Family Quest: The Hope – Promised One, Part 2
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet he did not sin.” – Hebrews 4:15
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.
In baptism, Jesus was not only identifying with God in regard to His righteousness, He was identifying with you and me in our need for righteousness. Jesus came to offer Himself as our substitute in fulfilling the righteous requirements of God. This substitution began with His baptism and was completed at the cross.
The anointing in this event comes as the Spirit descends upon Jesus as a dove (Matthew 3:16). An anointing is an empowering from God to accomplish a specific mission. Jesus is about to step into three years of public ministry, culminating in an unparalleled act of suffering and sacrifice in order to conquer Satan, sin, and death. Jesus was anointed for this very purpose.
– Read more in The HOPE Project online study guide
Let’s help the children see this week how Jesus came to win the battle against Satan, sin, and death that Adam had lost.
BIG IDEA: Jesus fulfilled the whole law for us.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THIS WEEK’S VIDEO
MEDITATING ON THE WORD:
Malachi 3:1
Matthew 3:1-4:11
1 Peter 2:22
Hebrews 7:26
SECTION VERSES:
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet he did not sin.” – Hebrews 4:15
LESSON VERSE:
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6
PRAYER:
Thank God that he laid down his glory, his power, and his life to become one of us, and fulfill the law for us.
DISCUSSION STARTERS:
- What did John call Jesus?
- Why did he call Jesus that?
- Why was Jesus baptized?
- Why did Jesus go to the desert?
- Define “tempt.”
LIVE IT OUT!
- Pray together
- Read Matthew 3 – 4:11
- Think of someone in your neighborhood you can bless this week and do it in Jesus’ name!
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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.
Sing Ye Noel – Sharing the Gospel in Song
This past Sunday evening a group of more than 60 adults and children from our congregation came together to bless the neighborhood behind the church with a gift of Christmas carols.
Before heading out we stopped for a moment and prayed together, “Lord, we thank you that for Jesus and the good news of His coming. We thank you that we can sing of the joy we have in Him. We ask that you would use our simple gift of song tonight to touch someone who needs to hear from you. Amen.” At that we started off. How could we have known that our prayer would be answered at the very first house at which we sang. We received the following email that very same evening from that neighbor.
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To you carolers at Reston Bible:
Y’all came caroling through the Cascades Park neighborhood tonight. You rang my doorbell, and I opened the garage door and came and sang with you. I’m a believer, also, and your caroling was a warm reminder of Christmas. Thank you for coming! I thought you’d be encouraged by this:
Your caroling was a catalyst to me sharing my testimony with my roommate. I’ve been a believer for years, and lived with this guy for years. But I’ve always been hesitant to talk about Christ with him. When you came caroling, I went upstairs, joyful in the Spirit, and spent the next two hours talking with him about my testimony, which I hope will be the first of many conversations.
Thank you for spreading Christ’s love and message through song. You have effects that you’re not aware of, and I want to give you a glimpse of one of those effects while at the same time saying, “Thank you!” Glory to Christ the King!”
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May the Lord use you as an instrument of His love this Christmas and always!
A Note from Dr. Tim Kimmel
We just can’t wait to have Dr. Tim Kimmel at our RBC Marriage Conference next month! Here is a note from Dr. Kimmel that tells you a little more about the time we’ll spend together.
Don’t forget to register before Christmas to save an extra $10!
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Hi RBC Couples!
I’m so excited to be with you for the Grace Filled Marriage event at the end of January! I can’t wait to tell you about the secret ingredient that can radically improve your marriage. I’ll teach you how to super-charge your communication, conflict resolution, spiritual connection and sex life with the pivotal quality that so many loving marriages lack…GRACE!
This Christmas, give your spouse and family a gift that will echo long into the future! Investing in your marriage is a gift to your spouse and yourself, but don’t forget that having a lasting, healthy marriage is the ultimate gift to your kids and grandkids. So much of their future success, happiness, relationships and spiritual journey rises or falls on the legacy your marriage leaves for them. A grace-filled marriage will change yourworld and theirs for good!
Hope to see you there!
Tim
Family Quest: The Hope – Promised One, Part 1
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6
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 that means a virgin would need to conceive and bear a Son.
Just as foretold, Bethlehem is the birthplace of the Christ: “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.” (Matthew 2:6; cf. Micah 5:2; John 7:42)
Most importantly, God’s chosen Messiah, in order to fulfill the roles of perfect Prophet, perfect High Priest, and perfect King, could only be God himself in sinless human flesh. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14)
Let’s point the children to God’s power and perfection in bringing his plan to pass just as the scriptures foretold, and how only He could fulfill all expectations of the coming Messiah.
BIG IDEA: The promised deliverer was God himself.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THIS WEEK’S VIDEO
MEDITATING ON THE WORD:
Matthew 1:18-25
Matthew 2
Luke 1-2
SECTION VERSES:
“I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” – Genesis 12:3
LESSON VERSE:
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6
PRAYER:
Thank God for his Word and for sending Jesus to fulfill all of His promises.
DISCUSSION STARTERS:
- What does the name Yeshua mean?
- What is prophecy?
- How did Jesus’ birth fulfill prophecy?
- Why did the deliverer have to be without sin?
LIVE IT OUT!
- Invite a friend to Quest
- Begin setting aside an offering for the Missionary of the year.
- Think of someone you can bless and do it!
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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.
RBC Marriage Conference – Grace-Filled Marriage with Dr. Tim Kimmel
If you are married or engaged, we have a special event you don’t want to miss!
Maybe you’d like to turn your good marriage into a great marriage. Maybe you’re in a struggling marriage and need help and hope. Maybe you’re about to begin the journey of marriage and desire to set out in the right direction.
If so, come and learn how to make love work, by adding the secret-sauce that many marriages are missing…GRACE! Bestselling author and speaker, Dr. Tim Kimmel, will be here for Reston Bible Church’s annual Marriage Conference on January 22 and 23 to host Grace Filled Marriage…Making Love that Lasts!
Packed full of fun and insight, Dr. Kimmel will encourage us to see our spouses through fresh eyes, ignite our intimacy, fight fair and bring the best out of each other. Don’t miss this opportunity to improve your marriage as we begin the new year!
Bridget and I would like to invite you to join us at this great upcoming marriage event! We’d also like to encourage you to take the opportunity to stay overnight at the beautiful Hilton Hilton DoubleTree at our discounted rate. You can choose to stay in-between the Friday night and Saturday morning conference sessions or for the entire weekend. It’s a great opportunity to disconnect and relax without the travel. We hope to see you there!
The cost of the Marriage Conference is $45 per couple. Register here by Christmas Day to receive a $10 discount. Hotel accommodations for one or both nights can be made through this Conference Registration as well.
Thank You from Guilford Elementary
We want so give a huge THANK YOU to all who donated of their time and resources to make the Guilford Elementary School’s Community Thanksgiving Dinner a huge success. Our congregation donated over 90 pies and 1000 servings of stuffing. We also had 12 volunteers who helped serve the families by pouring drinks and carrying trays for moms with lots of small children. This was the largest Thanksgiving Dinner that Guilford has hosted to date, with over 900 people enjoying traditional North American Thanksgiving foods, many for the first time. Parents who often don’t have the resources to feed their families an abundant meal like this were truly grateful. We are thankful for you, our generous congregation and our faithful God who allows us to serve these families and staff at Guilford Elementary.
RBC Annual Report 2015
“I will remember the deeds of the LORD, I will ponder all Your work and meditate on your mighty deeds.” – Psalm 77:11-12
Our Annual Report is not a list of our accomplishments, but rather a recounting of some of the great things God has done in us, for us and through us over the past year.
The 2015 Annual Report is available in print format at the Welcome Desk in the church lobby, or you read through the online version here. You can also click here to download a PDF.
We hope you’ll take some time to read through it, remember the mighty deeds of our great God, and be moved to deeper gratitude and trust in our great Savior.
Sunday Rewind | 12.13.2015
VIDEO ANNOUNCEMENTS
During Sunday worship services, we want to spend less time making announcements and more time worshiping. To help facilitate that, we’ll show a brief video announcement segment 4-5 minutes before each service begins. Grab an early seat just before your service begins so you can take advantage of these pre-service announcements. We’ll also post them here on the Sunday Rewind each week.
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
All Creation Sing (Joy To The World) (Psalm 96:12-13a) – North Point Christmas by Seth Condrey (North Point)
O Come All Ye Faithful (John 1:14) – Christ Is Come by Big Daddy Weave
Alive in Us (Ephesians 2:4-5) – God is Able by Hillsong Worship
I Will Look Up (Deuteronomy 7:9) –Only King Forever by Elevation Worship
With Us (Psalm 46:10-11a) – God Is Able by Hillsong Worship
TEACHING: James – Living Out Our Faith, Part 9
The moral law is a judge. The royal law is a guide.
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 sermon?
- Read and discuss James 2:8-13. What do these verses tell us about us? What do they tell us about God? What encouragements, warnings or commands are here for us to heed?
- What is the moral law of scripture? Why does Paul call it “the law of righteousness” (Romans 3:21)?
- “To violate any part of the moral law is to violate all of it.” Why? What are the implications of this?
- What is the “royal law” (v. 8)?
- It what ways is the royal law “easy to understand, but hard to believe”? How should we live this law out in speech & action?
- What is mercy? What does the gospel of Jesus demonstrate for us about mercy? How does mercy triumph over judgement?
- Share a time when you received mercy. Is there someone to whom you need to show mercy?
- How is Christ the both the end to the moral law and the fulfillment of the royal law?
- Spend some time in prayer thanking God for the mercy we have in Jesus Christ. Ask Him to reveal to you if there is someone to whom you need to show mercy instead of judgement. Pray for the faith to step out in obedience in showing mercy.
Family Quest: The Hope – Called to Walk
“The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.” Psalm 19:7
CALLED TO WALK IN THE WAYS OF 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.
As we study the Bible, we learn that the Law is like a mirror – for both God and man. In the Law, we see a true reflection of God’s character. That reflection reveals that God is holy and righteous. But in the Law, we also see a true image of ourselves. Our inability to keep the Law reveals our inadequacy, for the Law clearly reveals that we do not measure up to God’s standard of holiness and righteousness. Something in us prevents us from measuring up, and according to Romans 3:20, that something is sin. A mirror can be helpful to show you if your face needs washing. But it cannot be used to wash your face. No one in their right mind would take a mirror and rub it on their face to remove dirt. That requires a cleansing agent such as soap. So it is with the Law. The Law reveals sin, but it is not a cleansing agent. It cannot cleanse us from sin, but it can show us our need to be cleansed. It can create a sense of need for the promised Deliverer, the only One who can take away sin!
– Read more in the HOPE Project online Study Guide
BIG IDEA: God’s perfect law protects us and reveals our imperfection.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THIS WEEK’S VIDEO
MEDITATING ON THE WORD:
Exodus 20
Deuteronomy 30
Romans 3:23
Romans 6:23
SECTION VERSES:
“I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” – Genesis 12:3
LESSON VERSE:
“The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.” Psalm 19:7
PRAYER:
Thank God for his gift of the Law which shows us our need of him, and for Jesus who empowers us to obey God.
DISCUSSION STARTERS:
- Why did Moses go to Mount Sinai?
- What did he get there? From whom?
- Why did God give us the 10 commandments?
- Were the Hebrew people able to keep God’s law perfectly? Are you?
LIVE IT OUT!
- Make an appointment to spend 15 minutes each day this week just being quiet and thinking about God and reading your verses.
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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.
Sunday Rewind | 12.6.2015
VIDEO ANNOUNCEMENTS
During Sunday worship services, we want to spend less time making announcements and more time worshiping. To help facilitate that, we’ll show a brief video announcement segment 4-5 minutes before each service begins. Grab an early seat just before your service begins so you can take advantage of these pre-service announcements. We’ll also post them here on the Sunday Rewind each week.
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Be Lifted High (John 3:30) –Nothing is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Our King Has Come (Romans 5:1-2) – For The Honor by Elevation Worship
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Luke 2:9-10) – North Point Christmas by Eddie Kirkland (North Point)
Be Thou My Vision (2 Corinthians 3:17-18) – Cathedral by Heartsong
TEACHING: Reconciliation – Crossing Thresholds
Racial reconciliation happens in the seats, not in the pulpit. You must walk with people who are different in order to love them.
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 sermon?
- Read and discuss Acts 10. What do these verses tell us about us? What do they tell us about God? What encouragements, warnings or commands are here for us to heed?
- What examples of ethnic discrimination do you see in these verses? How is it resolved?
- How does our own hypocrisy keep us from crossing ethnic thresholds?
- What is the role of prayer in racial reconciliation?
- “You must walk with people who are different than you in order to understand and love them.” Have you found this to be true? What examples have you seen of this?
- How can you reach out to those who don’t like you, or whom you don’t like? What is one way you can you be intentional to cross racial/ethnic thresholds in your life?
- How does the gospel of Jesus Christ empower us to cross ethnic thresholds? How did Jesus walk with people who were different than Him? What must our response be to His example?
- Spend some time in prayer, thanking God that He walks with us in Christ. Ask Him to enable you with gospel-powered grace and wisdom to intentionally cross ethnic/racial thresholds in your spheres of influence.