Sunday Rewind | 10.18.2015
VIDEO ANNOUNCEMENTS
As we adjust to three 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
Only King Forever (1 Timothy 1:17) – Only King Forever by Elevation Worship
With Us (Psalm 46:10-11a) – God Is Able by Hillsong Worship
Hosanna (Mark 11:9-10) – Savior King by Hillsong Worship
In Your Presence (Deuteronomy 31:6) –Nothing is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Your Great Name (Philippians 2:10-11) – Love Revolution by Natalie Grant
TEACHING: James – Living Out Our Faith, Part 5
Every time we believe a lie, it becomes easier to believe the next one. Lies pave the way to more lies.
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?
- Last week’s “homework” was to read one chapter of Proverbs each day until your group meets again. What did you learn? What insights did you gain?
- Read and discuss James 1:19-27 and John 8:42-44. What do these verses tell us about us? What do they tell us about God? What warnings or commands are here?
- What is the “world” in the context of these verses? How do we experience the world? How can we be tainted by the world?
- Pastor Mike shared 3 areas where lies from the world invade: Intellectually, morally & materialistically. What examples of each can you think of?
- In Pastor Mike’s example, what is the difference between “science” and “scientist”? What happens if you fail to make the distinction? What other examples like this can you think of?
- “Intellectual lies lead to moral lies lead to material lies” Have you found this sequence to be true? How to lies pave the way for more lies? Give examples.
- How does the gospel of Jesus deal with the stain of the world? How does the gospel keep us from being permanently stained?
- Are there particular areas of your life that have been stained or polluted by the world? Spend some time in prayer surrendering these to the Lord, and thanking Him for the cleansing power of the gospel.
Family Quest: The Hope – Deadly Disease, 2
“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head and you will strike his heel.” – Genesis 3:15
“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.” – Romans 16:20
As you prepare this week, consider how you can help the children to see that God began foreshadowing the coming Deliverer from the very start and that He is the main character throughout the Bible.
“And the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; on your belly shall you go, and dust shall you eat all the days of your life; and I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.” – Genesis 3:14–15
“And the Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.” – Genesis 3:21
“Therefore the Lord God sent him out from the Garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken. He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim, and the flaming sword which turned every direction, to guard the way to the tree of life.” – Genesis 3:23–24
“So God made for them garments of animal skin. This was an acceptable covering. But it was only a partial remedy, for it did not take away the sin…and though they could not understand it at the time, it was a picture of the price God would ultimately pay to free humankind from sin. God sent Adam and Eve out from the garden, lest they eat from the tree of life and walk the earth forever, never knowing life as it was meant to be. As for Satan, God pronounced a judgment on him. And in that judgment we find God’s first promise, that one day, through a descendant of Eve, God would send a deliverer to defeat Satan forever.”
– The HOPE, Chapter 3
BIG IDEA: Only God can conquer sin and death
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THIS WEEK’S VIDEO
MEDITATING ON THE WORD:
Hebrews 10:1-10
Romans 8:3
2 Corinthians 5:21
Romans 6:23
SECTION VERSES:
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” -Genesis 1:1
“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.” -Genesis 1:31
LESSON VERSE:
“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head and you will strike his heel.” – Genesis 3:15
“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.” – Romans 16:20
PRAYER:
Pray a prayer of thanksgiving that God had a plan from the beginning to bring us back to Him.
DISCUSSION STARTERS:
- What happened as a result of their sin?
- Is there anyone without sin?
- If sin is a disease, did God promise a cure? When? (Genesis 3:15)
- Can you fix your own sin?
LIVE IT OUT!
- Ask God to search your heart for any sin you haven’t asked forgiveness for and take advantage of His grace to forgive.
– – –
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 | 10.11.2015
VIDEO ANNOUNCEMENTS
As we adjust to three 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
Our God Is Love (1 John 4:9-10) – A Beautiful Exchange by Hillsong Worship
The Wonderful Cross (Romans 8:38-39) – The Worship Initiative, Vol. 5 by Shane and Shane
Give Me Faith (Psalm 73:25-26) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Keeper of My Heart (Psalm 121:1-2) – Majestic by Kari Jobe
Glorious (Psalm 111:2-3) – Everything Glorious by Chris Tomlin (Passion
TEACHING: James – Living Out Our Faith, Part 4
The desire to obey instruction is prompted by the anticipated outcome. To be humble is to be teachable, to be teachable is to be reachable. To look intently into the Word of God is to have the Word of God look intently into you.
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 1:21-25. What do these verses tell us about us? What do they tell us about God? What do you note about the Word of God in these verses? What warnings or commands are here?
- What does it mean to “humbly accept the word” (v. 21)? Why is humility important in the context of the Word of God?
- In what ways is our desire to obey prompted by what we think the outcome will be?
- How do you respond to this statement? “To look intently into the Word of God is to have the Word of God look intently into you.”
- How is it liberating to obey the word of God? How does the gospel of Jesus show us that the Word of God is liberating, not oppressive? How does the gospel show us the wisdom of the Scriptures.
- How can you cultivate the grace of obedience to the Word? Is there a specific area where you struggle with disobedience? Spend some time in prayer about this.
- Read one chapter of Proverbs each day until your group meets again. Keep a journal of insights as you read and meditate on these scriptures. Share what you learned with your group the next time you meet.
Family Quest: The Hope – Deadly Disease, 1
“Therefore just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned” – Romans 5:12
Question: “What is spiritual death?”
Answer: Death is separation. A physical death is the separation of the soul from the body. Spiritual death, which is of greater significance, is the separation of the soul from God. In Genesis 2:17, God tells Adam that in the day he eats of the forbidden fruit he will “surely die.” Adam does fall, but his physical death does not occur immediately; God must have had another type of death in mind—spiritual death. This separation from God is exactly what we see in Genesis 3:8. When Adam and Eve heard the voice of the Lord, they “hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God.” The fellowship had been broken. They were spiritually dead.
A man without Christ is spiritually dead. Paul describes it as “being alienated from the life of God” in Ephesians 4:18. (To be separated from life is the same as being dead.) The natural man, like Adam hiding in the garden, is isolated from God. When we are born again, the spiritual death is reversed. Before salvation, we are dead (spiritually), but Jesus gives us life. “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,” (Ephesians 2:1 NKJV). “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins” (Colossians 2:13).
(via “What Is Spiritual Death?” GotQuestions.org)
BIG IDEA: Sin causes death, both spiritual and physical
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THIS WEEK’S VIDEO
MEDITATING ON THE WORD:
Genesis 3
Romans 5
Romans 6:23
SECTION VERSES:
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” -Genesis 1:1
“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.” -Genesis 1:31
LESSON VERSE:
“Therefore just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned” – Romans 5:12
PRAYER:
Pray a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s promise of His presence in your life always!
DISCUSSION STARTERS:
- What is sin?
- How do we sin?
- What happens because of sin?
- What does our sin deserve?
- Is sin attractive? (Heb. 1:24-26, Gen. 3:6)
LIVE IT OUT!
- Take a walk and find a place to enjoy God’s presence together in prayer and the Word. Thank God for making you spiritually alive in Jesus!
– – –
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 | 10.4.2015
VIDEO ANNOUNCEMENTS
As we adjust to three 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
Open Up the Heavens (Psalm 108:4-5) – Worth It All by Meredith Andrews
The Lord Our God (James 1:17) – Passion: Let the Future Begin by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)
Lord I Need You (Hebrews 4:16) – All The People Said Amen by Matt Maher
Cornerstone (Psalm 18:2) – Cornerstone by Hillsong Worship
TEACHING: James – Living Out Our Faith, Part 3
When the church doesn’t listen to the world, the world doesn’t listen to the church. Listening is a platform for evangelism, and often listening speaks more than speaking does.
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?
- What are some good things you have from the Lord? Are there some things in your life from the Lord that you would categorize as “good but difficult”?
- Read and discuss James 1:16-21. What do these verses tell us about us? What do they tell us about God? What do you note about the Word of God in these verses?
- What does being swift to hear and slow to speak have to do with wrath or anger?
- What is the correlation between anger and immorality?
- Why to we have the tendency to “talk above” others? How have you seen this in culture & society? How have you seen it in your own life?
- Referring to the previous question, what implications does this have for the church?
- Read and discuss 1 Peter 2:21-25. How does Jesus provide an example about how we are to conduct ourselves in speaking and listening? How does the gospel empower us to this end?
- How can you cultivate the grace of listening? Is there a specific person or situation where you need to do this? Spend some time in prayer about this.
Family Quest: The Hope – The Choice
“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” – Deuteronomy 30:19
For man was created to love God and to be loved by God. – The HOPE, Chapter 2
God’s love for us is proclaimed throughout the Old and New Testaments.
The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. (Jeremiah 31:3)
Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. (Psalm 25:6)
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. (1 John 4:16)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
In response to that love God calls us to in turn love Him above all else.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. (Mark 12:30)
Our love of God is demonstrated by our willing obedience to His purpose for our lives.
But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: (1 John 2:5)
In other words, as the Westminster Shorter Catechism puts it, “the chief purpose for which man is made is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.” When we truly love God, we will truly glorify Him above all others. Let’s help the children this week truly grasp how long, high, deep, and wide is God’s love for us.
BIG IDEA: We were created to love and be loved by God.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THIS WEEK’S VIDEO
MEDITATING ON THE WORD:
Deuteronomy 30:19-20
Jeremiah 29:11
Psalm 139:13-17
Mark 12:30
Jeremiah 31:3
SECTION VERSES:
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” -Genesis 1:1
“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.” -Genesis 1:31
LESSON VERSE:
“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” – Deuteronomy 30:19
PRAYER:
Pray a prayer of thanksgiving for all of God’s creation and how He has supplied our every need.
DISCUSSION STARTERS:
- What is God’s purpose for you?
- What was God’s purpose for the angels?
- Why did Lucifer reject God’s purpose?
- What was the end result?
LIVE IT OUT!
- Make a list of ways you can show God that you love him. Do the same for your parents, siblings, and friends. Purpose to love!
– – –
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 | 9.27.15
VIDEO ANNOUNCEMENTS
As we adjust to three 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
Alive in Us (Ephesians 2:4-5) – God is Able by Hillsong Worship
Rock of Ages (Deuteronomy 32:3-4) – Death of Death by Charlie Hall
Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies) (Psalm 27:1) – Let The Future Begin by Chris Tomlin (Passion)
I Will Look Up (Deuteronomy 7:9) – Only King Forever by Elevation Worship
TEACHING: Love One Another
God not only highlights but elevates His command for us to love one another.
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?
- What comes to mind when you think of the love of God?
- Do you think God loves you? Why or why not?
- Read and discuss 1 Peter 4:7-11, Colossians 3:12-14, Matthew 22:34-40, Galatians 5:13-14, Romans 13:8-10, John 13:34-35, and 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. What do these verses tell us about us? What do they tell us about God? What do we learn about love?
- What impact does the inclusion of the phrase “above all” have on these verses (particularly the verses from 1 Peter and Colossians)? How should we respond to what these verses are telling us?
- How have you been the recipient of others’ love? What examples of others’ love toward you stand out most in your life?
- How do you respond to this statement? “We love others best by loving Christ most.”
- What does the gospel of Jesus show us about love? How does the gospel change or affect how we love one another?
- How can you reach out and show love to someone else this week? Spend some time praying and asking the Lord how He would want you to love this person in a tangible, practical way this week.
Family Quest: The Hope – Creation
“By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” – Hebrews 11:3
According to His story, God spoke all of creation into existence. By His Word He made everything out of nothing… According to His story, God created the heavens, the earth, and every living thing in six days. – The HOPE, Chapter 1
After reading the preceding excerpt from The HOPE video, let’s consider a few of these concepts. First, because God is all powerful, not limited by anything, He can create however He chooses, even simply by speaking. This concept is clearly presented in the Bible:
“Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light.” (Genesis 1:3)
“…by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed.” (2 Peter 3:5)
Secondly, God made everything that is out of nothing. Think about that. When we humans create, we must utilize or draw upon things that existed before us. When we “create” we are really “re-creating.” But God, who created from nothing, is creative in the ultimate sense:
“…God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.” (Romans 4:17)
Third, God created the whole world in six days. We find this concept clearly presented in the Bible:
“For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them…” (Exodus 20:11)
While students of the Bible have long debated the meaning of “six days,” the assertion that God made the heavens and the earth and all that is in them clearly contradicts the notion that the world is simply the result of a natural evolutionary process.
BIG IDEA: God created the universe and everything in it. And it was good.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THIS WEEK’S VIDEO
MEDITATING ON THE WORD:
Genesis chapters 1-2 (focus on 2:7), Colossians 1:16
SECTION VERSES:
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” -Genesis 1:1
“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.” -Genesis 1:31
LESSON VERSE:
“By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” – Hebrews 11:3
PRAYER:
Pray a prayer of thanksgiving for all of God’s creation and how He has supplied our every need.
DISCUSSION STARTERS:
- What did God make everything From?
- Why did God create the world?
- Why did God create people?
- What was man’s purpose when God created them?
LIVE IT OUT!
- Take a walk in the woods together, paying special attention to all that God has created and how unique each thing is.
– – –
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 | 9.20.15
VIDEO ANNOUNCEMENTS
As we adjust to three 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
Only King Forever (1 Timothy 1:17) – Only King Forever by Elevation Worship
God You Lifted Me Out (Psalm 30:1-2) – For The Honor by Elevation Worship
Keeper of My Heart (Psalm 121:1-2) – Majestic by Kari Jobe
Touch the Sky (1 Corinthians 2:9) – Empires by Hillsong United
Beautiful Jesus (Romans 1:20) –Attention by Kristian Stanfill
Your Promises (2 Peter 1:3-4a) – Wake Up the Wonder by Elevation Worship
TEACHING: James – Living Out Our Faith, Part 2
When driven by our natural desires, we fill our insecurities with things that only wind up creating more insecurities. The ultimate desire that must replace all others is to love God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength.
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?
- What is the nature of human desire? How is desire related to idolatry?
- Read and discuss James 1:9-15. What do these verses tell us about man? What do they tell us about God? What do we learn about temptation and desire?
- Why would it be evil for God to tempt us? What is the distinctions between temptation and testing?
- “Habit will eat willpower for lunch any day of the week.” Can you think of examples of this in your own life?
- Discuss the following statement: “We try to fill our insecurities with things that only wind up creating more insecurities.” Have you found this to be true in your life? What examples can you share? What specific insecurities can you identify in your own life?
- How does the gospel of Jesus impact, form or re-form our natural desires? How does the gospel direct us toward humility, sacrifice and love?
- Spend some time praying together for the things you’ve discussed. Ask God to weed out fleshly desires in your life and replace them with love for Him.
Introducing RBC Cares
The Deacons are launching a new initiative called “RBC Cares,” whose goal is to connect those who desire to share their gifts (material or services), with the needy in our congregation, who are under the care of the Deacons.
RBC Cares will assist the Deacons in meeting the needs of RBC families, while tapping into the talents of the congregation.
The first step is to create a central repository of donors, which enables the Deacons to match needs with gifts. To do this we need your help. First, we need to know who is willing to help (free of charge) and how you’re gifted.
Here are a few examples of ways to serve:
- Opening your home to a displaced widow/family
- Offering legal advice
- Offering tax advice or financial guidance
- Offering real estate advice
- Assisting with job searches
- Providing child care
- Doing home repair
- Giving rides to church
Here’s how it works:
- Let us know you’re willing to serve by registering at the link below (donors will be kept anonymous).
- Tell us how you would like to serve.
- If a need arises within your area of giftedness, we will communicate the need and if you’re willing and able, you can elect to serve. If not, we will keep you on the list for the next opportunity within your area. There’s no time commitment or obligation.
- You can serve as little or as much as you prefer, as needs arise within your area of giftedness.