A Quick First Fruits Update
The Youth Ministry would like to extend a huge thank you to the body for its prayers and support in all aspects of First Fruits. God answered your prayers in many different ways last Saturday. There were more than 600 workers, spread over 30 teams that did close to 150 jobs, and raised almost $40,000 to immediately impact more than 70 families in the local community with groceries and gift cards. It was a long, but good day, one in which God provided near perfect weather. It was also a blessing to have Park View High School stepping out with volunteers (students and staff) and providing a place for us to meet for our morning and evening programs.
Check back in the near future for pictures from that wonderful day. For this and countless other reasons, we are truly grateful to God for richly blessing our body. Have a very special Thanksgiving.
Sunday Rewind | 11.19.2012
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Our King Has Come (Romans 5:1-2) – For The Honor by Elevation Worship
How Great Thou Art (Psalm 145:3) – Original Arrangement
Always (Psalm 121:1-2) – Here For You by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)
Unending Love (Romans 8:38-39) – God Is Able by Hillsong
I Stand Amazed (2 Corinthians 8:9) – North Point Live by Candi Shelton (North Point)
TEACHING: Taking God Seriously – Part 1
The story of Jonah is about a man who knows God and has sound theology, but does not take Him seriously. In this way, the story of Jonah is really the story of our lives. We are more fearful of those who might find out about the hidden aspects of our lives rather than the One who already knows. All sin can be traced back to not taking God seriously.
CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO & VIDEO OF THIS MESSAGE
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- As you reflect on this sermon, what insight, idea or statement really stuck with you? Why?
- Has there ever been a time in your life when you felt like you were running from God? What happened?
- Read and discuss Jonah 1. What does this chapter tell you about the nature of man? What does it tell you about God?
- How are “the big three” attributes of God revealed in this chapter – omniscience (God knows all things), omnipotence (God has all power over all things), omnipresence (God is everywhere)?
- What are some ways you see yourself reflected in Jonah?
- Is there currently an area of your life where you are not taking God seriously? Spend some time in prayer with your small group for these areas.
Sunday Rewind | 11.11.12
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
The Church – For the Honor by Elevation Worship
Let Our Kingdom Come (Psalm 59:16-17) – Valley of Vision by Sovereign Grace Music
Great in All the Earth (Psalm 47:1-2) – I Will Go by Starfield
Glorious (Psalm 72:18-19) – Glorious by Paul Baloche
TEACHING: The World Is Waiting – 2012 Missions Conference
As part of RBC’s annual Missions Conference, nine missionaries from every corner of the globe joined us last week to share how God has been working in their respective ministries.
Listen to Bill Hurley’s November 4 message, “On Mission”
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Share anything new you learned this week about missions work, or about any of the countries and regions represented by RBC missionaries.
- Read Romans 1. How does this passage change the way you think about sharing the Gospel? How does it affect your view of missions?
- Is it more important to be a missionary “goer” or a “sender”?
- Are you willing to follow God wherever may lead you? If you are comfortable, talk about the calling God has placed on your life and whether you feel like you’re pursuing it.
- Spend some time praying for the missionaries we heard from this week, or any of the other RBC missionaries. Learn more here about ways you can pray.
Sunday Rewind | 11.4.12
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
Majesty (Isaiah 53:5) – Majesty: The Worship EP by Leeland
Lord Of All (Psalm 97:5-6) – Attention by Kristian Stanfill
Beautiful Jesus (Romans 1:20) – Attention by Kristian Stanfill
TEACHING: On Mission
God is always working. He is a life-changing God that cares deeply about what goes on in our lives on this side of Paradise. He is constantly prompting us to share our faith with those around us and calling us to bring the Gospel to those living in the far reaches of His creation.
CLICK HERE FOR THE AUDIO AND VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- If Bill Hurley were to give an abbreviated version of last weekend’s message, what one point would you have him include, no matter what?
- What causes us to hold back from sharing the Gospel with others?
- Does your heart “burn” when God reveals something to you through His Word? In other ways?
- What are some specific examples in scripture in which God shows us His care for this life?
- How has God truly changed your life?
Operation Christmas Child
RBC will be collecting shoeboxes on November 4 and 11 for Operation Christmas Child. Watch the video below to see some of the shoebox stories, and then go to www.restonbible.org/christmaschild to see how you can help!
Giving Thanks to God for the Murrays
As we ramp up for our annual missions conference, we have the great joy of giving thanks to God for Andrew & Ruth Murray this weekend during our worship services (November 4). Andrew & Ruth are long-time RBC missionaries who are retiring from the field after many years of faithful gospel-centered service in Papua New Guinea.
The video above is raw footage showing them delivering printed New Testaments in the native language of the Nimo tribe early in 2011. For the first time in history, the Nimo people are able to read the Word of God for themselves.
When Andrew speaks to the Nimo people in the video, this is what he says: “Today is a very important day in the history of the Nimo people. God’s word is always the same. If God’s word stays in your string bag, it has no use. When you read this New Testament, you will learn God’s talk to strengthen you. We can’t work our way to heaven, but God’s word shows us the way.”
This short clip is the culmination of many years of faithful ministry and Bible translation. We praise God that Christ is being made known to the Nimo tribe. We praise God for the faithfulness of His servants, who heeded His call to the field and labored in faithful, obedient love to their Savior. May Christ be glorified as we celebrate what He has done in and through Andrew & Ruth.
Trunk-or-Treat is Canceled
TRUNK-or-TREAT IS CANCELED.
After much deliberation, the church leadership has decided to cancel Trunk or Treat.
Like you, we are very disappointed, but feel that it would not be safe to hold the event outside, and we don’t have what we need to move the event indoors. None of our supplies have been delivered due to the storm, and our facilities staff will need to devote their time to making sure our grounds and building are safe for use, rather than setting up this event.
To our volunteers:
To all who answered our plea to sign up for Trunk or Treat, we cannot thank you enough for your willingness and flexibility. We hope that you can use the candy that you have purchased to bless the children in your neighborhoods. We will be using what small amount of supplies that arrived before the storm to bless the children of our food pantry guests with a mini-Halloween.
Sunday Rewind | 10.28.2012
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
God Is With Us (Psalm 46:10-11a) – Louder Than Creation by Michael Olson (North Point)
Raise Up The Crown (Psalm 148:13) – Hymns Ancient & Modern by Chris Tomlin (Passion)
The Solid Rock (Psalm 18:2) – Original Arrangement
I Lift My Hands (Lamentations 3:22-23) – Hello Love by Chris Tomlin
You Never Let Go (Psalm 23:4) – Beautiful News by Matt Redman
TEACHING: The Next Generation Church – Lives Generously
Our natural tendency is to believe that it is always better to receive than it is to give, and so we typically feel guilty when addressed about generosity. But in 2 Corinthians 8, scripture gives us an equation for generosity that is only possible through the grace of Christ Jesus: Great Trial + Tremendous Poverty = Joyful Generosity. Guilt leads to “spot giving.” Gratefulness leads to a lifestyle of generosity.
CLICK HERE FOR THE AUDIO AND VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- If Pastor Mike were to give an abbreviated version of last weekend’s message, what two points would you have him include, no matter what?
- Read and discuss 2 Corinthians 8:1-12. What do these verses tell you about the nature of man? What do these verses tell you about Jesus?
- What practical application do these verses have for our church? What are the implications for you personally?
- Why is guilt so often associated with money? Why is guilt a poor motivator toward generosity?
- How is Jesus the ultimate motivator toward generosity?
- A couple weeks ago, the discussion questions included this question regarding “The Cheerio Principle”: “What ‘Cheerios’ in your life do you have trouble letting go of?” Do you feel you’ve grown in that area over the last few weeks? Why or why not?
- How do you feel that you are doing in the area of Christ-centered, gospel-proclaiming generosity? What adjustments could you make in your life in order to grow in joyful generosity? Spend some time in prayer for these as a small group.
Sunday Rewind | 10.21.2012
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
By Faith (Psalm 145:13) – Awaken the Dawn by Keith & Kristyn Getty
Beautiful Lord (Ephesians 2:4-5) – Sound of Melodies by Leeland
God Is Able (Ephesians 3:20-21) – God Is Able by Hillsong
TEACHING: The Next Generation Church – Reaches Globally
As an extension of knowing Christ, making Him known, and loving locally, the next generation church must also reach globally, beyond their immediate borders. Pastor Mike looks at the unlikely parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10) as a basis for global missions and the advancement of the gospel throughout the nations.
CLICK HERE FOR THE AUDIO AND VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What is one thing from this sermon that you hope to talk about as a small group?
- What experience have you had with “reaching globally” (mission trips, etc.)?
- Read and discuss Luke 10:25-37. What do these verses tell you about the nature of man? What do you learn about Jesus? What do these verses tell us about the gospel?
- What does the parable of the Good Samaritan show us about reaching globally?
- In the parable, the thieves wanted something for nothing. The religious people wanted nothing for nothing. The innkeeper wanted something for doing something. The Samaritan was willing to get nothing for doing something. Who do you most identify with? Why?
- How is Jesus the perfect “Good Samaritan”?
- Is there anything that keeps you from “reaching globally” with the gospel of Jesus Christ? What adjustments could you make in your life in order to engage globally for the sake of the gospel? Spend some time in prayer for these as a small group.
FROM THE FIELD: Voz & Vida in Brazil
In early October, a team of five from the RBC went to Brazil to partner with Mike Meyers, RBC Children’s Ministry Associate and founder of Open Arms, in an event called Voz e Vida. Voz e Vida, Juntos Pelas Crianças (Voice & Life, Together for the Children) is an annual benefit concert held in Assis, Sao Paulo, the base city for Open Arms in Brazil. This gospel music event seeks to cross over denominational lines and bring together Christians to reach every child with the gospel of Jesus Christ through the work of Open Arms. The event also has gospel proclamation component both within the concert itself as well as throughout the promotion phase leading up the concert during radio, television and newspaper interviews. From Mike & Patricia Meyers:
Whenever we engage in short term missions, the question arises about what kind of impact was made and whether or not it was worthwhile. Let me answer that question here. In the space of two weeks, we were able to share with the city of Assis, Brazil about the work that Open Arms has done and is doing among the children of this city and throughout the region in the name of Jesus, via radio (nearly a dozen interviews, four of them with the guys from the band), television (2 stations), newspapers (3 papers published 6 quarter page stories), the schools (2 grade schools, 1 technical school and one university) and all culminating in a concert before a very enthusiastic crowd.
Several billboards throughout the city advertized the Voz & Vida event.
Look closely and you may see some familiar faces!
This massive exposure was in large part due to the participation of five very humble servants of Christ from Reston Bible Church. Erik & Elisa Palmer, Jesse Trask, Brian St. Andre and Carter Keeton took Assis by storm and left here with a city full of new friends, and fans. Besides their busy promotion schedule during their week in Assis, they came prepared to work with our kids at their schools and in a Children’s Day party which was to be held on October 12th. The party got rained out but the team still was able to minister to 600+ children in two of the public schools we are partnered with.
The gospel was preached in word by our team and in deed by the RBC Five. Their example of joyful, sacrificial service, not to mention the music which was an immediate hit, has opened doors for the ministry more than we could have imagined. Since they left, our staff and I have been running non-stop responding to new donors, volunteers and business leaders who want to get involved in what God is doing among the children here.
This is the RBC “One Voice” band being interviewed by a radio station in Assis as part of the promotion for Voz & Vida.
On behalf of the staff, volunteers and children of Open Arms in Brazil, we have only thanks to give. Thanks to God for bringing this event together, thanks to Reston Bible Church for standing by this ministry and sending your very best to us, and thanks to the team for encouraging our staff here with their music, their laughs, and their example.
Mike & Patricia Meyers
