<<Download as a PDF>>
<<See previous weeks>>
THIS WEEK:
From the Sermon Exodus 20:7
Preacher: Pastor Rusten Harris
Scripture: Exodus 20:7
MAIN POINTS: 1) Taking the Name in Vain 2) The Life Lived in Vain 3) The Hallowing of the Name
God is not an anonymous God. The name of the LORD is the self-revelation of God. That’s why the 3rd commandment is so important. It addresses the HEART behind our worship because our hearts are prone to irreverence, self-deception, and hypocrisy.
Family Discussion Questions:
1. What’s something that surprised or confused you about this Bible passage?
2. How does our speech make known what is in our hearts?
3. What is “hypocrisy of the heart”?
4. How do the complacency and hypocrisy of Christians contribute to God’s name being mocked in a society or culture?
5. Read Matthew 6:9-10. Discuss this opening to the Lord’s Prayer and what it means. Recite the entire prayer together as a group/family.
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
- Matthew 5:13-16; 6:9-10; 22:37
- Exodus 3:14-15
- Luke 6:45
- Mark 8:35-38
- Acts 4:12
- Philippians 2:5-11
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:
SELF-EXISTENT - God is wholly independent from all things. He doesn’t need anything or anyone - God just is.
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 - Spend some time this week praying for God’s name to be hallowed in our community.
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:
This is the Day
This is the day that the Lord has made
We will rejoice as we lift His name
This is the day that the Lord has made
Come and rejoice, we will rejoice
and be glad in it
Whether the sun will shine
Whether the skies will rain
I know that You are good
And this is the day You made
Whether in life or death
Whether in joy or pain
I know this truth remains
That this is the day You made
Now I can walk in faith
You will protect my way
Your every work is good
And this is the day You made
I am a child of Yours
You are the One who saves
I am redeemed by love
And this is the day You made
This is the day
Come and sing your praise
For the Lord now reigns
On the throne of grace
Soon is the day
He will bring us home
And we have this hope
For we are His own
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:
Exodus 20:1-3“And God spoke all these words, saying, ‘I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.’”
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 37: How does the Holy Spirit help us?
Answer: The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, and he enables us to pray and to understand God’s Word.
