigm for human beings, showing God’s will for man and woman to be joined in marriage. In Exodus 22 we again see how God established the marriage relationship for man and woman.

Worship happens when we place ourselves aside and worship according to His design. Homosexuality is a result of idolatry. Homosexuality is evidence of men and women giving into their lusts and worshipping the creature, not the creator.

Everyday Conversations (LOOK FOR opportunities to revisit the preached Word and the foundational truth(s) taught):’

We see that homosexuality is a sin, just as is abortion, murder, slander, envy, over-indulgence in food, and pride. We know that, due to the sin of Adam, we are all born into a state of sin and misery. We are all incapable of right relationship with God, except through the cross. As a church, we need to call sin – sin. Using the terms “Gay and Lesbian” and “church” together cannot exist because the Church is made up of REPENTANT sinners. Our only source of identity is Christ, not our sin.

Family Worship Guide

Lead Teacher Worship Guide

Activities

Sunday, June 20

2010-06-22T13:19:00.000-07:00

Family Worship Guide
Text(s) for Study:

Psalm 139:13-16
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
Exodus 21:22-23
22 “When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman, so that her children come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined, as the woman's husband shall impose on him, and he shall pay as the judges determine. 23 But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life”

Preparation for Worship:
As you prepare to walk with your family through a deep and heavy topic, pray for understanding. Pray that God will give you wisdom as you teach your children about the sanctity of life!

Read Psalm 139:13-16

As David is writing this Psalm, who does he recognize created him? (God) Who made you? (God made me.)
What is David’s response to God? (praising Him, glorifying Him)
According to this Psalm, when does life begin? (In our mother’s womb, God sees us. Birth does not initiate life, rather life begins within our mother’s womb.)
Note that God is engaged in our creation. He is near and attentive.

Read Exodus 21:22-23

What does this scripture warn the Israelites against doing? (killing a baby inside a mother’s womb)
If the baby is killed, what does God’s law command? (The punishment is life for life.)

Your children may not know that some mothers choose to abort their children. Depending on the age of your child, discuss with them that this very thing that happened in the Old Testament happens today in our world. Explain that God’s Word teaches us that abortion is sinful.

Everyday Conversations (LOOK FOR opportunities to revisit the preached Word and the foundational truth(s) taught):

Pray with your children as you seek God’s direction in how He wants your family to respond.

Family Worship Guide

Lead Teacher Worship Guide

Activities

Deacons

2010-06-10T14:20:00.001-07:00

Family Worship Guide
Text(s) for Study: 1 Timothy 3:8-13
8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. 9 They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. 13 For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Preparation for Worship:
Write the word “Deacon” on the top of a piece of paper.

Read 1 Timothy 3:8-13

Together write down the characteristics of a deacon.

Everyday Conversations (LOOK FOR opportunities to revisit the preached Word and the foundational truth(s) taught):

Unfortunately the position of a deacon can mean different things in different churches. But we have the opportunity to teach our children the Biblical meaning of deacon! Take the opportunity to show them an uncultured view of the position in the body and what the Bible says is expected of such men.

Family Worship Guide

Lead Teacher Worship Guide

Additional Activities

Psalm 133

2010-06-05T11:55:00.000-07:00

Family Worship Guide
Text(s) for Study: Psalm 133, John 17:20-23

Preparation for Worship:
Read Psalm 133

What does David say is good and pleasant? (When brothers dwell in unity.)
Who are our brothers? (The body of Christ)
Discuss how we live in unity within the body of Christ.

Read John 17:20-23

This is the “High Priestly Prayer” that Jesus prayed right before His betrayal. In this prayer, He prays for Himself and for His disciples. But He doesn’t stop there, He prays for the church also. In verses 21, what does Jesus ask the Father? (That all who believe in Him are one.)

Everyday Conversations (LOOK FOR opportunities to revisit the preached Word and the foundational truth(s) taught):

The interaction between siblings or between your child and friends are perfect opportunities to point Christ-ward. When the opportunity presents itself, you can teach the “offended” child how to respond in love. Pray for unity with your children. Pray with your children that God would give them the ability to be obedient to respond with the love that God has poured on us.

Click here to print the Family Worship Guide.

Click here for the Lead Teacher Worship Guide.

Click here for activities.

John 15:12-17 Friends with God

2010-05-20T08:19:00.000-07:00

Family Worship Guide

Text(s) for Study: John 15:12-17

Genesis 18

Preparation for Worship:

Read John 15:12-17.

- What does Christ command us to do? (To love others as He has loved us.)

- How does someone show the greatest love? (lay down his life for his friends.)

- Who did Jesus call friends? (People who walk in obedience.)

- What does Jesus do for His friends? (Made known to His friends all that the Father has revealed to Him.)

- Why did Jesus command these things? (So that we will love one another.)

To the ears of the well-versed Jew, the words “You are my friends” implied a stunning level of comfortable personal interaction with God, who is also eternal, omnipotent Creator of the universe. The well-versed Jew knew that very few were “friends” of this God as revealed in the Old Testament. In 2 Chronicles 20:7 and Isaiah 41:8, scripture reveals Abraham as friend. However, in John 15, Jesus extends this sweet privilege to all obedient believers.

Read Genesis 18 and consider how God responded to Abraham. Consider how God shared things with Abraham because of their friendship.

Everyday Conversations (LOOK FOR opportunities to revisit the preached Word and the foundational truth(s) taught):

As we teach our children about love, we point them to the perfect love of God. John 15 can be very misrepresented to our children. We need to show this picture of the new covenant between God and man with a broad lens. We never want to make this friendship look like a different New Testament “Jesus is my home-boy” kind of God. This God of the Old Testament is the same as that of the New Testament and is the same God we worship today. He never changes. He is still the Holy God.

So when we teach this scripture to our children, we want to teach it with the backdrop of the Old Testament. That’s where the disciples sat, knowing the gravity of this statement. We need to feel the same gravity as we hear these words from Christ:

You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

**Listen to the following clip of Andrew Strom as He teaches on God as our “friend”.

Click here to print a copy of the Family Worship Guide

Click here to download the Lead Teacher Worship Guide

Click here to access more activities to teach the lesson.

Clip - Andrew Strom

2010-05-20T06:30:00.000-07:00

John 15:12-17

2010-05-13T18:56:00.000-07:00

Family Worship Guide

Text(s) for Study: John 15:1-11

Deuteronomy 28

Preparation for Worship:

Read John 15:12-17.

- What does Christ command us to do? (To love others how He has loved us.)

Discuss HOW Christ loved us.

- Ephesians 2:1-10 (He loved us as enemies of God.)

- Ephesians 1:3-10 (He loved us as adopted children.)

- John 15:15 (He loved us as friends.)

- Ephesians 5:25-27 (He loved us as the bride.)

Think back to the Church Series. HOW did Christ love the church?

- Uncomfortably (Genesis 39:19-21, Ephesians 3:18-19, Romans 8:16-17, Hebrews 12:1-11)

- Undeservedly and uninfluenced (Genesis 32:9-12, Deuteronomy 7:6-8, 2 Timothy 1:8-9, 1 John 4:19)

- Specifically (Romans 9:8-13, Deuteronomy 4:32-39, Ephesians 1:3-6, 1 Peter 2:9-10)

- Surgically (John 3:16, Romans 5:8, Romans 6:23, 1 John 4:10)

Worship together as a family as you sing “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us”.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSWC7XozVgY)

Everyday Conversations (LOOK FOR opportunities to revisit the preached Word and the foundational truth(s) taught):

As we teach our children about love, we point them to the perfect love of God. It is only in the love of God that we learn how to love others. We need to teach our kids how deep the Father’s love had to reach so that they will learn how to love those outside of themselves.

“According to God’s Word, it begins with the knowledge that we have been disobedient. We have violated God’s prohibitions and failed to love as we ought. Do we realize that we were Christ’s enemies? If we do, then we have no choice but to treat enemies the way God has treated us.” (Edward T Welch, When People are Big and God is Small, pg 188)

Click here to print the Family Worship Guide.

Click here to access the Lead Teacher Worship Guide.

Click here to access some fun activities.

John 15:10-11 That Your Joy May Be Full

2010-05-06T14:14:00.000-07:00

Family Worship Guide

Text(s) for Study: John 15:1o-11

Deuteronomy 28

Preparation for Worship:

Read John 15:1-6

- Who is the true Vine? (Jesus)

- Who is the Vinedresser/Gardener? (the Father)

- What happens to the branch that does not bear fruit? (He cuts it off and throws it into the fire.)

- What happens to the branch that bears fruit? (He prunes/cleans it.)

- How does He prune the branches? (through His Word, through circumstances, and through discipline)

Read John 15:7-11

- What brings glory to the Father? (abide in Christ, bear fruit, being disciples)

- Jesus obeyed the Father’s commandments and abided in His love, setting the example for us to do the same. Jesus experienced complete joy in abiding in the Father. How do we experience complete joy? (when we obey God’s word)

Discuss what complete joy (eternal) vs. happiness and pleasure (temporal).

Children in KidsPoint (Kindergarten and younger) will be looking at Deuteronomy 28 (specifically vs 45-47). These Words from Moses were spoken to the people of Israel as they waited on the plains of Moab, ready to enter Canaan. In this chapter, Moses gives a picture of how God deals with an obedient people and with a disobedient people. He encourages them to walk gladly in the commandments the Lord gives them, and warns them against disobedience.

Everyday Conversations (LOOK FOR opportunities to revisit the preached Word and the foundational truth(s) taught):

As we are given opportunities to shepherd our children into obedience, we need to consistently point them to the Father’s glory. They will experience complete joy as they are in glad obedience, mirroring Christ’s obedience to the Father. We need to teach our children that Jesus’ greatest joy was in the glory of the His father. Our obedience leads to that same complete joy.

“The source of the joy is deeper than Jesus’ doing the Father’s will. It’s seeing the Father’s glory and being glorified with the Father. The perfect obedience of the Son is sustained by the joy that is set before him (Hebrews 12:2), and that joy was his return to the Father. So when Jesus says in John 17:13 that he wants his joy to be fulfilled in us, he means that he wants the joy he has in his Father to be in us so that we would enjoy the Father the way he does.” (John Piper, The Supremacy of Christ and Joy in a Postmodern World, sermon October 1, 2006)

This is a phrase we use often in our home, in regards to obedience:

“Obey all the way, right away, with a happy heart.” (Ginger Plowman)

Click here to print a copy of the Family Worship Guide.

Click here to access this week's Lead Teacher Worship Guide.

Click here to access some fun activities to accompany this sermon.

God Glorifying Work of Pruning Through Discipline - John 15

2010-04-29T14:59:00.000-07:00

Family Worship Guide

Text(s) for Study: John 15:1-11, Hebrews 12:1-11

Preparation for Worship:
Read John 15:1-11

Who is the True Vine? (Jesus)
Who is the Vinedresser/Gardener? (the Father)
What happens to the branch that does not bear fruit? (It is cut away and thrown into the fire.)
What happens to the branch that bears fruit? (He prunes/cleans it so that it will bear more fruit.)
How does He prune the branches (through His Word and through circumstances)

Read Hebrews 12:1-11

This scripture is a very familiar passage. However, we usually view the words from Hebrews as encouraging words to get through hard seasons. Look carefully at this passage:
What do we need to lay aside? (sin)
Who perfects us? (Jesus)
Who do we look to as we endure discipline? (Jesus, who endured what He did not deserve or need)
Who does the Lord discipline? (Those He loves)
Why does the Lord discipline? (For our good, so we can share His holiness.)
What does discipline yield? (the peaceful fruit of righteousness)

Read John 15:1-4

How else does the Father prune the branch? (through discipline)

Everyday Conversations (LOOK FOR opportunities to revisit the preached Word and the foundational truth(s) taught:

As parents, we are given many opportunities to discipline. As you discipline your children, encourage them to see the picture of God disciplining His children. Show them that it is through love that we are disciplined; through discipline that we are pruned; and through pruning that we bear fruit. Encourage them with the words of the writer of Hebrews!

"Biblical discipline gets to the heart of the problem. After all, if you can reach the heart, the behavior will take care of itself. In order for us to reach the hearts of our children we must realize that there is far more to parenting than getting our children to ACT right." (Plowman, Ginger. Don't Make Me Count to Three. Wapwallopen, PA: Shepherd Press, 2003)

Click here to download and print a copy of the Family Worship Guide.

Click here to access the Lead Teacher Worship Guide.

Click here for more activities to use with the lesson!

April 25 - A Proper Priest - Malachi 1 & 2

2010-04-22T18:03:00.000-07:00

Family Worship Guide

Text(s) for Study: Exodus 28-29

1 Peter 2:9

Malachi 1-2

Preparation for Worship:

Read Exodus 28-29.

- As a family, consider the garments of a priest. (For younger children, maybe draw a picture of the pieces of the garments as you read through the scripture or make a list of the things the priest must wear.)

- Discuss the physical burden (the weight) of these pieces.

- Consider the consecration of the Priests (The consecration was a ceremony that set the Priests aside for God’s purposes. This consecration was specifically for Priests, the line of Aaron. This was a ceremony that occurred in front of the people and included washing, the putting on of the Priestly garments, and sacrificial offerings.) so that they are allowed to enter the Holy of Holies to communicate with God.

Read 1 Timothy 5:17-25.

- Although eldership is, in some ways, different from a priest God calls elders to carry a burden of God’s people.

- As you are considering the call of an elder. Take time to pray for Scott Sutton, as he is being appointed to the position of an elder at Crosspoint Fellowship. Pray for him, the other elders, and each of their families.

Read 1 Peter 2:9

- Christ is the High Priest, the mediator for our sins. Peter explains that we are all a part of the priesthood through Christ.

Click here to print the "Family Worship Guide".

Click here to access the "Lead Teacher Worship Guide".

Click here to access "Activities".

April 18, 2010 - What God Expects from His Vineyard

2010-04-15T18:55:00.000-07:00

Please remember that our services begin at 10:00 am now!

All teachers and nursery workers need to be in your rooms at 9:30 am!

Family Worship Guide

Text(s) for Study: Philippians 2:4

Matthew 25:31-46

Isaiah 58

Preparation for Worship:

Read Philippians 2:1-15.

- Paul encourages the church of Philipi – and us - to be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord, and of one mind.

- What fruit does Paul say that we have to bear in order to do this? (verse 3-4: humility, considering others over ourselves)

- In verses 5-11, who does Paul point us to? (Christ)

- In verse 15, Paul explains why we bear this kind of fruit. Why? (so that you are blameless and innocent without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, shining as lights in the world)

Read Isaiah 58

- What did God tell Isaiah to declare to the people of Israel in verse 1? (their transgression, their sins)

- In verse 2, what does Israel do? (seek God daily, delight to know His ways, ask for righteous judgments, delight to draw near to God, the fast that signifies true, undefiled, whole-hearted worship that is not self-seeking)

- Why does Israel fast? (to seek their own pleasure)

- In verse 6-7, what fast does God expect from His people? (loose the bonds of wickedness, undo the straps of the yoke, let the oppressed go free, share bread with the hungry, bring the homeless into the house, clothe the naked.

Pray that God would use the teaching this week to give you a full picture of what God is calling your family to be.

Everyday Conversations (LOOK FOR opportunities to revisit the preached Word and the foundational truth(s) taught)

Children are very compassionate little creatures! Give them an opportunity to help create opportunities for your family to worship through serving!

Lindsay Lane just wrote a blog about serving others! She has found several ideas that you can do with young children! Check out LINDSAY'S BLOG for some incredible ideas!

CLICK HERE to print a copy of the Family Worship Guide!

CLICK HERE to access the Lead Teacher's Guide!

CLICK HERE to access the Activities!

April 10, 2010 - What God Expects from His Vineyard

2010-04-08T20:58:00.000-07:00

Please remember that our services begin at 10:00 am now!

All teachers and nursery workers need to be there at 9:30!

Family Worship Guide

Text(s) for Study: Philippians 2:4

Matthew 25:31-46

Isaiah 58

Preparation for Worship:

Read Philippians 2:4.

- Discuss what it means to look to the interest of others.

- Let your children make a list of things they can do to look to someone else’s interest.

Read Matthew 25:31-46.

- Discuss what Jesus requires us to do in worship.

- Talk about how we respond to the people around us is in direct relationship to our worship to Him.

Read Isaiah 58

- What did God tell Isaiah to declare to the people of Israel in verse 1? (their transgression, their sins)

- In verse 2, what does Israel do? (seek God daily, delight to know His ways, ask for righteous judgements, delight to draw near to God)

- Why does Israel fast? (to seek their own pleasure)

Pray that God would use the teaching this week to give you a full picture of what God is calling your family to be.

Small Group:

Have children share their notes (pictures) from Sunday’s sermon.

Read Luke 10:25-37. Consider the Parable of the Good Samaritan in light of the warnings of God through Isaiah and through Christ. Consider the encouragement of Paul in this passage about two men whose priority, much like Israel, was to worship God in the Temple, not to act on His law of love!

Let the children think of something to do for someone else in our community. If you have the opportunity in small group, do it! (This may include drawing a picture for someone in a nursing home, making a meal for a working mom, or something else that your group thinks of!)

Everyday Conversations (LOOK FOR opportunities to revisit the preached Word and the foundational truth(s) taught):

Children are very compassionate little creatures! Give them an opportunity to help create opportunities for your family to worship through serving!

Lindsay Lane just wrote a blog about serving others! She has found several ideas that you can do with young children! Check out LINDSAY'S BLOG for some incredible ideas!

CLICK HERE to print a copy of the Family Worship Guide!

CLICK HERE to access the Lead Teacher's Guide!

CLICK HERE to access the Activities!

April 3, 2010 - John 15

2010-04-03T19:30:00.000-07:00

Remember that our services begin at 10:00 am!
Family Worship Guide

Foundational Truth: We need God

Text(s) for Study: John 15:1-10

Preparation for Worship:

Read John 15:1-10

- Who is the True Vine? (Jesus)

- Who is the “gardener” or “vinedresser”? (the Father)

- What happens to branches that do not bear fruit? (The Vinedresser takes them away.)

- What happens to the branches that bear fruit? (they are pruned)

- The word “prune” is used interchangeably with “clean” in the original language. What does God use to prune/clean us? (the Word)

Read Psalm 119:67

- What brought the Psalmist to the Word of God? (affliction, trials, suffering)

Read 1 Peter 4:12-16, 19

- Should we be surprised or taken back by suffering? (NO! Suffering WILL happen!)

- What should we do to suffer well? (Trust in the Creator)

Read John 15:3

- How are we cleaned? (by the Word of God)

Abide in His Word.

Everyday Conversations (LOOK FOR opportunities to revisit the preached Word and the foundational truth(s) taught):

Abiding in Christ is daily. His Word should be on our hearts. We should be teaching the Word to our children in every situation and circumstance: as we sit, as we rise, as we lie down, as we drive to school, as we wait in line at Brookshire’s. The Word cleans us. We should be clinging to the Word.

This week spend some time clinging to the Word with your children. Begin by memorizing some scripture with them. Teach them how to meditate on the Word.

Click here to print the "Family Worship Guide".

Click here to access the "Lead Teacher Guide".

CLICK HERE to access some activities to use as you spend time with your family enjoying the True Vine!

www.crosspointfellowship.us

Easter and Eggs!

2010-03-31T12:57:00.000-07:00

A group of mommies and kiddos are meeting at Aunt Char's park on Thursday, April 1 at 10:30 am for an Easter Party! There will be activities for the kids, a yummy lunch, and a fun Easter Egg Hunt!!!

If you would like to bring something for the lunch, please contact Annie at anniewetzel@yahoo.com!

Also on Monday, April 5th we will be going for a picnic at the Hamilton's house! We will be collecting chicken eggs from their barn and making a yummy egg snack! All this fun begins at 12:00 on Monday, so pack your picnic basket and join us!!! For directions, please contact Annie at anniewetzel@yahoo.com!

March 28, 2010

2010-03-25T19:21:00.000-07:00

Family Worship Guide

Text(s) for Study: John 15:1-8, Psalm 9:1-2

Preparation for Worship:

Read John 15:1-8

- As we abide in Christ, what happens? (We bear MUCH fruit.)

- In verse 8, who gets the glory when there is fruit? (God, the Father)

Read Psalm 9:1-2

- How do you give thanks to the Lord? (With your whole heart.)

- Discuss the following definition of “recount”

re·count –verb (used with object)

1. to relate or narrate; tell in detail; give the facts or particulars of.

2. to narrate in order.

3. to tell one by one; enumerate.

- Recognize that fruit production should cause us to recount His wonderful deeds. Take time to discuss the fruits of His wonderful deeds!

- Prepare your family to come worship whole-heartedly and glorify God as we recount His work in us, the Bride!

Everyday Conversations (LOOK FOR opportunities to revisit the preached Word and the foundational truth(s) taught):

Consider this encouragement from Scott:

“Our story of redemption is not simply about what God has done in the past. God is at work in the lives of His children everyday. His wonderful deeds are still happening. This Psalm reminds us that to be whole-hearted in worship, we must recount the Lord’s deeds. In other words, a whole-hearted worshipper will always aim to make God’s goodness known to others.” http://recounters.blogspot.com/

Please remember that ALL children will join us in worship on Sunday as we meet at Greenville High School for Membership Renewal!

Click here to print the Family Worship Guide!

March 21, 2010

2010-03-20T06:51:00.000-07:00

Family Worship Guide

Foundational Truth: We need God

Text(s) for Study: Luke 8:4-15

John 15:1-8

Preparation for Worship:

Read John 15:1-8

- Who is the True Vine? (Jesus)

- Who is the “gardener” or “vinedresser”? (the Father)

- Where do the branches that do not bear fruit come from? (They are branches in the True Vine.)

- What happens to branches that do not bear fruit? (The Vinedresser takes them away.)

- What happens to the branches that bear fruit? (they are pruned)

- In verse 4, how does a branch bear fruit? (abide in Jesus, the vine)

- What happens when we abide in Christ? (We bear MUCH fruit.)

- What happens when we are apart from Christ? (We can do NOTHING)

- What happens if we do not abide in Christ? (thrown out, dried up, gathered and cast into the fire and burned up)

Read Luke 8:4-15

- What types of ground is the seed sown in? (on the road, rocky soil, soil with thorns, good soil)

- Look at verses 7 and 14. Does the plant that grows among the thorns have fruit? (Yes, it produces immature fruit. The thorns take away the nourishment that the plant needs to bear good fruit. The person who is like the seed in the thorns is consumed with the pleasures of this life. Their fruit is small and immature because they are not abiding in Christ.)

- Read verses 8 and 15. What is the difference in the matured plant grown in the thorns and the matured plant grown in the good soil? (The plant in the thorns has immature fruit and cannot be sustained by the nourishment from the ground because the thorns are taking everything it needs, and blocking it from the needed sun. The plant in good soil is overflowing with fruit, getting every bit of nourishment needed from the soil it was planted in. –vs 15- The person who is like the seed planted in the good soil hears the Word, holds it fast, and bears fruit with perseverance. This is a perfect picture of abiding in Christ.)

Everyday Conversations (LOOK FOR opportunities to revisit the preached Word and the foundational truth(s) taught):

As you are walking with your children, their little sins are out-loud and seemingly unending. Take the time to address more than just the behavior.

“Biblical discipline gets to the heart of the problem. After all, if you can reach the heart, the behavior will take care of itself. In order for us to reach the hearts of our children we must realize that there is far more to parenting than getting our children to act right.” (Plowman, Ginger. Don’t Make Me Count to Three. Wapwallopen, PA: Shepherd Press, 2003.)

A fruit problem is symptomatic of a root problem! Encourage your children to daily, moment-by-moment, turn to the Word and lead your children into knowing that the difference between a good-soil plant and a thorn-choked plant is the perseverance and daily abiding in Him.

Click here to print the "Family Worship Guide".

CLICK HERE to access some activities to use as you spend time with your family!

www.crosspointfellowship.us

March 14, 2010 - John 15

2010-03-12T21:03:00.000-08:00

Family Worship Guide

Foundational Truth: We need God

Text(s) for Study: John 15:1-11
Luke 8:4-15

Preparation for Worship:

Read John 15:2
Where do the branches that do not bear fruit come from? (They are branches in the True Vine.)
What happens to branches that do not bear fruit? (The Vinedresser takes them away.)

Read Luke 8:4-15
What types of ground is the seed sown in? (on the road, rocky soil, soil with thorns, good soil)
Look at verses 7 and 14. Does the plant that grows among the thorns have fruit? (Yes, it produces immature fruit. The thorns take away the nourishment that the plant needs to bear good fruit. The person who is like the seed in the thorns is consumed with the pleasures of this life. Their fruit is small and immature because they are not abiding in Christ.
Read verses 8 and 15. What is the difference in the matured plant grown in the thorns and the matured plant grown in the good soil? (The plant in the thorns has immature fruit and cannot be sustained by the nourishment from the ground because the thorns are taking everything it needs, and blocking it from the needed sun. The plant in good soil is overflowing with fruit, getting every bit of nourishment needed from the soil it was planted in. –vs 15- The person who is like the seed planted in the good soil hears the Word, holds it fast, and bears fruit with perseverance. This is a perfect picture of abiding in Christ.)

Read John 15:5-6
What happens when we abide in Christ? (We bear MUCH fruit.)
What happens when we are apart from Christ? (We can do NOTHING)
What happens if we do not abide in Christ? (thrown out, dried up, gathered and cast into the fire and burned up)

Everyday Conversations (LOOK FOR opportunities to revisit the preached Word and the foundational truth(s) taught):

As you are walking with your children, their little sins are out-loud and seemingly unending. Take the time to address more than just the behavior.

“Biblical discipline gets to the heart of the problem. After all, if you can reach the heart, the behavior will take care of itself. In order for us to reach the hearts of our children we must realize that there is far more to parenting than getting our children to act right.” (Plowman, Ginger. Don’t Make Me Count to Three. Wapwallopen, PA: Shepherd Press, 2003.)

A fruit problem is symptomatic of a root problem! Encourage your children to daily, moment-by-moment, turn to the Word and lead your children into knowing that the difference between a good-soil plant and a thorn-choked plant is the perseverance and daily abiding in Him.

Click here to print the "Family Worship Guide".

CLICK HERE to access some activities to use as you spend time with your family!

www.crosspointfellowship.us

March 7, 2010 - The True Vine - John 15

2010-03-07T14:16:00.000-08:00

Family Worship Guide

Foundational Truth: We need God
Text(s) for Study: John 15:1-11

Preparation for Worship:

Read John 15:1-11

Who is the True Vine? (Jesus)
Jesus talked about the branches of the vine bearing fruit. As a family, discuss what fruit Jesus was talking about.

Read Galatians 5:22-23.

Can you have any of this ‘fruit’ apart from Christ?”

Read John 15:4-5.

When we abide in Christ what does Christ do? (He abides in us.)
What does “abide” mean? (live in)
Can a branch bear fruit if it’s cut off the vine? (No, it can only bear fruit if it’s attached to the vine. The vine provides nourishment so that the branch bears fruit.)
Can we bear fruit on our own? (No, it is only when we are abiding in Christ that we can bear fruit.)

Read John 15:8-11

What happens when we abide in Christ and bear fruit? (God is glorified.)
What does Jesus say we abide in? (We abide in His love.)
How do we abide in His love? (We keep His commandments.)

Everyday Conversations (LOOK FOR opportunities to revisit the preached Word and the foundational truth(s) taught):

Fruit production is a by-product of Worship! When you see your children struggling with wrong behaviors, help them identify that there is a deeper heart issue at hand. Help them identify why they are not bearing fruit and lead them to their knees so that they can pray and ask God for His help. It is only by the True Vine that we receive the nourishment that produces fruit. And the fruit is there because we are connected to the True Vine.

Click here to print the "Family Worship Guide".

CLICK HERE to access some activities to use as you spend time with your family enjoying the True Vine!