Thank You from Nicaragua
We are thankful that over 500 hundred bikes have been donated by RBCers in support of the Casa Bernabe orphanage in Nicaragua.
Thanks in part to your generosity, the orphanage has developed Nica Bikeshop, a thriving bicycle shop where orphans are discipled in Christ as they learn vocational skills like bike repair, sales and customer service. We recently received the photo above from some of the Nica Bikeshop workers – the sign reads, “Thank you RBC Friends. You are a blessing!”
We also received the message below from Cal Covert, our ministry contact for the bike donations. Cal is on the board of directors for NicaWorks, the non-profit organization that oversees the bike collection and many other aspects of care, support and ministry in Nicaragua.
The bike shop has provided opportunities for many Nicaraguans, including orphans and at-risk youth. It is now the largest bike shop in all of Nicaragua. RBC has played a vital role in donating more than 500 bikes to the ministry. The shop has been a tremendous opportunity to mentor young men and women who otherwise would have no hope of a future for themselves or their families. For example, Josh, the director of the bike shop is a recovering alcoholic. Last fall he looked me square in the eyes and said, “If it wasn’t for this business, I know I would be dead right now.” Not only has he pulled his life together, but he is in a strong walk with Jesus that he never had before. Josh meets with his Nicaraguan and American (via Skype) mentors at least once every week.
Thank you, RBC, for your continued generosity as we know Christ and make Him known in Northern Virginia and around the world!
Preparing for Sunday | November 13
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
Be Thou My Vision | [listen]
by: Eleanor Henrietta Hull, Mary Elizabeth Byrne (Arrangement: Ascend The Hill)
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
O Praise The Name | [listen + lyrics]
by: Benjamin Hastings, Dean Ussher, Marty Sampson
Romans 5:8
Jesus Is Better | [listen]
by: Aaron Ivey, Brett Land
This I Believe (The Creed) | [listen + lyrics]
by: Ben Fielding, Matt Crocker
Romans 1:16
Rejoice | [listen]
by: Dustin Kensrue, Stuart Townend
Philippians 4:4
SERMON TEXT
Ephesians 5:17 – 6:9
Preparing for Sunday | November 6
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
I Will Look Up | [listen]
by: Mack Brock, Chris Brown, Wade Joye, Matt Redman
But God | [listen]
by: Michael Bleecker, Hunter Hall, Lauren Chandler
Rejoice | [listen]
by: Dustin Kensrue, Stuart Townend
Only King Forever | [listen]
by: Chris Brown, Mack Brock, Steven Furtick, Wade Joye
Amazing Grace | [listen]
by: John Newton (1779)
SERMON TEXT
Romans 1:32
Judges 21:25
Preparing for Sunday – Green Room Sessions | October 30
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
Open Up The Heavens | [listen + lyrics]
by: Meredith Andrews, Stuart Garrard. James McDonald, Andi Rozier
Come To Me | [listen]
by: Elizabeth Akers, Jeff Capps, Michael Bleecker
This Is Amazing Grace | [listen + lyrics]
by: Josh Farro, Phil Wickham, Jeremy Riddle
Good Good Father | [listen]
by: Anthony Brown, Pat Barrett
Rejoice | [listen]
by: Dustin Kensrue, Stuart Townend
SERMON TEXT
Philippians 4:4-7
Sunday Rewind | 10.23.2016
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
YOUR LOVE NEVER FAILS (Romans 8:28)
Skinner, McClarney | Thankyou Music
FOREVER REIGN (Lamentations 5:19)
Ingram, Morgan | Hillsong Music Publishing
IN YOUR PRESENCE (Deuteronomy 31:6)
Brown, Williams, Gatch, Brock, Furtick, Joye | Elevation Worship Publishing
HOSANNA (Mark 11:9-10)
Ligertwood (Fraser) | Hillsong Music Publishing
CORNERSTONE (Psalm 18:2)
Mote, Morgan | Hillsong Music Publishing
TEACHING: The Hard Truth, Part 4
Spiritual food is greater than physical food. Learn, love and live the Word of God to reap the fruits thereof.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this Sunday?
- How important would you rate the Bible in the life of a Christ-follower?
- Read and discuss Matthew 4:1-11, Hebrews 4:12, and Psalm 119:1-24. What do these verses tell us about us? What do these verses tell us about God? What do you observe about the Scriptures from these verses? What other verses can you think of that directly teach us about the Word of God?
- Would you say you have an appetite for God and his Word? How does one develop or acquire this appetite?
- How is the Word of God a light for our path (Psalm 119:105)?
- How can we know the voice of God?
- What is one verse that has shaped your life in a profound way?
- How does the Holy Spirit and the Word of God work in tandem?
- Spend some time in prayer thanking God for the goodness of His Word. Ask Him to help you learn, love and live His Word.
Preparing for Sunday | October 23
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
Your Love Never Fails | [listen]
by: Chris McClarney, Anthony Skinner
Forever Reign | [listen]
by: Jason Ingram, Reuben Morgan
In Your Presence | [listen]
by: Mack Brock, Chris Brown, Steven Furtick, London Gatch, Wade Joye, Jane Williams
Hosanna | [listen]
by: Brooke Ligertwood
Cornerstone | [listen]
by: Eric Liljero, Reuben Morgan, Edward Mote, and Jonas Myrin
SERMON TEXT
Matthew 4:1-4
Sunday Rewind | 10.16.2016
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
GREAT THINGS (Isaiah 12:5)
Cartee, Furtick | Elevation Worship Publishing
UNSTOPPABLE GOD (Matthew 17:20)
Brown, Furtick, Joye | Sony/ATV Tree Publishing
BE THOU MY VISION (2 Corinthians 3:17-18)
Norsworthy, Hull, Byrne | Heartsong Music
BUT GOD (Ephesians 2:4-5)
Bleecker, Hall, Chandler | Bleecker Publishing
OUR GOD IS LOVE (1 John 4:9-10)
Houston, Ligertwood | Integrity Music
TEACHING: The Hard Truth, Part 3
Naked and ashamed, we are far more broken that we are willing to admit. Shame sculpts the soul and gives birth to fear. Only the gospel paves the way back.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this Sunday?
- Would you consider yourself a vulnerable person? Is it easy for you to open up to others? Why or why not?
- Read and discuss Genesis 2:25-3:13. What do these verses tell us about us? What do these verses tell us about God? What do you observe about shame from these verses?
- Share a time when you were ashamed. How does shame drive us away from vulnerability?
- How does shame “sculpt the soul” and give birth to fear? What does fear lead us to do? What kind of people does fear lead us to be?
- How do we hide from God, others and ourselves?
- In what ways do we tend to cover our brokenness? What are your go-to “fig leaves”?
- How does scripture provide us with a reference point through which to view ourselves, others, and the world?
- How does the gospel of Jesus call us out of shame, fear and self-atonement?
- Read and discuss Hebrews 12:1-2. What shame in your life do you need to despise? Where do you need to be vulnerable and honest with someone else? With yourself? With God? What is one step toward vulnerability that you can take in each of these areas? Spend some time in prayer in prayer about this and ask the members of your group to help you be accountable to take those steps.
Preparing for Sunday | October 16
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
Great Things | [listen]
by: Mack Brock, Chris Brown, Wade Joye
Unstoppable God | [listen]
by: Chris Brown, Steven Furtick, Wade Joye
Be Thou My Vision | [listen]
by: Eleanor Henrietta Hull, Mary Elizabeth Byrne; Arrangement: Ascend The Hill
But God | [listen]
by: Michael Bleecker, Hunter Hall, Lauren Chandler
Our God Is Love | [listen]
by: Joel Houston, Scott Ligertwood
SERMON TEXT
Genesis 3
Sunday Rewind | 10.9.2016
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
FOREVER (Revelation 17:14)
Pierce, Gifford, Wilson, Johnson, Taylor, Jobe | Bethel Music Publishing
HOW DEEP THE FATHER’S LOVE (Galatians 6:14)
Townend | Thankyou Music
GREAT THINGS (Isaiah 12:5)
Cartee, Furtick | Elevation Worship Publishing
O PRAISE THE NAME (Romans 5:8)
Hastings, Ussher, Sampson | Hillsong Music Publishing
NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD (Ephesians 2:13)
Lowry | Public Domain (Arrangement by Citizens and Saints)
GOOD GOOD FATHER (2 Thessalonians 2:16)
Brown, Barrett | Sixsteps Music
TEACHING: The Hard Truth, Part 2
You can’t see spiritual warfare, but you can observe its fruit.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this Sunday?
- Read and discuss John 8:42-47, Ephesians 6:10-20, Ephesians 2:1-9, 2 and 2 Corinthians 10:1-6. What do these verses tell us about us? What do these verses tell us about God?
- What do these scriptures tell us about spiritual warfare? How do they reveal something we otherwise would not know about?
- What do you think of when you hear the phrase “spiritual warfare”? Does this line up with what the scriptures reveal?
- What firsthand experience have you had with spiritual warfare?
- The world takes the truth it learns and either denies it or twists it. How have you observed this?
- What weapons of spiritual warfare does the enemy wield against us? What weapons of spiritual warfare do we have at our disposal?
- What is one specific area of spiritual warfare that you are currently struggling through? What weapon do you need to wield in this struggle? Spend some time in prayer together about this.
Preparing for Sunday | October 9
SONGS WE’LL BE SINGING TOGETHER
Forever | [listen]
by: Brian Johnson, Christa Black Gifford, Gabriel Wilson, Jenn Johnson, Joel Taylor, Kari Jobe
How Deep The Father’s Love For Us | [listen | lyrics]
by: Stuart Townend
Great Things | [listen]
by: Mack Brock, Chris Brown, Wade Joye
Good Good Father | [listen]
by: Anthony Brown, Pat Barrett
O Praise The Name | [listen + lyrics]
by: Benjamin Hastings, Dean Ussher, Marty Sampson
Nothing But The Blood | [listen + lyrics]
by: Robert Lowry, (1876)
SERMON TEXT
Ephesians 6