Blog Posts by Tony Cho

Family Quest: The Hope – The Story of God’s Promise (Lesson 15)

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LESSON 15: JESUS CALLING

Throughout the ages since Jesus walked the earth many non-believers have tried to dismiss Jesus by saying such things as, “He was a teacher,” or “He was a powerful prophet.” Their goal in
making these statements is usually to deny the central claim of Christianity, namely that Jesus is God. But we shouldn’t shy away from these statements because they are in fact true. Jesus was a great teacher. The greatest teacher ever. A typical pastor preaches for 40 minutes today, but Jesus’ most famous sermon on the mount takes only about 15 minutes from beginning to end and is so profound that books have been written just about these few verses. Jesus wasn’t just a lecturer either. He was a “walk along the way” teacher, a disciple maker.

“And walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” And they immediately left the nets, and followed Him.”

Download Lesson 15

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ABOUT FAMILY QUEST: At Reston Bible Church, we firmly believe that parents are a child’s first and most important spiritual leader.  In order to support you that mission, we have created a parent devotional and some discussion starters to go along with each lesson your grade school age children are learning at Quest on Sundays. Our hope and prayer is that this material will help you to engage with your children around the topics they are learning on Sunday mornings, answer their questions, go deeper with them, and find real, day-to-day applications. We are honored to be able to partner with you in the critical task of sharing Christ with the next generation.

BABY QUEST: February Lessons

Baby QUEST is Reston Bible Church’s ministry to the youngest members of our Body.

Each month, we will feature a guide for your family to use with children ages 0-2. The guide includes follow up activities, a craft or sensory activity, recommended reading, a song, and other tips that are uniquely tailored to the development of infants and toddlers.

The guide follows the themes we are teaching in our nursery classes, giving you an opportunity to connect and reinforce the ideas taught at home. Because children this age need repetition, each activity can be done multiple times throughout the month to continue to press it upon your child’s memory as they grow!

This month, we’re focusing on the Creation story. Children will learn to identify God as the Creator and different things He created in the world around them–including themselves!

Big Idea:
God Made Everything!

Scripture Focus:
Genesis 1-2

Download the monthly guide

Family Quest: The Hope – The Story of God’s Promise (Lesson 14)

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LESSON 14: THE PROMISED ONE, PART 2

The practice of baptism as observed in this lesson had its roots in the washings that God instructed the Hebrew people to do for the purpose of purification (Leviticus 16:26, Leviticus 28, Leviticus 22:6, Numbers 19:7 and Numbers 19). Jesus, however, did not need to be purified. Perhaps this is why John, who knew Jesus from childhood, tried to prevent Jesus from being baptized and said to Him, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” (Matthew 3:14).

So if purification was unnecessary, what was the purpose of this baptism in the life of Jesus? Most theologians agree that at least three things were accomplished by this event: identification, anointing and confirmation. In regard to identification, many believe that Jesus, the One who came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17), was identifying with John’s call to
righteousness – to live according to the ways of God. Some, however, see yet another identification taking place in this event.

Download Lesson 14

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ABOUT FAMILY QUEST: At Reston Bible Church, we firmly believe that parents are a child’s first and most important spiritual leader.  In order to support you that mission, we have created a parent devotional and some discussion starters to go along with each lesson your grade school age children are learning at Quest on Sundays. Our hope and prayer is that this material will help you to engage with your children around the topics they are learning on Sunday mornings, answer their questions, go deeper with them, and find real, day-to-day applications. We are honored to be able to partner with you in the critical task of sharing Christ with the next generation.

Family Quest: The Hope – The Story of God’s Promise (Lesson 13)

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LESSON 13: THE PROMISED ONE, PART 1

The events associated with the birth of Jesus fulfilled numerous Old Testament prophecies given centuries before the events they described. Let’s take a look at some of these ancient proclamations.

Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” (Matthew 1:23)

In reference to the birth of Jesus, Matthew cited a specific prophecy from Isaiah made more than 700 years earlier.

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

Just as foretold, the virgin (Mary) indeed did conceive (Matthew 1:21) and bore a Son who is called Immanuel. This amazing event demonstrates God’s infinite knowledge and power. He is capable of foretelling the future with perfect precision, and He has the power to bring His prophecies to pass,even if t hat means a virgin would need to conceive and bear a Son.

Download Lesson 13

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ABOUT FAMILY QUEST: At Reston Bible Church, we firmly believe that parents are a child’s first and most important spiritual leader.  In order to support you that mission, we have created a parent devotional and some discussion starters to go along with each lesson your grade school age children are learning at Quest on Sundays. Our hope and prayer is that this material will help you to engage with your children around the topics they are learning on Sunday mornings, answer their questions, go deeper with them, and find real, day-to-day applications. We are honored to be able to partner with you in the critical task of sharing Christ with the next generation.

Family Quest: The Hope – The Story of God’s Promise (Section 1, Lesson 12)

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LESSON 12: CALLED TO WALK WITH GOD

…by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. – Romans 3:20

God promised that if the Hebrew people obeyed the Law they would be blessed, but if they disobeyed the Law they would be punished. We also saw that God, knowing the Hebrew people would not be able to fully and consistently keep the Law, provided a way to cover their sin through the offering of sacrifices.

But there is yet another important aspect of the Law we must consider. Many people have the idea that the Law was given as a means for man to be right with God. But the Bible is clear (Romans
3:20) that no person can gain right standing (be justified) with God by keeping the Law. Think about it. If we could keep the Law perfectly (although we can’t), we would still be infected with the sin which was passed down to every person through Adam (see Lesson 18). Sin separates man from God. Even if you had never sinned, the sin in you would still separate you from God.

Download Section 1, Lesson 12

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ABOUT FAMILY QUEST: At Reston Bible Church, we firmly believe that parents are a child’s first and most important spiritual leader.  In order to support you that mission, we have created a parent devotional and some discussion starters to go along with each lesson your grade school age children are learning at Quest on Sundays. Our hope and prayer is that this material will help you to engage with your children around the topics they are learning on Sunday mornings, answer their questions, go deeper with them, and find real, day-to-day applications. We are honored to be able to partner with you in the critical task of sharing Christ with the next generation.

BABY QUEST: January Lessons

Baby QUEST is Reston Bible Church’s ministry to the youngest members of our Body.

Each month, we will feature a guide for your family to use with children ages 0-2. The guide includes follow up activities, a craft or sensory activity, recommended reading, a song, and other tips that are uniquely tailored to the development of infants and toddlers.

The guide follows the themes we are teaching in our nursery classes, giving you an opportunity to connect and reinforce the ideas taught at home. Because children this age need repetition, each activity can be done multiple times throughout the month to continue to press it upon your child’s memory as they grow!

This month, we’re focusing on God’s love for your child through the story of Jesus and the children. Children will begin to learn that they are made in the image of God, how much God loves them, and the purpose God has for them individually in bringing Him glory.

Big Idea:
Jesus Loves Me

Scripture Focus:
Mark 10, Psalm 135:4

Download the monthly guide

Family Quest: The Hope – The Story of God’s Promise (Lesson 11)

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LESSON 11: PEOPLE OF THE PROMISE, PART 2

The Exodus would become the event that defined the people of Israel and their relationship with God. The Passover would become their most revered festival and continues in Jewish homes to this day. After watching the video this week and meditating on the scriptures we’ve listed, take some time to consider the parallels between Israel’s Exodus from slavery in Egypt and your own Exodus from slavery to sin. How did God show himself strong over the god’s that ruled your life before Christ? What path to salvation did He open that appeared to be closed. There are rich echoes of the first Exodus in our own. What obstacles did He overcome in your life?

Download Lesson 11

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ABOUT FAMILY QUEST: At Reston Bible Church, we firmly believe that parents are a child’s first and most important spiritual leader.  In order to support you that mission, we have created a parent devotional and some discussion starters to go along with each lesson your grade school age children are learning at Quest on Sundays. Our hope and prayer is that this material will help you to engage with your children around the topics they are learning on Sunday mornings, answer their questions, go deeper with them, and find real, day-to-day applications. We are honored to be able to partner with you in the critical task of sharing Christ with the next generation.