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THIS WEEK:
From the Sermon: Acts 6:1-7
Preacher: Pastor Jon Needham
Scripture: Acts 6:1-7
This Sunday, we read about a challenge in the early Church, the danger, and the solution to that challenge. As the Church continued to grow and more people came to participate, it became increasingly difficult for the Apostles to keep up with all the needs of the people—specifically the widows in this text. The Apostles needed to have their focus be on the teaching and preaching of God’s Word, so new leaders—called Deacons—were appointed to administrate the other needs of the people.
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 challenge was the early Church having?
- Who is responsible for all the needs of the people in the Church?
- How does Jesus model being a servant for us?
- Spend some time as a family discussing how you can use the gifts God has given you to serve the Church, your neighborhood, and the community.
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:
- Exodus 22:22-24
- James 1:18, 27a
- Psalm 19:7-10
- Isaiah 55:10-11
- Romans 10:14-15
- 2 Timothy 3:14-17; 4:1-4
- John 17:17
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:
PROVIDER: God gives all creation exactly what it needs. He feeds the birds, waters the plants, and he provided for people’s greatest need by sending his Son to be our Savior.
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 the widows in our lives and communities.
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:
Lord, From Sorrows Deep I Call
Lord, from sorrows deep I call
When my hope is shaken
Torn and ruined from the fall
Hear my desperation
For so long I’ve bled and prayed
“God, come to my rescue.”
Even so, the thorn remains
Still my heart will praise You
Storms within my troubled soul
Questions without answers
On my faith these billows roll
God, be now my shelter
Why are you cast down, my soul?
Hope in Him who saves you
When the fires have all grown cold
Cause this heart to praise you
Oh, my soul, put your hope in God
My Help, my Rock, I will praise Him
Sing, oh sing, through the raging storm
You’re still my God, my salvation
Should my life be torn from me
Every worldly pleasure
When all I possess is grief
God, be then my treasure
Be my vision in the night
Be my hope and refuge
Till my faith is turned to sight
Lord, my heart will praise You
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:
Proverbs 18:10
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe”
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 4: How and why did God create us?
Answer: God created us male and female in his own image to glorify him.