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THIS WEEK:

From the Sermon: Psalm 43

Preacher: Pastor Brandon Johnston
‍Scripture: Psalm 43

In Psalm 43, we see a man who’s heart is at odds with itself; he knows that God loves him, yet his life is filled with sorrow. How can those two things be true? As he remembers God’s steadfast love and persists in prayer, he realizes that his true joy can only be found in the presence of God himself. God is the source of all true joy, and even when life doesn’t feel joyful, our joy and hope in the Lord is unshaken because God is unshakable.

Family Discussion Questions:‍

1. What’s something that surprised or confused you about this Bible passage? (Look back at your Sermon Notes for help remembering!)
2. Have you ever felt like God has forgotten you or doesn’t listen to your prayers? How does that compare to what you know to be true about God?
3. When you feel abandoned by God, what can you do?
4. What are some Bible verses that talk about joy?
5. What does it mean that “Jesus reigns?” How does this truth lead our hearts to joy?
   

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 13:21-22
• Psalm 5:11; 16:11; 31:7-8; 34:1-2; 46:4-5; 96:11-13; 97:1
• John 7:37-38 

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:

JUST: God’s judgments are always righteous and good. God’s justice is perfect in every way. God exacts punishment where it is due and no sin goes without God’s judgment. 

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:

YOUR CHOICE: Do you have something on your heart you are praying about? Share it with your family! Take time to pray together for each person’s prayer idea. 

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.

Parent Tip:
We are making our way through the New City Catechism with a new question every month. You can practice catechism questions anytime throughout the day! For the complete list of questions, answers and songs, download the free app “New City Catechism” on your device.