From the message this past weekend, we wanted to "zoom in" on the portion about humility. A number of people have asked for the list of nine questions presented, and so we've pulled an excerpt from the manuscript for you here. Enjoy! Getting low before the Lord is the first and most important part of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. It’s a theme that’s emphasized in the Bible over and over again. Jesus himself was humble. Humility is a fruit of the Spirit. The Apostle Paul told the Ephesians to “be completely humble and ...

The Many Facets of Faith Ordinary People, Extraordinary God May 19, 2013 Judges 4-5 1. Read Lamentations 3:19-26 together. See how much you can recite without looking. 2. Have you had times in your life when you were more or less able to hear God? What defined those periods? 1. Do you struggle to “be the nothing that opens the way for God to be all”? Is there a specific source of pride that is more difficult to give up than others? 2. Is there something keeping you from hearing God? Not wanting to ...

“And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death” (Romans 8:2). The Holy Spirit helps us do what’s right. Can you think of a time you felt the Holy Spirit telling you what to do? What happened? Share about your favorite way to listen for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Take a “Heads or Tails” trip with your family! Start just outside your front door and say something like, “Heads, we go to the left; tails, we go right.” Then flip the coin, and go in the ...

Give to missionaries. (1 Corinthians 16:1-3) “Dear friend, you are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you: (3 John 5). Today your child learned that the church supports missionaries. The children learned that when they support missionaries, they, too, share in bringing God’s love to others. They also learned different ways churches support missionaries. Use these ideas to encourage your child to be sensitive to the needs of missionaries. Help your c ...

Paul shared the good news. Lydia became a follower of Jesus. “God sent the good news to his people. It’s good news about the peace Jesus brings.” Acts 10:36 We live in such a fast-paced society today. We talk fast, we eat fast, we drive fast, and we have to go to sleep fast so we have the energy to get up and start another day of “fastness!” Our minds are often working so fast thinking about what we have to do next or tomorrow that we can’t see what might be right in front of our noses. With that pace, sometimes it is so difficult ...

From my message this weekend, I mentioned that I'd share more on hearing God's voice. So, here is a practical summary of the sources and principals of hearing God's voice from me. Enjoy! - Mark Hearing God’s Voice Sources and Principles Scripture teaches that God speaks to us through 4 main sources. The Bible Primary source of guidance (95% of all the guidance we get comes from the Book). Gohere first! God breathed and represents God’s thoughts on the vast majority of things that touchour lives (II Timothy ...

The Value of Life Experience Ordinary People, Extraordinary God May 12, 2013 Judges 4-5 1. Read Lamentations 3:19-26 together. See how much you can recite without looking. 2. Have you ever known anyone who seemed determined to repeat the same mistake over and over again? What happened to them? 3. How valuable is life experience? What has your life experience taught you? What lessons have you learned? 1. Have you ever witnessed the effects of a parents sin being visited upon their children and grandchildren? ...

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). In Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus taught his disciples- including us! – how to pray. What’s your favorite part of that prayer, and why? What part of that prayer do you think your family does best? What part of that prayer would you like to work on doing better with your family? At the beginning of the week, have each person in your family write one prayer request on an index ...

Sent by the church. (Acts 13:1-5) “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9). Today your child learned that the church sends out missionaries. The children learned that it’s important to send missionaries to faraway places to teach everyone about God’s love. Use these activities to teach your child that missionaries are sent o ...

Barnabas loved God. Barnabas was a good friend. “God sent the good news to his people. It’s good news about the peace Jesus brings.” Acts 10:36 “Two people are better than one. They can help each other in everything they do. Suppose someone falls down. Then his friend can help him up. But suppose the man who falls down doesn’t have anyone to help him up. Then feel sorry for him!” (Ecclesiastes 4:10) God has put you and your family in your church for a reason. We all need each other, certainly, to live out our Christian walk. But ...

The Push and Pull of Getting Unstuck May 5, 2013 Ephesians 2:1-6 1. Read Lamentations 3:19-26 together. See how much you can recite without looking. 2. Have you ever, like Pooh, been physically stuck someplace? In a tight parking spot? In a hole? What happened? 3. Have you ever witnessed a child’s sinful nature? Do you have any stories you would like to share? 1. Have you ever struggled to see the depth of your depravity, how far you have come? 2. Have you felt the pull to constantly desire more? How ...

Cornelius helped poor people. Cornelius loved God. “God sent the good news to his people. It’s good news about the peace Jesus brings.” Acts 10:36 Let’s be honest, we all make judgments about people, especially people who are different from us. We make comparisons of performance, looks, and intelligence. We make racial and socio-economic judgments. We make judgments to elevate our feelings about ourselves, to protect our family, and even to defend our religious beliefs. Peter, in a manner similar to us, carried around judgments. ...

Tell of God’s love. (Acts 4:1-22) “So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Today your child learned that missionaries tell people all over the world about God’s love. The children learned from Peter’s example that we can tell people about God’s love even when others try to stop us. They also learned that there are many different ways to share the message of God’s love. Use these ideas to ...

“Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7). Because God loves us, we can love others. How can you as a family show greater love to one another? How can you as a family show God’s love to others outside your family? Make a goal for the week, and get started loving! Trace your hand on a sheet of construction paper. Write “Love comes from God” on the palm of your paper hand; then on each finger, write something that you love about a ...

In my message this past weekend, I taught on the passage in the book of Judges that deals with the assassination of Eglon, king of Moab at the hand of Ehud. Here's the text: "Ehud then approached him (king Eglon) while he was sitting alone in the upper room of his palace and said, “I have a message from God for you.” As the king rose from his seat, Ehud reached with his left hand, drew the sword from his right thigh and plunged it into the king’s belly. Even the handle sank in after the blade, and his bowels discharged. Ehud did not ...

Ready, Willing and Armed with a Cattle Prod Ordinary People, Extraordinary God April 28, 2013 Judges 3:7-31 1. Read Lamentations 3:19-26 together. Continue to work on memorizing these verses and sharing what God is saying to you through them. 2. Read Judges 3 as a group. What did you learn from the sermon? What else do you see in this chapter in the stories of Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar? 1. Have you experienced the pattern of rebellion, retribution, repentance, and rescue in your life? What does this pattern t ...

"But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness" (1 John 1:9). It's been said that confession is good for the soul. Does anyone in the family need to confess to any other family member? There's no better time than the present! Does your family have any confessions to make as a group? Have family members think about sins they need to confess to God. Have each family member use a washable marker to write one or more of those sins on a plastic foam meat tray o ...

God loves us all. (Acts 10:1-48) “Then Peter replies, ‘I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right’” (Acts 10:34-35). Today your child learned that it doesn’t matter if people are rich or poor; what they do for a living; or what they look like – God loves all people the same. The children learned that God gave people different talents and abilities, but we’re all connected by God’s love. Use these ideas to help your child learn that God loves everyone. Fold ...

The beggar was healed. The beggar praised God. Jesus said, “I’ll send you the gift my Father has promised.” Luke 24:49a Isaiah 35:1-6 speaks to the anxious and afraid, the blind and deaf, and the thirsty and weak. The prophet promises healing, joy, renewal and gladness. The beggar in Acts 3 is the fulfillment of Isaiah 35:6a, “Those who can’t walk will leap like a deer.” This promise of the blessings of the kingdom of God was for him! And while Isaiah could only look forward to it, this disabled man was one who actually e ...

Mark Warner talks about “The Battle for the Mind – Part I” at Vineyard OP’s Men’s Breakfast on April 20, 2013. Audio and notes sheet are available for download.