From the Field: Slovakia
On the busy streets of Bratislava, Slovakia, no one found it odd to see an advertisement for a class on the biblical principles of marriage. Slovakia is, after all, a religious society. Talking about God is normal, but living in relationship with God – that’s a different story. Many see Christianity as a crutch for the weak, something that strong, self-reliant people have no need of.
H. and A. came from this background, but decided to attend the class on marriage offered by Crossworld missionaries. Like many Slovak couples, H. and A. were not married, but lived together. They each believed they were committed to their relationship. After the five-week class ended, they both still seemed interested in learning more, so the missionaries teaching the class invited them to study the Bible together.
For several weeks, they met to study the books of Mark and Romans, and continued to discuss the gospel and what it means to follow Christ. H. finally told the missionaries that she and A. understood it, but they were not ready to accept it.
A few months later, the missionaries called to check on H. She broke down and wept over the phone as she told how A. had left her and she did not know where to turn. The missionaries did their best to comfort her, and as they shared Scripture, her walls came down. She started attending a small group, and shortly after, she accepted Christ.
The Slovak people often think those who are strong have no need for God, and at one point, H. might have said the same thing. But H. learned she was not as self-sufficient as she thought. It was God’s gracious hand reaching out to her during a crisis situation that helped her see her need.
Months have passed since H. trusted Christ, and she has become one of the most faithful members of her local church. She still struggles with sharing her faith openly, but she recently decided to be publicly baptized and is steadily becoming bolder in her witness.
One of the keys to H.’s salvation was having a relationship with the missionaries who lovingly pursued her and invested in her life. There are no guarantees that investing in people’s lives will pay off. A. chose to walk away, but H. decided to keep seeking. But God’s truth – delivered through a caring relationship in the context of the difficulties of life – is a powerful formula for life-transformation.
Jesus came not just to transform our eternity, but to radically impact our life here and now. That’s why the best disciple-makers are those who learn to engage people where they live and speak Gospel-centered truth with love into the brokenness of life that Jesus came to redeem.
Pray for all our missionaries in Slovakia as they seek to make disciples and, by the power of the Gospel of Jesus, transform people’s eternity and their lives in the here and now.
Sunday Rewind | 6.30.2013
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Sing, Sing, Sing (Psalm 47:6-7) – Hello Love by Chris Tomlin
Alive In Us (Ephesians 2:4-5) – God Is Able by Hillsong
Give Me Faith (Psalm 73:25-26) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
The Solid Rock (Psalm 18:2) – Original Arrangement
I Stand Amazed (2 Corinthians 8:9) – North Point Live by Candi Pearson Shelton (North Point)
TEACHING: Ruth: A Story of God’s Redemptive Love, Part 1
In Ruth Chapter 1, Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth suffer the tragedy of losing their husbands. But Naomi’s honest faith and Ruth’s unyielding loyalty pave the way for royal line of the Messiah.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- How can we become people whom others want to “follow” through life with such eager commitment as Ruth’s? Do you know any people like that?
- Read Ruth 1:11-13 and 20-21 and discuss Naomi’s reaction to her circumstances. What do her words reveal about her walk with Lord? Can you think of other examples in Scripture where people responded similarly? Do you ever express yourself to God like that?
- Have you ever had a season in life where you felt called to abandon all that you know to follow God’s plan? Did you go?
- Read Ruth 1:15-17. What does this section reveal about Ruth’s persistent faithfulness to Naomi?
- What are some ways you can already see in this section that God is using the lives of these two women to prepare the way for Christ’s arrival on earth?
Living Out the Gospel in International Connection Childcare
It is always a challenge to bridge the gap in International Connection, the English as a second language program at RBC. There can be language gaps, cultural gaps, faith gaps, or even gaps between kids and their childcare workers. We cannot presume that our folks have 100 percent understanding at any one time. It’s one of the frustrating/challenging/enriching aspects of ministry in the ESL world.
This past year, I had the pleasure of watching the Gospel being lived out between a kind-hearted childcare worker, L., and a 3-year-old Iranian boy, P., and his mother, M. They were new to the country and M. had signed up for English classes at the church last fall. P. did not speak a word of English, but he obediently stayed in the nursery while his mom was in classes Tuesday nights and Wednesday mornings. His mom, meanwhile, loved the community she felt in the classroom and sensed that she was gaining strength in her language acquisition.
In Jan., when M. and P. returned for the spring semester of classes, P. suddenly had a change of heart. He began to have panic attacks every time his mom left him in the charge of the childcare workers. These attacks were not just mild, they entailed kicking and screaming! This was a shock to the childcare workers who had seen a quiet and happy child in the fall transition to a very upset little boy in the new year. His mother was equally shocked to see this new behavior! She was unable to leave P. in the nursery without quite a bit of drama. Though it is against program policy to allow a child to stay in the classroom, it was allowed for a short time just to give him a chance to see that she was alive and well, not far away. But this was not a long-term solution. M. stopped coming to classes out of frustration.
One childcare worker, L., decided that she was going to find a way to bridge this new gap in the relationship. She decided to visit the Iranian mother and her son in their home, along with her own little daughter, in order to show them that she was a friend and not someone to be feared. They started to have little coffee times and lunches together to foster friendship and to also get to know one another’s culture. The Iranian mother confessed that she knew she was going to have to put her son into a preschool sooner or later and had no idea how to go about selecting one in the area. She was stymied with many other aspects of living in this country, so L. decided to be as helpful as possible in bridging the many gaps in M.’s understanding. This led to more and more conversations on various topics. Inevitably, M. wanted to know more about this church and about L.’s faith. What an amazing road to deep conversation that started from a seemingly insurmountable problem in the nursery!
L. is praying about how and when to give her whole testimony to M. With the help of some outside resources she trusts that the language and faith barriers will be bridged because now they have a foundation of trust and friendship to build on. Isn’t it amazing that God has used this former difficulty for His good and His purposes?
Sunday Rewind | 6.23.2013
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Endless Light (Psalm 113:3-4) – Cornerstone by Hillsong
Open Up Our Eyes (Ephesians 1:18-19a) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Be Lifted High (John 3:30) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
God, You Lifted Me Out (Psalm 30:1-2) – For The Honor by Elevation Worship
Glorious (Psalm 72:18-19) – Glorious by Paul Baloche
In Christ Alone (Galatians 2:20) – Let The Future Begin by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)
TEACHING: Is That a Fact?
With all of the modern advances in economics, technology, and medicine, life should always be getting better and better. But instead, things seem to be going downhill, almost as if the world is cursed.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was your initial reaction to his message? Do you still feel that way?
- Why do logic, knowledge, and science fail so miserably in fixing the problems of the world?
- What are some examples of economic, technological, or medical advances showing evidence of the curse?
- Read Romans 8:18-25. How does this passage affect your view of life on earth – or your anticipation of the life to come?
- Do you agree that the world has lost its ability to produce genius (the likes of Beethoven, Rembrandt, or Newton)? Why or why not?
- How can you use what you learned in this message to share the Gospel with your friends, family, or neighbors?
Good Samaritan Advocates Legal Clinic Update
This past Saturday, June 15, RBC hosted the kick-off for the Good Samaritan Advocates legal clinic.
Twenty-five RBC’ers attended the orientation and training to volunteer as pro bono attorneys, paralegals, administrative support and in hospitality. The clinic assisted four clients in need of legal counsel. If you would like to learn more about the Good Samaritan Advocates legal clinic or how you can volunteer, go to restonbible.org/legalclinic.
Our next clinic will be on July 20.
Evening of Worship SET LIST
Many of you have requested a list of songs from last Friday’s Evening of Worship… and here it is. Thanks to everyone who came out! We had an incredible time together!
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.
For the Lord is the great God,
the great King above all gods.
Psalm 95:1-3
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GOD IS ABLE – Hillsong
GOD, YOU LIFTED ME OUT – Elevation Worship
+ Psalm 113:1-3
ENDLESS LIGHT – Hillsong
HOW GREAT THOU ART – Charlie Hall / Passion
FOREVER REIGN – Hillsong
ALWAYS – Kristian Stanfill / Passion
+ Psalm 16:5-11
COME THOU FOUNT OF EVERY BLESSING – Original Arrangement
OUR KING HAS COME – Elevation Worship
IN YOUR PRESENCE – Elevation Worship
GIVE ME FAITH – Elevation Worship
OPEN UP OUR EYES – Elevation Worship
UNENDING LOVE – Hillsong
+ Philippians 4:4-7 / Proverbs 3:3-6
‘TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS – Original Arrangement
O FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES TO SING – Original Arrangement
+ Isaiah 53:4-6 / Galatians 6:14
HOW DEEP THE FATHER’S LOVE FOR US – Original Arrangement
IN CHRIST ALONE – Kristian Stanfill / Passion
OUR GOD IS LOVE – Hillsong
Sunday Rewind | 6.16.2013
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
God Is Able (Ephesians 3:20-21) – God Is Able by Hillsong
Be Lifted High (John 3:30) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Nothing But The Blood (Ephesians 1:7-8) – Facedown by Matt Redman
Our King Has Come (Romans 5:1-2) – For The Honor by Elevation Worship
In Your Presence (Deuteronomy 31:6) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
TEACHING: The Prodigal Son, Part 4
The prodigal son’s older sibling seems to carry an attitude of contempt toward his younger brother – and toward his father, from whom he felt entitled to be rewarded for his righteous deeds. The older brother hoped for justice and favor but received a rebuke.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- Take a few minutes to reflect on the Rembrandt painting “The Return of the Prodigal Son.” (See the image here.) Which parts of the painting and its symbolism are especially meaningful to you? Did you observe any additional symbolism in it?
- Read and discuss Luke 15:25-32. In what ways does the older brother go to his own “far country”?
- How do you avoid the self-righteous mentality that says to God, “You owe me”? Can you think of some scriptural truths that counter such a mindset?
- Is it easier to preach the Gospel to people rooted in vile behavior, or to those rooted in self-righteousness? How can we talk about God’s grace to either group (including one we might be in)?
- Where do you fit in this story? Are you the prodigal son? The older brother? Or do you find elements of both in your own heart?
- How has your view of the prodigal son story changed during this series? How has your view of yourself changed?
Countdown to Kids Camp 2013!
With less than two weeks to go, preparations for Kids Camp 2013, The R.O.C.K., are coming along great. We are quickly filling up and we have only a few days left for registration. So, here are my two messages for you and your children and any friends they’d like to invite.
1. Registration for Kids Camp 2013 closes this Monday (June 17) at 9 AM so please if you haven’t registered yet or if your child has friends they’d like to invite, please register ASAP at https://www.restonbible.org/kidscamp (If money is tight, you may apply for scholarship by emailing me.)
2. We need more VOLUNTEERS! We need at least 80 more volunteers in order to handle the 500+ children who will be in attendance at Kids Camp this year. Men, take your mornings off that week to come lead a group of young people. Women, get to know the other moms of the church in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. We need small group leaders, photographers, welcome team, break-down team, and more. Don’t miss this opportunity. Register now at https://www.restonbible.org/kidscamp and click on “Click here to Volunteer”.
The Unity of Worship
“The sound of our House will always reflect the soul of our House.”
-Brian Houston, Senior Pastor // Hillsong Church
I hold firm to a belief that nothing can bond and unify a church community like corporate worship. What an amazing opportunity for us as a body of believers to look around, celebrate, and exalt our Lord and King – TOGETHER! It’s designed to clarify who God is, who we are, what we need, and how that need is fully supplied in the grace of Jesus. God uses it to bring glory to Himself and to lift up our eyes to see the glory of what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will do in our lives. As a church body, we are more connected in our times together on Sunday morning than any other time. It is our prayer that we will continue to grow to fully embrace worship as a critical component of the Christian life. God is always revealing Himself to us. In return, he desires an outpouring of affection and worth from us – just as calls us to give Him our highest love and greatest service.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.”
-Matthew 22:37-38
That’s our worship. And it brings us together like nothing else can.
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Join us this Friday night at 7:00pm in the auditorium for an extended time of corporate worship. We will praise God together with one voice—unified for His glory.
Sunday Rewind | 6.9.2013
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Your Love Never Fails (Romans 8:28) – Your Love Never Fails by Jesus Culture
O Worship The King (Psalm 145:9-10) – Hymns Ancient & Modern by Chris Tomlin (Passion)
Our God Is Love (1 John 4:9-10) – A Beautiful Exchange by Hillsong
Take My Life (2 Corinthians 5:14-15) – Hymns Ancient & Modern by Chris Tomlin (Passion)
Come Thou Fount (Psalm 16:11) – Original Arrangement
TEACHING: The Prodigal Son, Part 3
The younger son returned in repentance, hoping to be made a hired hand in his father’s home – but the father’s lavish forgiveness gave him far more. The prodigal hoped to be a servant but received a celebration.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What is something from this teaching that you found particularly insightful, helpful or difficult to grasp?
- Share a time when you either extended or accepted forgiveness. What makes forgiveness so difficult?
- Read and discuss Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15, with an emphasis on verses 17-24. What do you observe about forgiveness from these verses? What offenses is the father forgiving?
- How does the parable address people outside of God’s kingdom? How does it address those already in the kingdom?
- Why does the human heart automatically assume that something must be done before forgiveness can be extended or accepted?
- How does the gospel compel us to both accept and extend forgiveness?
- Is there currently an area of your life where you need to either extend or accept forgiveness? What would it look like to apply the parable of the prodigal to that situation or relationship? Spend some time in prayer about this.