Brazil Mission 2013
Every year since 2007, teams from Northern Virginia have been visiting the community of Benevides, Brazil, working with a ministry called Creative Hands. Creative Hands works with families living near a landfill.
Mission
Our mission is to support the ministry of Creative Hands through community service projects and the gathering of material they can use throughout the year.
Description
This year, the team will be working to build two houses for two families in the community.
In addition, the team will host a week of day camp for families to attend. During the week of camp, we’ll offer soccer clinics, sports activities, arts and crafts, workshops, and vocational courses. Our hope is to provide a safe and warm environment for families to grow both as individuals and as a unit. We desire to encourage them in the love of Christ.
General Information
One group of team members will be in Brazil from June 28 to July 7, where they will be hosting family camp and constructing a house. From the 7th to the 16th, a second group will be constructing a second home.
Help with supplies
If you’d like to financially contribute to camp and building supplies for this trip, you can give online. Be sure to designate “Brazil Building/Camp Supplies.” You can also drop a check in an offering box at church, with “Brazil Supplies” in the memo line.
Sunday Rewind | 5.26.2013
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Alive In Us (Ephesians 2:4-5) – God Is Able by Hillsong
As It Is In Heaven (Psalm 96:1-3) – Overflow by Matt Maher
Forever Reign (Lamentations 5:19) – Forever Reign by Hillsong Chapel
Majesty (Isaiah 53:5) – Majesty: The Worship EP by Leeland
I Lift My Hands (Psalm 46:10) – And If Our God Is For Us… by Chris Tomlin
TEACHING: The Prodigal Son, Part 1
The prodigal son is a well-known parable that tells us the story of our lives – but not in the way you might think. Pastor Mike begins a series that will look at the grace-filled intricacies of this amazing parable.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What is one thing from this teaching that you hope to discuss as a group?
- Read and discuss Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15. Does anything bother you about this parable?
- What is Jesus commanding, teaching or implying in this parable regarding how to live the Christian life?
- Who is Jesus’ audience as He tells this parable, and why is that important for us to consider?
- Identify the main characters in this parable. In what way(s) can you relate to each of them? Where do you see yourself in this story?
- How does the gospel apply to “younger brothers”? How does the gospel apply to “elder brothers”?
- Is there a situation or relationship in your life where you need to reach out in grace, as the father in this parable did? What would it look like to apply the parable of the prodigal to that situation or relationship? Spend some time in prayer about this.
VIDEO: Host Team – People, Not Puppets
Interested in serving at Reston Bible Church? We are now accepting volunteers for our Host Team – the group of volunteers who serve on Sunday mornings as Ushers, Greeters, Welcome Desk, Coffee, and Parking Attendants. The Host Team helps make our worship services inviting & welcoming, and we are always looking for people to serve. Emphasis on people.
For more information or to volunteer to serve, contact Kemper DeGroot at kemperdegroot@restonbible.org or look online at www.restonbible.org/resources/volunteer.
Sunday Rewind | 5.19.2013
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Sing, Sing, Sing (Psalm 47:6-7) – Hello Love by Chris Tomlin
In Your Presence (Deuteronomy 31:6) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
In Christ Alone (Galatians 2:20) – Let The Future Begin by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)
Agnus Dei (Revelation 5:12) – Original Arrangement
TEACHING: Impact, Part 2
God has sovereignly given every believer spiritual gifts to use for the good of His people and the advancement of His kingdom. What would it look like for you to “fan the flame” of your gifts for the glory of God?
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What is one thing from this teaching that you hope to discuss as a group?
- Read and discuss Romans 12:1-8. What do you observe about the nature of God? What do you observe about man?
- What do these verses command, teach or imply regarding how to live the Christian life?
- What spiritual gifts does Paul list in these verses? What other spiritual gifts can you think of from Scripture?
- In what way(s) do you feel God has spiritual gifted you? What area(s) of your life do see an intersection of passion and ability?
- Do you feel that you are using or neglecting your gifts?
- In what ways does the gospel empower our gifts and abilities for kingdom purposes?
- What would it look like for you to “fan the flame” of your gifts for the glory of God? Spend some time in prayer about this.
From the Field: Indonesia Follow Up
Last week, we shared a report from the Pioneers mission agency about Don Richardson and his family, whose years of faithful service saw the Lord bring the gospel to cannibal tribes in Indonesia. This incredible video documents the legacy of God’s grace to the Sawi tribes when Don and his three sons, Steve, Shannon and Paul, went back to visit the Sawi to see how they were doing.
Sunday Rewind | 5.12.2013
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Open Up Our Eyes (Ephesians 1:18-19a) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Let Your Kingdom Come (Psalm 59:16-17) – Valley of Vision by Sovereign Grace Music
Give Me Faith (Psalm 73:25-26) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Beautiful, Scandalous Night (Romans 5:8) – Give Yourself Away by Robbie Seay Band
Unending Love (Romans 8:38-39) – God is Able by Hillsong
Endless Light (Psalm 113:3-4) – Cornerstone by Hillsong
TEACHING: Impact, Part 1
Does our life influence and impact those around us for the sake of the Kingdom? Living a life of intentional, faithful obedience to God will impact others for His glory.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- If you were to give a one-sentence summary of this message, what would it be?
- Do you believe God has given you a specific purpose, calling or burden for your life? Explain.
- Read and discuss Nehemiah 2. What do you observe about the nature of God? What stands out to you about Nehemiah’s character?
- What is the significance of Nehemiah “setting a time” (v. 6)?
- Do you feel like you are living your life on purpose? Why or why not?
- “Living life on purpose always meets with resistance.”What opposes us from living our lives on purpose?
- How does the gospel provide context and power for living life on purpose?
- Is there something in your life that God is prompting you to “set a time” for? What practical steps could you take toward obedience in this area? Spend some time in prayer about this with your small group.
ESL Summer Conversation Partners
I am inspired by the many mission opportunities that RBC makes available to those who are willing to go abroad with the gospel. But for those of us who are not able to participate in an overseas mission trip, may I suggest to you that there is an alternative right here at home?
As most of you know, we have the world at our doorstep through the English as a Second Language program, International Connection. But since I like to give all of my teachers the summer off, we do not hold classes from mid-May to September. That is a long time for our students to be drifting without regular English interaction. It may be hard to imagine, but for some of our students, their time in class here is the only time that they speak English consistently throughout their week. It is more comfortable for them to speak in their first languages at home, in their neighborhoods, and even in their workplaces.
That’s where our Conversation Partners program fills in the gap. If you can manage to hold a conversation in English for an hour once a week for six weeks or more, I ask that you pay attention! I have a list of more than a dozen women (only women this time) in our program who would love to meet you. No lesson plans are required, just a willingness to meet with your international person once a week or every other week to speak English. The emphasis is on building a relationship, not teaching grammar! I suggest a public place such as Starbucks, the library or a park where you can carry on a conversation. This will be the seventh year that we have implemented this program and some of my students have made long-term friends with RBC attendees through this simple method. If you have the desire for cross-cultural ministry, this could be the opportunity for you without the jet-lag.
I’ll be holding an Orientation session on Tuesday evening, May 21, and on May 28 you will be paired with your new international friend!
Please contact me, Susan Morinaga (susanmorinaga@restonbible.org), if you have any questions or would like to volunteer for this unique opportunity.
A Call for Deacons
God’s mercy requires us to relieve suffering and makes us sensitive to others’ trials in order to be His love to them during a time of need.
“Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ,” Scripture tells us (Galatians 6:2). Thus, RBC is appointing a specific group of men and women in our church to help bear the burdens of those in need – particularly, widows and widowers – within our congregation.
If you missed the announcement in services last weekend, you can watch it in the video above. For more information on the Deacon Ministry, including FAQs and the online nomination form, please visit www.restonbible.org/deacons.
From the Field: Indonesia
It was 50 years ago, when Steve Richardson was 7 months old, that his parents Don and Carol Richardson moved deep into the jungles of Papua, Indonesia and made their home among a small tribal group called the Sawi. His dad learned the language and his mom treated the sick, all with the purpose of telling the people about Jesus.
The Sawi were headhunters and cannibals. They lived in a constant state of war and they did not respond to the Gospel as the Richardsons had hoped and prayed. As time passed, his parents began to wonder if the gospel would ever take root. They were faced with the decision to stay or leave. Finally, Don explained to the people that if they kept fighting they could no longer stay. The Sawi were desperate to keep them around, so they finally agreed to make peace with each other. In order for that to happen each Sawi, village gave an infant, a baby boy, to their enemies. This child became known as the “Peace Child.” It was through this unexpected exchange, ingrained very deep in their culture, that his parents were given a unique, perfect opportunity to explain to them that God sent His very own “Peace Child,” Jesus, to make peace with us.
Twenty-five years later, Don and his three sons, Steve, Shannon and Paul, went back to visit the Sawi to see how they were doing. It was an amazing reunion. The people rolled out the red carpet. Hundreds and hundreds of people from five tribes came to welcome them.
Walls have been broken down by virtue of the Gospel’s impact on the Sawi people. They are sharing leadership in the church services, they are intermarrying amongst tribes. Where once they were constantly fighting, they now love each other. It is no longer a place of war but a place of peace. It is a safe place to live now. In an obedient step of faith by Don and Carol Richardson 50 years ago, a legacy of God’s grace is truly visible. People who used to be mortal enemies now see themselves as almost as one. They share a sense of significance.
The villages are committed to staying faithful to the Gospel. The younger generation is really thriving. They have lots of challenges but they are aggressive in progressing and making an impact on others around them. What an incredible privilege it was for the entire Richardson family to join God in His journey to the nations. But they can’t help but wonder how many other people around the world are still waiting to experience what the Sawi’s experienced – hearing the Gospel?
Steve Richardson became president of the Pioneers missions agency in 1999, after serving as a missionary to one of the world’s largest unreached people groups in the world. For more than 35 years, Pioneers’ passion has been to see God glorified among those who are physically and spiritually isolated from the gospel of Jesus Christ—from Bedouins in the deserts of North Africa and animist villagers in the jungles of South America to secular humanists in Eastern Europe and middle-class Buddhist urbanites in the sprawling cities of East Asia.
RBC currently supports 13 missionaries with Pioneers, all with the passion of sharing God’s Word to the lost. Would you take a minute to thank God for the work He has done in the Sawi tribes and in the lives of the Richardson family? Please also pray with us for our Pioneer missionaries across the nations.
Sunday Rewind | 5.5.2013
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
God Is Able (Ephesians 3:20-21) – God Is Able by Hillsong
How Great Thou Art (Psalm 145:3) – Original Arrangement
In Your Presence (Deuteronomy 31:6) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Beautiful Lord (Ephesians 2:4-5) – Sound of Melodies by Leeland
TEACHING: The Silence of Adam
The silence of Adam in the garden is the beginning of every man’s inclination to remain silent when he should speak. Pastor & author Gary Thomas teaches on the need for men to be passionately engaged & empowered by God to influence the world.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What is one thing from this sermon that resonated with you or that you found particularly insightful, helpful, or difficult to grasp?
- Read and discuss Genesis 3:1-7. What do these verses tell us about the nature of man? What do you observe about the nature of our enemy, Satan?
- What do these verses command, teach or imply regarding how to live the Christian life?
- Do you feel that you struggle with passivity? Are you affected by others’ struggle in this area? In what ways?
- “You can trace virtually every major social issue back to the silence of Adam.” Have you seen this to be true? How?
- How does the Gospel of Jesus address the issue of passivity and give hope to those affected by this struggle? How is Jesus our example of what a man should be?
- What is an area of your life where you feel God is calling you to be passionately engaged and empowered by Him? What practical steps could you take toward obedience in this area? Spend some time in prayer about this.
DIAGNOSTIC QUESTIONS FOR MEN FROM GARY THOMAS
SINGLE MEN
- Are you growing in faith, courage & selflessness?
- Are your relationships with females edifying or destructive?
- Are you protecting and developing your influence?
HUSBANDS
- Are you pursuing your wife?
- Are you loving her in such a way that it is costing you something?
- Is your wife first in your affection, even over your own ambition and comfort?
- Are you praying for & with her?
FATHERS
- Do you know your children and their friends?
- What is the spiritual temperature of their hearts?
- What are their greatest temptations?
- Are you watching over your children in their romantic relationships?
- What strengths are you encouraging and building?