Passing it On

Rich Johnson, Heritage Children’s Pastor
July 5-6, 2008
Psalm 78:1-7

Outline

1. Four things to pass on to the next generation:
   a. Faith – week one
   b. Character – week two
   c. Boundaries – week three
   d. Relationships – week four


2. There are two questions that every generation must face (Psalm 87:1-3):
   a. Why do men and women continue to lack trust in God and turn from his ways?
   b. Why does God continue to be patient and merciful to men and women when they rebel?


3. We need to combine our influence: The “we” in verse four is primarily parents and secondarily “erbody” (everybody) else.


4. Purpose statement: My purpose as a parent is to create a place for my child to discover the things of God and encourage them to depend solely on Him.


5. We need to “show and tell” our faith to the next generation (vs. 4-7). Show and tell:
   a. The glory of God.
   b. The grace of God.
   c. The gift of God.

Content

1. Psalm 78 was commissioned by King David and reviews a brief history of Israel.


2. Parents should impress a biblical view of God to their children. (Psalm 78:4, Deut. 6:1-2)


3. Many times things, even good things, distract us from passing our faith on to our children.


4. We need to evaluate where we put our values; it is okay to say no to things in order to put our faith first.


5. Everybody (grandparents, neighbors, friends, teachers, etc.) needs to be involved in passing on faith to children. (Proverbs 22:6)


6. We need to pass on our faith by sharing the glory, grace and gift of God (Psalm 78:4-7)
   

Aim
It is the responsibility of parents and everyone alike to pass along our faith in Jesus Christ to the next generation.

Application Questions

1. Why do men and women continue to lack trust in God and turn from his ways?


2. Why does God continue to be patient and merciful to men and women when they rebel?


3. What is your biggest distraction that prevents you from passing your faith on to your children?


4. Discuss the following statement, “What is one generation's luxury becomes the next generation's necessity.”


5. Share the “erbody” (everybody) in your children’s lives and your own. How have they encouraged faith in your children and your own life?


6. How do you share the glory, grace and gift of God?

June 28-29, 2008 Continue The Jesus Way

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
Acts 29 Jesus Said/The Church Did/We Continue The Jesus Way
Jim Zippay, June 28-29, 20008
Luke 24 and Acts 28

Outline
I. Extending the Invitation (Luke 5:1-11, Acts 11)
II. Entering the Community (Act 2, 4:24)
III. Experiencing the Power (Acts 15:9)
IV. Embracing the People (Acts 4:18)
V. Expanding the Kingdom (Acts 19:18)

Content
1. C. S. Lewis said that God whispers to us in our joy, speaks to us in our conscious and shouts in our pain.
2. Making room for one more is not just a slogan, it’s a mandate.
3. Commitment to membership is not required but strengthens, not lessens our commitment to the church, which is expected.
4. When you belong to the church, your people group changes from being based on family, race, ethnicity, culture, nationality to followers of Jesus, a “new tribe”.
5. The power and authority given to followers of Jesus is so now as much as then.
6. We should be more like a hospital than a resort.
7. Jesus doesn’t ask us to trivialize or erase the traditions of the past; however, don’t make them a yoke for new believers to get in.
8. We should talk more about the essence of the kingdom in terms of “Good News” or “Blessings” for those who believe.
9. Following Jesus should have more impact on us than what we do on Sunday; it should influence all the areas of our lives.

Aim
Our commitment to “The Jesus Way” should be a blessing to our individual lives and to the nations.

Application Questions
I. Do you think God is trying to whisper, speak or shout to you or someone you know?
II. Can you describe what steps you have taken since you decided to follow Jesus?
III. How has your commitment to Jesus made an impact on your church?
IV. How have you embraced your “new tribe” of believers? Have you felt embraced? Why or why not?
V. How do you use the power and authority of your gifts to serve Christ?
VI. What yokes have you been inclined to put on people with the lines you draw?
VII. How do you speak of the gospel or the kingdom in terms of good news, blessings?