Foster Care “Fill-a-Bag” Update
When children come into foster care, they are often removed from their homes in an emotional and chaotic scene.
Their biological families pack their belongings in whatever bags they may have handy, including garbage bags. Sometimes, families don’t have any large bags to give children to carry their things, as many of these children come from low income families. Many times children come into foster care with nothing that first night. To have a bag of their own, filled with items that are just for them as they enter a world that is not their own, can offer a small but powerful comfort.
This was the challenge that we presented to our body back in January. Let us be the hands and feet of Christ by providing shiny new duffel bags filled with the necessities that a child whose world has just been turned upside down would need, plus some extra goodies so they would feel valued and loved. We can’t measure the effect that holding a teddy bear that will be theirs to keep would have on a child that first night away from the only home they have every known.
We are grateful to God that our people are a generous people and embraced this opportunity to love a child they will probably never meet. We had over 200 bags donated, which filled two 15-passenger vans. The bags will be distributed to several local foster care agencies and will meet a tremendous need.
Sunday Rewind | 2.23.2014
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Relentless – Zion Acoustic Sessions by Hillsong United
In Your Presence (Deuteronomy 31:6) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Open Up Our Eyes (Ephesians 1:18-19a) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies) (Psalm 27:1) – Let The Future Begin by Chris Tomlin (Passion)
Christ Is Enough (2 Corinthians 12:9) – Glorious Ruins by Hillsong
Your Love Never Fails (Romans 8:28) – Your Love Never Fails by Jesus Culture
TEACHING: Philippians – A Journey Toward Humble Joy, Part 13
When we believe a lie, we will perpetuate that lie. We need the “therapy” of the Word of God to renew our minds to right thinking.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- If you had to give a one-sentence synopsis of this message, what would you say?
- Read and discuss Philippians 4:8-9. Why do you think Paul includes this section in his letter to the Philippians?
- Paul says to “think on these things.” What specifically is he calling us to think upon? Do you naturally tend to think on these things? Why or why not?
- What opposition do you find to putting your mind to the things Paul prescribes?
- Read Romans 12:1-2 and John 8:31-32. How does truth set free? What does it mean to have a renewed mind? How are they connected? What role does the Word of God have in renewing our minds?
- Pastor Mike gave three examples of “incomplete truths” the world presents in defining certain words – success, genius, and looks (or beauty). How does the world system tend to define these terms? Is there a contrast between how scripture defines those words?
- What other words does the world system define in ways that are incomplete or contradictory to the scriptures? What are the implications or consequences of buying into a faulty definition of these terms?
- How is the gospel of Christ “therapy” for our minds? Spend some time in prayer thanking God for the blessing and provision of the gospel.
Update: Daddy-Daughter Dance
It’s a very special night, the Daddy Daughter Valentine’s Dance. RBC is transformed into a magical place where little girls and their Daddies create lifelong memories. For the past five years, I have helped my daughter prepare for this much-anticipated event. We shop for dresses, try on shoes, curl hair and paint nails. She comes down the staircase and joins her Daddy for a quick photo shoot, and then off they go. This year, however, my daughter was past the age of being able to attend so she asked if she could serve. As we left for the dance, my husband said goodbye in a difficult moment where we gave each other that “she’s-growing-up-too-fast” look.
The theme of this year’s dance was Enchantment Under the Sea. A treasure map led Dads and Daughters through an undersea world with something special to encounter at every turn, including seafaring crafts, treats, and decorations and plenty of dancing.But the most wonderful thing about the evening was watching the interactions. I did not see Dads absorbed in conversations with one other or checking their phones or watches. Rather, I saw dapper Dads proudly hoisting their girls into their laps for a picture. I saw Dads elbow-deep in glitter creating pretty crafts. I saw Dads enjoying ice cream sundaes and clam cookies complete with a candy “pearl.” I saw a sea of Dads on the dance floor clapping to the chicken dance and cradling their girls in their arms to songs that remind them how precious and short the time is. It was a beautiful night.
Amid the enchantment, I saw little girls whose self-esteem soared. Little girls who felt so loved as their Dad fully engaged with them and entered into their world. Little girls who looked up to their Dads proudly. Bravo to all of you Dads who came and gave the gift of making your daughters feel like the most special little girls on the earth (or under the sea.)
– Vickie Wennemark, Family Ministry Assistant
TRAIL GUIDE: Something Stinks
The “Trail Guide” devotional is used by our adult leaders of grade school groups in Quest as a way to prepare their hearts and minds for the topics we will be covering with the children on the weekend. We have made them available here to help our parents of grade-schoolers engage with their children around the topics we are discussing and also for anyone else that might be blessed by following along.
SPOTTER, LESSON 2: God is Faithful to Forgive
Ben Franklin is quoted as saying, “Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days.” I think the same thing could be said about sin. If we attempt to hide sin, to cover it up, to “regard” it in our hearts, it is only a matter of time before it will begin to stink up the place. Numbers 32:23 tells us that we can be sure that our “sin will be discovered. It will be brought out into the open.” In Hebrews 4:13 we are reminded that “Nothing God created is hidden from Him. His eyes see everything. He will hold us accountable for everything we do.”
So how does sin begin to stink? King David, the subject of our case study, gives us detailed insight into the very real physical effects of un-confessed sin in the life of a believer. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. (Psalm 32:3-4)
Only when David, after being confronted by Nathan, recognizes his sin for what it is and despises it as God does, does he find forgiveness. Then I admitted my sin to you. I didn’t cover up the wrong I had done. I said, “I will admit my lawless acts to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. (Psalm 32:5)
Belonging to Christ involves a change of mind, the adoption of a new worldview in which sin is seen through the eyes of God for what it is. Confession begins with seeing and hating our sin. Don’t let sin be a guest in your house.
“Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days.” -Ben Franklin
MEDITATING ON THE WORD:
Psalm 32:3-5, 38:18, 139:23-24
Numbers 32:23
Proverbs 28:13
Sunday Rewind | 2.16.2014
TEACHING: Untouchable
We have people we don’t want to be around. That’s natural. But is it right? Jason Goetz teaches from Mark 5 on how Jesus went out of His way to reach out to untouchables.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing from this message you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to grasp?
- Are there specific individuals or types of people that you consider “untouchable”? Why?
- Read and discuss Mark 5:21-43. What characteristics of Jesus do you observe in these verses? Who are the other characters in this section? What characteristics to you observe about them? What stands out to you in this account?
- What is the Law of Defilement? How did Jesus break this law?
- What was the significance of clean/unclean and why was it a big deal in Jewish culture?
- How does the gospel make the unclean clean?
- How does the gospel both call and enable us to reach out to those we may consider “untouchable”?
- What “untouchable” people has God put in your life? How can you reach out to them this next week? Spend some time in prayer with your small group about these areas.
TRAIL GUIDE: Confession
The “Trail Guide” devotional is used by our adult leaders of grade school groups in Quest as a way to prepare their hearts and minds for the topics we will be covering with the children on the weekend. We have made them available here to help our parents of grade-schoolers engage with their children around the topics we are discussing and also for anyone else that might be blessed by following along.
SPOTTER, LESSON 1: God is Faithful to Forgive
Confess (v): “to say the same thing about” (Greek – homologéō) “to make known, declare, tell.” (Hebrew – Yada)
To confess a sin is to uncover it and call it exactly what God calls it. Effective confession must be accompanied by the willingness and desire to turn away from it. Having a “change of mind” about the sin (repentance).
The pattern we see with King David in his sin against God with Bathsheba, the murder of Uriah, the attempt at hiding those sins, the physical results of that attempt, and his subsequent confession in Psalm 51, serves as a case study for God’s promise of forgiveness.
Over the next several weeks, we will walk with our students through the hard truth that even David, a “man after God’s own heart,” failed the test and sinned against heaven. Were it not for God’s promise of forgiveness, this reality could cause us to lose all hope of ever being useful in the hands of our Lord. But the truth is that our God is faithful to forgive for the sake of his own Name and because He is, we can say to God, just as David did, “Let me hear you say, “Your sins are forgiven.” (Psalm 51:8)
“He will do it through Jesus Christ our Lord.” -Romans 7:25a
MEDITATING ON THE WORD:
1 John 1:5-10
Romans 7:7-25
Psalm 51
Sunday Rewind | 2.9.2014
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
O Worship The King (Psalm 145:9-10) – Hymns Ancient & Modern by Chris Tomlin (Passion)
With Us (Psalm 46:10-11a) – God Is Able by Hillsong
Christ Is Enough (2 Corinthians 12:9) – Glorious Ruins by Hillsong
The Solid Rock (Psalm 18:2) – Original Arrangement
I Stand Amazed (2 Corinthians 8:9) – North Point Live by Candi Shelton (North Point)
TEACHING: The Vertical Life
Because of God’s perfect, unchanging nature, we can trust Him in any circumstance. He will never, never leave us nor never, never forsake us. Pastor Tony Pedroni teaches from Joshua 1 on living life vertically.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What is something from this message you hope to discuss as a group?
- Do you have times when it is difficult to trust God? Why or why not?
- Read and discuss Joshua 1:1-9. What characteristics of God do you observe in these verses? How do these show the beauty of God?
- Read through Hebrews 13. What promises does God make to His people? What impact should these promises have in our daily lives?
- What other promises from Scripture can you think of that God makes? How are these a comfort to you?
- “God’s main encouragement is Himself.” Have you observed this to be true? How?
- In what ways might our definition of prosperity and success be different from God’s? How do you think God defines prosperity and success?
- How can we trust that God’s commands to us are good? How does the Gospel enable, encourage and uphold trust in God?
- Where in your life do you have the tendency to think horizontally? What would it look like for you to think vertically in that area or areas? Spend some time in prayer with your small group about these areas.
Sunday Rewind | 2.2.2014
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Closer (Psalm 89:14-15) – Glorious Ruins by Hillsong
Our God Is Love (1 John 4:9-10) – A Beautiful Exchange by Hillsong
Be Thou My Vision (2 Corinthians 3:17-18) – Cathedral by HEARTSONG
Jesus Paid It All (Colossians 2:13-14) – North Point Live by Kristian Stanfill (North Point)
In Christ Alone (Galatians 2:20) – Let The Future Begin by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)
TEACHING: Philippians: A Journey Toward Humble Joy, Part 12
Is the command to “not be anxious about anything” reasonable or realistic?
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What is one thing from this message that you found particularly helpful, insightful, or difficult to grasp?
- Do you feel you are an anxious person by nature? What do you tend to worry most about? Why?
- Read and discuss Philippians 4:4-7 and Matthew 6:25-34. What do you observe about the person of Christ from these verses? What do you see about the nature of man? Are there any commands or precepts to be followed in these verses?
- What is the difference between concern and anxiety?
- Is the command to “not be anxious about anything” (Phil. 4:6) reasonable or realistic? Why?
- Why do we tend to hope in results instead of in the Lord?
- How does the gospel empower us to be anxious for nothing? How does the gospel comfort us when we are anxious anyway?
- Is there a situation or circumstance you are currently dealing with where you are “borrowing into tomorrow’s worries”? What would it look like for you to submit those worries to Christ? Spend some time in prayer for this.
Daddy Daughter Valentine Dance
Each year, the Daddy Daughter Dance steps fully into the spotlight for 120 girls and their dads who enjoy a night brimming with classy dress, sweet treats, and crafts galore. It’s a special break away from sweatpants and homework helpers towards a focus on relationship. Hear what we heard after the Dance in 2013 and consider this opportunity to join us.
Awesome job and awesome event! Literally the best event and time Savannah and I have shared together. In asking her for her favorite part, her response was, “All of it!” – Chad Baker (Dad)
You guys rock. Awesome event, as always; this was the best one yet, which is hard to believe because past years were awesome too. – Jeff Henshaw (Dad)
Thank you for putting so much effort into this event. The Dance is so special for the Fathers and daughters. Memories being created that are priceless and will last forever. – Leta Hershey (Craft Volunteer)
One of the most memorable nights I have ever had with my oldest daughter. – Anonymous Dad
This year’s Dance – themed Enchantment Under the Sea – will take place on Saturday, February 8 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. The evening will be filled with a dinner date with dad, games, arts and crafts, yummy dessert, a photo with your daughter, and of course dancing!
The Dance is open to any young lady between 1st and 5th grade. Space is limited – so be sure to register early! Get information and register at www.restonbible.org/valentine.
Sunday Rewind | 1.26.2014
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Be Lifted High (John 3:30) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
In Your Presence (Deuteronomy 31:6) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
10,000 Reasons (Psalm 103:1) – Unrelenting Love by Nick Thurmond
Christ Is Enough (2 Corinthians 12:9) – Glorious Ruins by Hillsong
Always (Psalm 121:1-2) – Here For You by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)
TEACHING: Philippians: A Journey Toward Humble Joy, Part 11
Conflict is a given as we go through life – even amongst those who labor for the gospel.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- If you had to give this sermon in one sentence, what would you say?
- How often do you feel the strain of conflict in your life? How do you tend to deal with conflict?
- Read and discuss Philippians 4:1-9. What do you observe about the person of Christ from these verses? What do you see about the nature of man? Are there any commands or precepts to be followed in these verses? What do you observe about the conduct Christ-followers should have?
- What does it mean to “agree in the Lord” (v. 2)?
- What does Paul do in these verses to address a conflict between two people who have labored in the Gospel? Based on how Paul deals with this conflict,, what practical steps can you put into practice to deal with conflicts?
- How does the presence or absence humility play into peacemaking or conflict resolution?
- How does the gospel of Jesus Christ give context to any given conflict? How does the gospel encourage and enable us to seek resolution and peace?
- Is there a situation or circumstance you are currently dealing with where you need to “agree in the Lord” with someone, or encourage others to “agree in the Lord”? Spend some time in prayer for this and give a report to your small group the next time you meet.