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HomeConnect Week 2, January 10, 2010
Posted on January 11th, 2010 No commentsDate: Sunday, January 10, 2010
Week 6: Satan Tempts Jesus (Luke 4:1-13)
Bible Point: With Jesus’ help we can resist temptation.http://nutrition.about.com/library/blnutritionquiz.htm
Take the nutrition quiz at this site and enjoy browsing to look at the food pictures. Then consider Luke 4:1-4. Jesus had not eaten for forty days when the devil tempted him with food. Yet Jesus did not give in to Satan. Would you be able to ignore a physical need in order to remain true to God? Why or why not? What would you do to make yourself strong against the devil?
http://www.santiagogoldproject.de/html/picture_gallery.html
Check out the Santiago Gold Prospect area. The pictures at this site show mountains that are literally full of gold. This is similar to what Satan offered to Jesus, in that it represents unbounded wealth. Given the same choice Jesus was given, would you be able to tell Satan no?
http://www.corsinet.com/braincandy/dying.html
Study the list of last words spoken by famous people. Do you see a contrast between the words of Christians and the last remarks of others? How have temptations affected the lives of these people? Do you know? Use the Internet to research the lives of several persons who are quoted.
Prestige and popularity are a temping duo. How far would you be willing to go to be popular? Are you ever tempted to “go along” with the crowd, even when you know that it is against what God would want you to do? What should you do when you face such temptations?
Prayer: God, make us strong. Keep us focused on you, so that we can resist temptation. It is you that we want to worship and not the things of this world.
Group Publishing, http://www.group.com/tips/Default.aspx?tipID=8089
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HomeConnect Week 1, January 3, 2010
Posted on January 4th, 2010 No commentsDate: Sunday, January 3, 2010
Week 5: The Word Became Flesh (John 1:1-18)
Bible Point: People who know Jesus are God’s children.http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/custommenu.html
http://www.dltk-cards.com/calendar/
Use either of these programs to create your own customized calendar to celebrate the new year ahead. Don’t forget to use the correct year date! Does it seem odd? Discuss how long it usually takes to get used to using the new date each year.
Discuss the following with your family:
Learning the new year date is a good habit to form, just like brushing your teeth or putting your plate in the sink after dinner. Can you name some other habits that are good ones?
Psalm 145:2 reminds God’s children to bless the Lord and to praise him every day. There is no doubt that blessing the Lord is a good habit. As you think about the year ahead of you, discuss how you can bless the Lord through your daily actions.
Make a list of good habits that bring praise to God. Post the list where everyone in the family can see it all week long. Then plan a time when you can get back together to “compare notes.” Did you form any good habits this week? What were they? Are you able to do any of them all year long? Would these habits please God? How?
Jesus became flesh so that we could be the children of God. In what ways can this thought affect the way you live throughout the coming year?
Group Publishing, http://www.group.com/tips/Default.aspx?tipID=8088
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HomeConnect Week 4, December 27, 2009
Posted on January 4th, 2010 No commentsDate: Sunday, December 27, 2009
Week 4: Jesus Grows Up (Luke 2:39-52)
Bible Point: Jesus is special.http://www.huggieshappybaby.com/tools/games/growthchart.aspx?d=1&_nc=632988774579965344&_nockcheck=true
Have fun making a growth chart for an infant you know.
http://watchmegrowup.com/
Browse the growth charts at this site for older children. How are these growth charts different than the ones for infants?
Discuss the following questions:
Jesus came into the world as a baby and then he “grew up.” How was Jesus like other children? How was he different?
What does it mean to grow “spiritually”? How did Jesus do that? How can you grow spiritually?
Spend time as a family determining what each of you wishes to be as a “grown-up,” both physically and spiritually. Then pray for one another, asking God to help you accomplish these goals.
Group Publishing, http://www.group.com/tips/Default.aspx?tipID=8087
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HomeConnect Week 3, December 20. 2009
Posted on December 22nd, 2009 No commentsDate: Sunday, December 20, 2009
Week 4: The Son of God Is Born! (Luke 1:26-45; 2:1-20)
Bible Point: Christians celebrate Jesus’ birth.http://www.christmas-origin.com/
http://childrensermons.com/sermons/gift.htm
http://www.robinsfyi.com/holidays/christmas/tocolor/tocolorbox.htm
Use these Web sites to spend a few moments studying the origin of Christmas. Discuss what you think “origin” means. Invite smaller children to color the gift box that can be printed from the third link listed above. Talk about how it feels to receive a special gift. Then allow each family member time to give an answer to the following questions:
What is the greatest gift God could ever give? Why do you think God gave this gift?
Why was Jesus willing to be God’s gift to all humankind?
What gift can we give to Jesus?
Let family members write their names on small pieces of paper. Place each name in a small box and gift-wrap it. Include this gift in your Christmas giving as a symbol of what you will give Jesus.
Group Publishing, http://www.group.com/tips/Default.aspx?tipID=8086
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HomeConnect Week 2, December 13, 2009
Posted on December 14th, 2009 No commentsDate: Sunday, December 13, 2009
Week 2: John Prepares People for Jesus’ Coming (Luke 3:7-18)
Bible Point: Repenting prepares us for Jesus.http://home.ivillage.com/cleanandorganize/cleaning/0,,75vd,00.html
http://songsofpraise.org/song.php?songid=80
Enjoy these two “cleaning” sites. The first gives a list for last-minute house cleaning when guests are expected. The second site shares a song about a clean heart. As a family, make your own list of what you would do if someone called, giving you only a 30-minute warning of his or her arrival. Discuss how and what you would wash, dust, or remove from sight. Then make a second list. This time, write down what you feel you’d need to do to “cleanup” spiritually if Jesus were about to visit your heart.
Ask a family member to pray. Commit to God that you will endeavor to have a clean heart.
Group Publishing, http://www.group.com/tips/Default.aspx?tipID=8085
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HomeConnect Week 1, December 6, 2009
Posted on November 30th, 2009 No commentsDate: Sunday, December 6, 2009
Week 2: Zechariah Prophesies About Jesus (Luke 1:68-79)
Bible Point: The world needs Jesus.http://www.joyfulheart.com/christmas/zechariah.htm
Click on this link to read the story of Zechariah and his prophecy concerning Jesus. Zechariah promised that Jesus would be our Savior.
http://firechief.com/ar/firefighting_ems_leaders_gather/
Read the article about firefighters. Did you know that firefighters undergo continuous training so that they always know the best ways to rescue people in a fire? What does it mean to be “saved” or “rescued”? Where do firefighters take the people they rescue? What makes them safe?
Read Luke 1:68-79 as a family. Zechariah prophesied that Jesus would be the Savior of the world. What does that mean?
ASK What does Jesus rescue us from and lead us to? How does Jesus do this?
Can you think of ways that Jesus makes us safe?
As a family, make a list of these. Then close in prayer, thanking Jesus for rescuing the world from sin and leading us to “paths of peace.”
Group Publishing, http://www.group.com/tips/Default.aspx?tipID=8084
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HomeConnect Week 13
Posted on November 30th, 2009 No commentsate: Sunday, November 29, 2009
God Gives Victory Over Jerichohttp://www.freefoto.com/browse.jsp?id=13-09-0
http://www.fotosearch.com/CSK010/pr90444/
http://www.af.mil/photos/index.asp?galleryID=2
Browse these Web sites that show elements of power. Then read Joshua 6:1-27 as a family.
As a family, discuss the following questions:
How does God’s power work for good in our lives?What things can you do to tap into God’s power?
How does God use power to keep his promises?
Remembering the photographs that you have viewed while browsing these sites, close your eyes and imagine Joshua relying on the power of God–a power more to be reckoned with than anything we might imagine on earth. Commit to look for God’s power in the things around you this week.
Group Publishing, http://www.group.com/tips/Default.aspx?tipID=7712
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HomeConnect Week 12
Posted on November 23rd, 2009 No commentsDate: Sunday, November 22, 2009 (Thanksgiving)
The Israelites Cross the Jordan Riverhttp://www.lessontutor.com/ees_time_pt2.html
http://www.lessontutor.com/eesASLsimple.html
http://www.lessontutor.com/ees_asl_relgious.html
Use these Web pages to learn the sign language for the words Thanksgiving, thank you, and God. As you consider the story of the Israelite’s flight across the Jordan River, remember that the same mighty God who led the Israelites is also at work in your life. Begin to think of all that God has done for you. Make a mental of list of things you’d like to thank God for.
Take turns thanking God for each of the things on your list. Use the following format, signing the words that are in quotation marks: During “Thanksgiving” week, I “thank you, God” for [insert something from your list]. When each family member has finished his or her list, ask God to help you remember to share with others what God has done for you when opportunities present themselves.
Group Publishing, http://www.group.com/tips/Default.aspx?tipID=7711
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HomeConnect Week 10
Posted on November 11th, 2009 No commentsDate: Sunday, November 8, 2009
Joshua Becomes Leader of Israelhttp://searchcio.techtarget.com/originalContent/0,289142,sid19_gci1007327,00.html
Read in this article what American Airlines Executive Chairman Ed Brennan thinks about great leaders. Do you agree with Mr. Brennan? Why or why not?
http://www.lead.sdes.ucf.edu/sub/characteristics.php
Students from the University of Central Florida composed this list of leadership qualities. Do you have any of these characteristics? Which ones?
http://www.jesus-institute.org/life-of-jesus-modern/jesus-ceo.shtml
In this article, Jesus is presented as the example of the perfect CEO. Do you agree? Why or why not?
Like Joshua, we are encouraged by God’s Word to become leaders who accomplish God’s plans. We have an advantage Joshua didn’t have, though–we have Jesus as our example.
(Group Publishing, http://www.group.com/tips/Default.aspx?tipID=7709)
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HomeConnect Week 11
Posted on November 11th, 2009 No commentsDate: Sunday, November 15, 2009
Joshua Sends Spies to Jerichohttp://news.com.com/False+promises+about+ending+spam/2010-7348_3-5475993.html
http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0725-02.htm
Take a moment to browse these news articles about false promises. Then discuss the following questions as a family:
Do you agree with any of the authors of the articles? Why or why not?
How do you feel when you believe someone is making false promises?
What do we know about God’s promises? Why can we know that God will do big things in our lives?
Make a list of God’s promises and place it in a prominent place in your house. Choose one of the promises to claim as your own for an entire week. Then meet again as a family and tell how God has kept that promise in your life this week.
Group Publishing, http://www.group.com/tips/Default.aspx?tipID=7710
Family Ministry
at Redland Baptist Church
About FM at RBC
Family Ministry at Redland Baptist Church is a holistic and intergenerational approach to ministry. Leading the church to come alongside of parents to encourage, equip, and empower them to be the primary disciplers at home to reach this and future generations through the ministries of children, youth, and recreation.
This blog is one tool we use to pursue our purpose in Family Ministry for families to live out Deuteronomy 6:4-7. “Attention, Israel! God, our God! God the one and only! Love God, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that’s in you, love him with all you’ve got! Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night.”