Value -- Create a Rhythm
Bottom Line -- God wants to be part of our everyday life.
Application -- God should be like the everyday dishes, not the fine china.
Don't forget you can also listen to this on the
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
May 1 in KidQuest and FirstLook
This is a weekly post that introduces you to what we are going to be teaching about in KidQuest and FirstLook this weekend. We pray by reading this that you receive some insight to the Bible story are are able to answer any questions that may arise in your home as you talk about God's Big Story with your kids. For other insights into talking to your kids at home check out our other Parent Resources.
KidQuest -- Jesus Shows Compassion
Jesus’ miracle of feeding about five thousand men, women, and children was a sign to the Jewish people that the Messiah had come. The miracle might have reminded them of God feeding His people through Moses and Elijah (in the wilderness and during famine) in Exodus 16 and 2 Kings 4. Because of this connection, they may have been thinking about the prophetic promise in Deuteronomy 18:18, which reads, “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth.” Jesus Himself said He is that prophet (John 5:46), and He is God. He is the Word incarnate, but they were not ready to receive Him (John 1:10–11).
Those who acknowledged Jesus was the Messiah also thought He would be a political figure. Because of this, they instantly wanted to make Jesus their king. Though they seemed to understand who Jesus was—the Messiah—the people did not fully understand what that meant. So Jesus had no choice but to retreat from them while they sought to “make him king by force” (John 6:15). Even so, He continued to teach them about Himself, God’s kingdom, and His purpose on earth. He continued to have compassion on these people who were “like sheep without a shepherd” (Mark 6:34).
The account of Jesus feeding the five thousand is recorded in all four gospels—each one an example of Jesus’ great compassion for the crowd. In each example, Jesus’ feeling of compassion is followed by an action.
In the original Greek language, the word for compassion is splagchnizomai. It comes from the word for the vital inner organs—the stomach, heart, lungs, spleen, liver, and kidneys. This means that when Jesus was moved with compassion, His inner being was stirred, compelling Him to act not just sympathize. Jesus shows us that compassion is more than a feeling. It is meant to be a catalyst to action.
How many times have we felt compassion and not followed God’s call to act on it? Pray God will give you the strength to respond the next time He calls you to have compassion. Pray also your kids would hear God calling them to follow Jesus’example and live a life full of compassion. Pray they will know compassion not only as a feeling, but as an action.
FirstLook -- God's Power Changes Everything
Throughout Scripture there are times when God chooses to display His mighty power. He intentionally makes Himself known and draws people to Himself. We see this clearly in the early days of the church when at Pentecost, the followers of Christ received the Holy Spirit. As they experienced God’s power alive within them, they did miracles in the name of Jesus. This new power is demonstrated in the miracle of Acts 3.
As Peter and John were walking into the temple, their eyes were diverted toward a crippled man begging for money. This man would not have been unfamiliar to them. As the Bible puts it, he was “laid daily at the gate of the temple” (3:2 ESV). The disciples must have walked past this man hundreds of times. However, this day was different: The Holy Spirit was prompting them. When Peter healed him in the name of Jesus, the man began leaping and praising God. The word “leaping” used in verse 8 is the Greek word hallomai. This word is rarely used in the Septuagint, or Greek Old Testament. Its use in Acts alludes to a messianic passage in Isaiah 35:
The prophet Isaiah was speaking of the coming messianic age: a promise established in the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus which will find completion at His second coming.
The use of rare words is significant in Jewish texts, bringing to mind the passage in Scripture where the word is first found. The author of Acts was intentional with the language and words he chose. By employing hallomai, he was cueing the audience that something major was to happen: God’s kingdom was at hand. The messianic age they had longed for was unfolding right before their eyes.
Today, as we wait expectantly for Christ’s second coming, we are also watching God’s kingdom unfold. We are called to ask, “What needs to be done?” By the guiding of the Holy Spirit, we play a part in the story. We can watch God’s power change everything.
In the Old Testament, the Israelites made a habit of reflecting on their past. It was a way to strengthen their faith. Looking back on history reminded the people of the almighty power of God. In times of struggle or doubt, remembrance allowed them to embrace the truth once again and act with boldness on behalf of the gospel.
Spend some time embracing this habit in your own life. Make a list of ways that God’s power has changed your life, or the lives of those close to you. Pray beforehand for God to bring to mind important memories.
When your listing of things begins to slow, take time to pray over them. Praise God for what He has done for you. Thank Him for being powerful and mighty to save you and restore your life. Celebrate His work!
KidQuest -- Jesus Shows Compassion
After the people saw the miraculous signs Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. (John 6:14–15)
Jesus’ miracle of feeding about five thousand men, women, and children was a sign to the Jewish people that the Messiah had come. The miracle might have reminded them of God feeding His people through Moses and Elijah (in the wilderness and during famine) in Exodus 16 and 2 Kings 4. Because of this connection, they may have been thinking about the prophetic promise in Deuteronomy 18:18, which reads, “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put my words in his mouth.” Jesus Himself said He is that prophet (John 5:46), and He is God. He is the Word incarnate, but they were not ready to receive Him (John 1:10–11).
Those who acknowledged Jesus was the Messiah also thought He would be a political figure. Because of this, they instantly wanted to make Jesus their king. Though they seemed to understand who Jesus was—the Messiah—the people did not fully understand what that meant. So Jesus had no choice but to retreat from them while they sought to “make him king by force” (John 6:15). Even so, He continued to teach them about Himself, God’s kingdom, and His purpose on earth. He continued to have compassion on these people who were “like sheep without a shepherd” (Mark 6:34).
The account of Jesus feeding the five thousand is recorded in all four gospels—each one an example of Jesus’ great compassion for the crowd. In each example, Jesus’ feeling of compassion is followed by an action.
In the original Greek language, the word for compassion is splagchnizomai. It comes from the word for the vital inner organs—the stomach, heart, lungs, spleen, liver, and kidneys. This means that when Jesus was moved with compassion, His inner being was stirred, compelling Him to act not just sympathize. Jesus shows us that compassion is more than a feeling. It is meant to be a catalyst to action.
How many times have we felt compassion and not followed God’s call to act on it? Pray God will give you the strength to respond the next time He calls you to have compassion. Pray also your kids would hear God calling them to follow Jesus’example and live a life full of compassion. Pray they will know compassion not only as a feeling, but as an action.
FirstLook -- God's Power Changes Everything
Throughout Scripture there are times when God chooses to display His mighty power. He intentionally makes Himself known and draws people to Himself. We see this clearly in the early days of the church when at Pentecost, the followers of Christ received the Holy Spirit. As they experienced God’s power alive within them, they did miracles in the name of Jesus. This new power is demonstrated in the miracle of Acts 3.
As Peter and John were walking into the temple, their eyes were diverted toward a crippled man begging for money. This man would not have been unfamiliar to them. As the Bible puts it, he was “laid daily at the gate of the temple” (3:2 ESV). The disciples must have walked past this man hundreds of times. However, this day was different: The Holy Spirit was prompting them. When Peter healed him in the name of Jesus, the man began leaping and praising God. The word “leaping” used in verse 8 is the Greek word hallomai. This word is rarely used in the Septuagint, or Greek Old Testament. Its use in Acts alludes to a messianic passage in Isaiah 35:
Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way;
say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, do not fear; your God will come,
he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution
he will come to save you.”
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. (vv. 3–6)
say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, do not fear; your God will come,
he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution
he will come to save you.”
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. (vv. 3–6)
The prophet Isaiah was speaking of the coming messianic age: a promise established in the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus which will find completion at His second coming.
The use of rare words is significant in Jewish texts, bringing to mind the passage in Scripture where the word is first found. The author of Acts was intentional with the language and words he chose. By employing hallomai, he was cueing the audience that something major was to happen: God’s kingdom was at hand. The messianic age they had longed for was unfolding right before their eyes.
Today, as we wait expectantly for Christ’s second coming, we are also watching God’s kingdom unfold. We are called to ask, “What needs to be done?” By the guiding of the Holy Spirit, we play a part in the story. We can watch God’s power change everything.
In the Old Testament, the Israelites made a habit of reflecting on their past. It was a way to strengthen their faith. Looking back on history reminded the people of the almighty power of God. In times of struggle or doubt, remembrance allowed them to embrace the truth once again and act with boldness on behalf of the gospel.
Spend some time embracing this habit in your own life. Make a list of ways that God’s power has changed your life, or the lives of those close to you. Pray beforehand for God to bring to mind important memories.
When your listing of things begins to slow, take time to pray over them. Praise God for what He has done for you. Thank Him for being powerful and mighty to save you and restore your life. Celebrate His work!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Easter Weekend
Easter weekend in children's ministry can be a very tricky thing.
It is so exciting to have so many new kids worship with us, but at the same time they typically have the background of the story of Jesus leading up to Easter weekend. So the question becomes how do you fit it all in.
Well this year in KidQuest and FirstLook, we are going to review the ENTIRE Big God Story. That's right we are going to start with Adam and Eve and tell the kids the rest of the Biblical narrative through the return of Christ.
To me it sounds overwhelming.
However, if this is the only time many kids are at church, it is the best time to expose them to God's Big Story so they just don't hear one part.
The Big God Story is so compelling, so inspiring, and so packed full of God’s overwhelming love for the people He created. The more I read Scripture in the mind-set and context of the bigger story, the more I am floored by how succinctly and miraculously God has woven His redemptive story throughout history. He has taken such care and love in telling His story exactly the way He wanted to tell it. Throughout His story, we see Him as a patient, long-suffering, kind, generous, sovereign, and loving God. We see that God brought His Son to earth exactly at the perfect moment, to be the perfect Redeemer.
The Big God Story is compelling proof of His love for us. I am amazed that I get to be a part of it. Because of this, God gently urges me to look outside of myself toward others and so I have 3 "House Rules: 1 -- Love God; 2 -- Love People; 3 -- Love Sports.
Because of this outlook in life, God's Spirit encourages me to ask the question, “What needs to be done in the Wentzville area?”
The answer: Share the good news of The Big God Story, which we all are a part of.
It is so exciting to have so many new kids worship with us, but at the same time they typically have the background of the story of Jesus leading up to Easter weekend. So the question becomes how do you fit it all in.
Well this year in KidQuest and FirstLook, we are going to review the ENTIRE Big God Story. That's right we are going to start with Adam and Eve and tell the kids the rest of the Biblical narrative through the return of Christ.
To me it sounds overwhelming.
However, if this is the only time many kids are at church, it is the best time to expose them to God's Big Story so they just don't hear one part.
The Big God Story is so compelling, so inspiring, and so packed full of God’s overwhelming love for the people He created. The more I read Scripture in the mind-set and context of the bigger story, the more I am floored by how succinctly and miraculously God has woven His redemptive story throughout history. He has taken such care and love in telling His story exactly the way He wanted to tell it. Throughout His story, we see Him as a patient, long-suffering, kind, generous, sovereign, and loving God. We see that God brought His Son to earth exactly at the perfect moment, to be the perfect Redeemer.
Because of this outlook in life, God's Spirit encourages me to ask the question, “What needs to be done in the Wentzville area?”
The answer: Share the good news of The Big God Story, which we all are a part of.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Serving
For the next 4 weeks, we will be using the life of Jesus to teach your kids about service. Here is the definition we have for what service means:
In this very first week we will all (even the adults) will be talking about Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus in John 3. In this account truth needed to be told. The truth is: Jesus came to save people, not to punish them. Through his death and resurrection, people would have new life; and only through God's Spirit can people truly become born again children of God. Through the rest of the chapter, Jesus asserts that being "born again" through baptism and into a new life is what is required to receive eternal life, not just believing in him.
But if we continue, we can see that following Jesus is not simply about just believing in him (even the demons do that). He wants our whole live; he wants all of who we are. That is the pure essence of why we serve others, to give Jesus all that we have.
I am looking forward to the next 4 weeks in KidQuest and FirstLook but the best thing of all about teaching your kids about service is a project we hope will engage your whole family and help you begin asking the question, "What needs to be done?"
From May 8-15 we would love for you to participate in what we are calling Families SERVE Experience. We are going to provide you with materials that will help guide your family into a week long serving experience. You will have times for family devotion and discussion and times to get out of your house and do a act of service in your neighborhood or community. Then on Sunday May 15, we will come together for our Family Effects service at 5:00 pm and share a meal together, have a time of family worship and share what God did through us in the past week! This is going to be a great experience and we don't want your family to miss out! The Families SERVE Experience packets will be available starting April 24.
This posture of the heart asks the question, "What needs to be done?" It allows the Holy Spirit to cultivate a sensitivity to others and focuses on a cause bigger than one individual life. It helps fulfill the mandate that as Christ followers we are to view our lives as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1-2) that we generously give away!
In this very first week we will all (even the adults) will be talking about Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus in John 3. In this account truth needed to be told. The truth is: Jesus came to save people, not to punish them. Through his death and resurrection, people would have new life; and only through God's Spirit can people truly become born again children of God. Through the rest of the chapter, Jesus asserts that being "born again" through baptism and into a new life is what is required to receive eternal life, not just believing in him.
But if we continue, we can see that following Jesus is not simply about just believing in him (even the demons do that). He wants our whole live; he wants all of who we are. That is the pure essence of why we serve others, to give Jesus all that we have.
I am looking forward to the next 4 weeks in KidQuest and FirstLook but the best thing of all about teaching your kids about service is a project we hope will engage your whole family and help you begin asking the question, "What needs to be done?"
From May 8-15 we would love for you to participate in what we are calling Families SERVE Experience. We are going to provide you with materials that will help guide your family into a week long serving experience. You will have times for family devotion and discussion and times to get out of your house and do a act of service in your neighborhood or community. Then on Sunday May 15, we will come together for our Family Effects service at 5:00 pm and share a meal together, have a time of family worship and share what God did through us in the past week! This is going to be a great experience and we don't want your family to miss out! The Families SERVE Experience packets will be available starting April 24.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Summer Camp 2011 -- High Hill Christian Camp
Here is a break down of the High Hill Christian Camp Schedule:
- remember the grades are grades going into in the 11/12 school year
- the first price is if you register before May 23
1-2 Grades -- $50/60
- Teddy Bear 1 -- June 3, 4
- Teddy Bear 2 -- July 29, 30
- First Chance -- July 10-12
- PreTeen 1 -- June 5-10 (this is during the church Drama camp)
- PreTeen 2 -- July 17-22 -- Matt will be the main speaker at this week
- Jr. High 1 -- June 19-24 -- Joe and Brian Harris will be at this week
- Jr. High 2 -- July 24-29
- Adventure Camp -- June 10-15
- High School -- June 12-17 (this is our VBS week)
- Boys Wilderness Camp -- 5-9 Grades -- June 12-15 -- $115/140
- Girls Wilderness Camp -- 5-9 Grades -- July 10-13 -- $115/140
- Sports Camp -- 6-12 Grades -- June 26-July 1 -- $195/220
- Moms & Daughters -- 3-12 Grades -- July 8, 9 -- $30/45 each
- M.A.D (Music, Arts & Drama) -- 6-12 Grades -- July 12-16 -- $155/180
- Extreme Adventure Camp -- 8-12 Grades -- July 22-27 -- $200/225
To find out more information about any particular camp week or to register, go to www.highhillcamp.org
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