Sunday Rewind | 2.3.2013
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Our God Is Love (1 John 4:9-10) – A Beautiful Exchange by Hillsong
Faithful (Lamentations 3:22-23) – Attention by Kristian Stanfill
Forever Reign (Lamentations 5:19) – A Beautiful Exchange by Hillsong
All Creatures of Our God and King (Psalm 148:13) – Original Arrangement
Unending Love (Romans 8:38-39) – God Is Able by Hillsong
TEACHING: The Forgotten War, Part 4
PART 4: KINGDOMS IN CONFLICT – We are in constant struggle between the war of two kingdoms – the Kingdom of Darkness, or the world system, and the Kingdom of Light. We must see this conflict through the eyes of Scripture in order to engage as children of the Kingdom of Light.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- If you were to give a one-sentence version of this message, what would it be?
- Read and discuss 1 John 5:18-21. What do these verses tell you the nature of man? What do they tell us about God?
- What is “spiritual sight”? Why is it important? How do we get it?
- What is the Kingdom of Darkness? What is the Kingdom of Light?
- What strategies, devices & tactics does the Kingdom of Darkness use to blind our minds and neutralize us? How does Scripture answer these?
- What strategies, devices and tactics does the Kingdom of Light employ? What role does the church play in this?
- “Wherever a child of the kingdom goes, they bring the kingdom with them.” Where might God be calling you to bring the kingdom? Spend some time in prayer with your small group about this.
Event Update: Jr. High Epic Fun Night
With each of our Jr. High Friday Night Lives, we strive to create fun, safe environments where our students and their friends can have a great time & also hear about what Christ has done for us. On January 18th, the Jr. Highers had a blast at our Epic Fun Night. A series of Epic Fun activities were spread throughout the youth building so teens could compete in RC car racing, basketball, dodgeball, sculpting, Mario Cart, foosball, Super Smash Brothers, and more. The video below gives you a glimpse of all the excitement. It was a great time for our volunteers to hang out and build relationships with our students and over 40 of their friends that came.
In the middle of the epicness, we paused to watch some epic near-death experiences. In lots of epic movies it always seems when certain death and failure is imminent, at just the right moment salvation comes. The same was true for us in our spiritual lives. As Romans 5:6 says, “While we were still helpless, at just the right time, Christ died for the ungodly.” While we faced certain judgment and eternal punishment, Christ came in God’s perfect timing to die for us. This makes us some of the luckiest and most blessed people ever.
Praise the Lord for His salvation and for the 12 students who indicated they trusted in what Christ has done for them & began a relationship with God that evening.
If you have a Jr. Higher or know one you want to reach out to, go to www.restonbible.org/breakthru and check out our latest calendar to find our details for our next Friday Night Live.
Sunday Rewind | 1.27.13
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
God Is With Us (Psalm 46:10-11a) – Louder Than Creation by Michael Olson (North Point)
Glorious (Psalm 111:2-3) – See The Morning by Chris Tomlin
Forever Reign (Lamentations 5:19) – A Beautiful Exchange by Hillsong
Jesus Paid It All (Colossians 2:13-14) – North Point Live by Kristian Stanfill (North Point)
Take My Life (2 Corinthians 5:14-15) – Hymns Ancient & Modern by Chris Tomlin (Passion)
TEACHING: The Forgotten War, Part 3
PART 3: ATTACKING THE MIND – Shame is one of the most subversive and powerful forces in our lives. Our enemy works diligently to set up strongholds of shame, keeping us captive in hopelessness. The key to breaking the chains of shame is to bring every thought and imagination under obedience to Christ.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- Was there one thing you most agreed or disagreed with from this message? What was it and why?
- Read and discuss 2 Corinthians 10:1-6. What do these verses tell you the nature of man? What do they reveal to us about the nature of Christ and His gospel?
- What is a stronghold? Why is it difficult to recognize strongholds in our own life?
- Read and discuss Genesis 3:6-10. What are the implications of shame entering human history at the fall?
- Why is shame such a powerful force in our lives? How does shame create strongholds?
- In what ways does our culture capitalize on shame?
- How does the Gospel address shame?
- Are you able to identify and share an area of shame in your life? What would it look like for you to “despise the shame” in that area (Hebrews 12:2)? How can your small group pray for you in this area?
VIDEO: Baby Quest Nursery at RBC
Baby Quest, the nursery program at Reston Bible Church, has traditionally run as a parent co-op. We are changing that to an all volunteer system to better serve our kids and parents. This video explains why.
You can get more information and fill out a volunteer form at www.restonbible.org/nursery
The Green Room Sessions: Forever Reign
Here’s the latest installment of The Green Room Sessions, introducing the song Forever Reign, from Hillsong. We’ll be introducing this during worship services on Sunday, January 27. Enjoy!
Sunday Rewind | 1.20.2013
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
O Worship The King (Psalm 145:9-10) – Hymns Ancient & Modern by Chris Tomlin (Passion)
Sing, Sing, Sing (Psalm 47:6-7) – Hello Love by Chris Tomlin
How Great Thou Art (Psalm 145:3) – Hymns Ancient & Modern by Charlie Hall (Passion)
Majesty (Isaiah 53:5) – Majesty: The Worship EP by Leeland
You Never Let Go (Psalm 23:4) – Beautiful News by Matt Redman
God Is Able (Ephesians 3:20-21) – God Is Able by Hillsong
TEACHING: The Forgotten War, Part 2
PART 2: THE BATTLEFIELD OF THE MIND – The lies of the enemy constantly attack our minds, leading us away from the pure truth of the Word of God. His tactics follow the same pattern nearly every time; a combination of doubt, direct contradictions of the Word of God, and half-truths.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
QUESTIONS FOR PERSONAL EVALUATION FROM PASTOR MIKE
- Are you now habitually watching, reading, going to places or doing things that five or ten years ago would have brought conviction to your moral conscience?
- Do you now own something that you believed, before you got it that it, would totally satisfy you?
- How are these indicative that the enemy may have staked a claim in the battlefield of your heart and mind?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- As you think back on this sermon, what one principle, insight or example stands out as being particularly interesting, helpful, difficult or confusing?
- In what ways is the mind a battlefield for spiritual warfare? How have you experienced this?
- Read and discuss Ephesians 2:1-7. What do these verses tell you the nature of man? What do they reveal to us about the nature of Christ and His gospel?
- Last week’s sermon included a discussion of Ephesians 6:10-20. What parallels do you note between these verses and Ephesians 2:1-7?
- Read and discuss Genesis 3:1-7. Satan creates doubt, follows it with a blatant lie, then throws out a half-truth. Have you ever seen this pattern at work in your own life?
- What are some common lies we all tend to believe and struggle with?
- Are you able to identify and share a specific lie that you are currently believing? What would it look like for you to believe the truth in this area of your life? How can your small group pray for you in this area?
VIDEO: Oh How I Need You
Since so many of you requested a copy of the special song performed in our January 6 worship services, we put this little video together for you. Here is Erik, Jesse and Melody performing Oh How I Need You by All Sons & Daughters. Enjoy!
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12
VIDEO: Marriage Booster Promo
IS IT SAFE? How to Take Your Marriage to a Deeper Level of Emotional Intimacy.
Are there some topics that are taboo in your marriage? You know, those areas of discussion that you avoid because venturing there always seems to end up shaking the foundations of commitment to one another. In other words, you “don’t feel safe going there”. Join us on Friday, January 18 for our first Marriage Booster of the year. Pastor Paul Goodnight will help us learn how to take marriage to a deeper level of emotional commitment and trust.
The evening starts on your own with a dinner date for you and your spouse, with discussion questions provided by Pastor Paul Goodnight. Afterward we’ll meet back at RBC, where Pastor Paul Goodnight will speak.
Sunday Rewind | 1.13.2013
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Alive In Us (Ephesians 2:8-9) – God Is Able by Hillsong
With Us (Psalm 46:10-11a) – God Is Able by Hillsong
Nothing But The Blood (Ephesians 1:7-9) – Facedown by Matt Redman
My Deliverer (Psalm 18:2) – Hello Love by Chris Tomlin
Always (Psalm 121:1-2) – Here For You by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)
TEACHING: The Forgotten War, Part 1
Spiritual warfare is constantly raging around us, and ignoring it will keep us in bondage to it. We need not fear our enemy, but we must be aware of what he is doing so we do not fall captive to his schemes.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- As you reflect on this sermon, what is one thing you hope we discuss as a group?
- What comes to mind when you think of spiritual warfare? How would rate your personal awareness of spiritual warfare?
- Read and discuss Ephesians 6:10-20. What do these verses tell you the nature of man? What do they reveal to us about God?
- How do you think our everyday irritations, arguments, conflicts, etc. are related to “the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms”?
- Satan mixes truth with error in order to deceive us. What other tactics does he use? How have you seen these at work in culture/society? How have you fallen prey to some of these tactics?
- Is there an area of current spiritual warfare you can identify in your life? How does the Gospel address this struggle? How can your small group pray for you in this area?
Event Update: Jr. High Minute To Win It
Back in December, the Jr. High Ministry held our 3rd annual Minute to Win It: Friday Night Live. Guy Feiri (played by Erik Palmer) hosted our own version of the TV game show as our students played a series of pressure-packed challenges to win prizes.
We had a full room of excited Jr. Highers (with about 50 friends who do not regularly attend RBC) trying to throw rolls of toilet paper through hoops, making Diet Coke volcanos with Mentos, and bobbing their heads trying to tally steps on a pedometer.
The highlight video below gives you a small glimpse of the excitement. In the middle of the event, one of our Jr. High Volunteers, Amy Stegeman, shared about her life (you can also watch her story below). Just like how in the game show you only have a short time to complete a task, she shared about how she has learned that our time here on earth is short. But unlike the game, we don’t win prizes based on our performance, but by believing in the performance of the God who came into this world at Christmas 2000 years ago.
Praise God for the over 20 students who indicated they trusted in what Christ has done for them & began a relationship with God that evening.