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Copyright ©2011 The Church at Brook Hills www.brookhills.org

Family  Worship  Guide  –  Week  15    

READ    This  week,   our   study   in   the  book  of  Acts   focuses  on  examples  of   the   early   church   serving   the  world.     As   followers   of  Christ,  we  know  we  are  called  to  love  our  neighbors  as  ourselves.    Jesus  Himself  tied  love  for  God  to  love  for  our  neighbor  and  said  the  entire  law  hinged  on  these  two  commands  (Mt.  22:37-­‐40).  

 The  primary  way  the  early  church  carried  out  this  mission  to  serve  the  world,  at  least  as  we  see  it  presented  in  the  book  of  Acts,  was  through  the  preaching  of  the  gospel.    While  the  early  church  sacrificially  provided  for  one  another  with  their  material  resources  (Acts  2:43-­‐46;  4:32-­‐37),  the  primary  way  they  sought  to  love  the  world  was  through  the  proclamation  of  the  gospel.    In  other  words,  while  we  see  the  early  church’s  passionate  concern  for  urgent  physical  needs  among  the  members  of  the  covenant  community,  they  focused  on  meeting  the  urgent  spiritual  needs  of  the  world  meaning  those  who  were  not  in  Christ.  

 The  church  served   the  world   in   the  book  of  Acts  by  obeying   Jesus’   command  to  be  His  witnesses   in   Jerusalem,   Judea,  Samaria,  and  to  the  ends  of  the  earth  (Acts  1:8).  

 This  week’s  family  worship  passage  focuses  on  the  beginning  of  the  apostle  Paul’s  first  missionary  journey.    Read  Acts  13:13-­‐43.    In  this  passage,  we  see  Paul  and  Barnabas  taking  the  gospel  to  a  city  called  Antioch  in  Pisidia.    When  they   got   to   the   city   they   entered   into   the   synagogue   (the   place   where   Jews   met   to   study   the   Old   Testament)   and  preached  the  gospel  when  they  were  given  the  opportunity.    In  his  sermon,  Paul  shows  that  Jesus  is  the  fulfillment  of  the  Old  Testament  promises  to  Israel.    He  is  the  Messiah,  the  Son  of  David  that  the  Old  Testament  had  promised.    Read  Acts  13:44-­‐52.    At  first,  the  Jews  who  heard  Paul’s  sermon  were  interested  in  it  and  asked  him  to  come  back  and  preach  again  the  next  week.    But  some  of  their  rulers  became  jealous  and  began  to  argue  with  Paul.    These  leaders  led  the  Jewish  people  to  reject  the  gospel  that  Paul  was  preaching  to  them.     In  response,  Paul  and  Barnabas  declared  that  they  would  now  take  the  gospel  to  the  Gentiles  (13:46).    It  is  extremely  important  that  we  recognize  this  was  not  God’s  Plan  B.  God  planned  to  send  the  gospel  to  the  Gentiles  as  part  of  His  eternal  plan   to  bless  all  nations   in  Christ.     In  order   to  demonstrate   this,  Paul  quotes   from   Isaiah  49:6   (Acts  13:47).    The  point  is  that  God’s  plan  from  the  beginning  has  been  for  all  nations  to  worship  Him,  not  just  one  nation.    As  the  church  preaches  the  gospel,  God  carries  out  His  plan  to  bring  salvation  to  all  nations.    When  the  Gentiles  heard  that  God  had  sent  Christ  for  their  salvation  and  not  only  for  the  salvation  of  the  Jews,  many  of  them  rejoiced  and  believed  the  gospel.    Verse  48  tells  us  that  “as  many  as  were  appointed  to  eternal  life  believed.”    In  other  words,  God  gave  them  the  faith  to  believe  the  gospel  that  Paul  had  preached  to  them.    This   is  why  we  can  have  confidence  when  we  preach  the  gospel  to  our  neighbors  in  Birmingham  and  when  we  take  it  to  all  nations,  because  God  is   the  One  who  powerfully  works   to  bring  people   to   faith   in   Jesus  Christ.     The   result  was   that   the  Word   continued   to  increase  throughout  the  whole  region  (13:49).    The  Word  of  the  Lord  could  not  be  stopped.    This  does  not  mean  we  will  never  experience  trials.    The  Jewish  leaders  were  not  happy  the  gospel  was  spreading  to  the  Gentiles,  so  they  persecuted  Paul  and  Barnabas  and  they  had  to  flee  the  city  (13:50).    But  even  this  could  not  stop  the  spread   of   the   gospel.     Paul   and   Barnabas   left   Pisidia   in   Antioch   and   took   the   gospel   to   other   cities   (13:51),   and   the  disciples  in  the  city  were  filled  with  joy  and  the  Holy  Spirit  (13:52).    Questions:  How  can  you  individually  and  as  a  family  serve  the  world  through  taking  the  gospel  to  Birmingham  and  all  nations?  How  does  the  reality  that  God  appoints  people  to  eternal  life  give  you  confidence  in  preaching  the  gospel?  Why  do  you  think  Paul  and  Barnabas  continued  preaching  the  gospel  in  the  face  of  persecution?    How  will  you  continue  to  serve  the  world  through  preaching  the  gospel  when  persecution  comes  your  way?  Why  do  you  think  the  disciples  in  Pisidia  were  filled  with  joy,  even  after  they  saw  Paul  and  Barnabas  chased  out  of  the  city?    

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Bottom  Line:    God  desires  to  bring  salvation  to  all  nations,  and  He  accomplishes  this  plan  through  the  church’s  preaching  of  the  gospel.    

PRAY  On  March  11,  2011  at  2:48am  a  9.0  magnitude  earthquake  hit  Japan  of  the  eastern  coast.    This   is  the   largest  recorded  earthquake   in   Japan’s   history.     The   earthquake  was   immediately   followed   by   a   devastating   tsunami   that   swept   away  everything  in  its  path.    Since  then,  there  have  been  many  aftershocks  that  have  continued  to  destroy  weakened  buildings  and  strike   fear   in   the   lives  of   those  who  have   lost   so  much.    The  devastation   is  overwhelming.    As  of   this  week,  news  reports  show  that  more  than  15,000  people  have  perished  and  over  12,000  are  still  missing.    Buildings  and  homes  have  been   destroyed   and   approximately   150,000   people   have   been   left   homeless.     As  we   hear   stories   and   see   pictures   of  death  and  disaster,  let  us  remember  that  more  than  99%  of  those  who  died  never  heard  the  gospel.    The  areas  affected  by  the  earthquake  and  tsunamis  of  Miyagi,  Fukushima  and  Ibaraki  are  some  of  the  most  spiritually  needy  places  in  Japan.    With   over   4.9   million   people   only   0.15%   are   evangelical   Christians.     Japan   is   a   physically   rich   country   but   spiritually  impoverished   and   the   church   is   weak   in   unity   and   discipleship.     With   the   added   devastation   of   the   earthquake   and  tsunami,   let   us   pray   for   the   strengthening   of   the   church   and   for   the   gospel   to   spread   to   those   in   great   physical   and  spiritual  need.    

SING  This  week’s  song  is   ‘Emmanuel’  written  by  Josh  Poore.    As  we  have  studied  in  Acts  about  how  God  has  made  salvation  available  for  the  whole  world  (Jews  and  Gentiles),  we  are  reminded  about  how  the  Gospel  really  is  “good  news.”    Creator  God   has  made   us   in  His   image.     He   is   holy   and   hates   sin.     However,  we   choose   sin   rather   than   choosing  Him.     He   is  gracious  towards  us  and  has  provided  a  way  back  to  Him.    He  sent  His  son,  Jesus  Christ,  to  be  born  as  a  man,  to  live  life  here  on  the  earth,  to  die  a  cruel  death  on  a  cross,  appeasing  God’s  wrath  towards  sin.    Through  the  death  of  Christ,  we  can  now  have  a  relationship  with  God  because  our  sins  are   forgiven,  and  we  are  made  right  with  Him.    This  grace  has  been  made  available  to  all  people.    ‘Emmanuel’  is  a  song  about  the  Gospel.    It  speaks  of  God’s  unchanging  nature,  His  promise  to  provide  a  way  back  to  Him,  the  fact  that  He  has  become  one  of  us.    This  results  in  our  heartfelt  praise  to  Him:    “You  are  our  God,  You  do  not  change,  Emmanuel   God  with   us,   everyday!”    We  must   be   careful   never   to   take   the   Gospel   for   granted,   but  we  must   remind  ourselves   and   we   must   remind   each   other   of   His   great   love   for   us.   Then   we   sing   of   our   desire   to   follow   Him   and  accomplish  the  great  commission,  taking  the  Gospel  to  all  peoples.    We  have  been  saved  from  sin  and  death.    We  must  spend  our  lives  to  tell  the  world  that  Jesus  saves.  

 

MEMORIZE  Acts  13:47    “For  so   the  Lord  has  commanded  us,   saying,   ‘I  have  made  you  a   light   for   the  Gentiles,   that  you  may  bring  salvation  to  the  ends  of  the  earth.’”    

SUGGESTIONS  These   suggestions  were   created   by   the   age-­‐group  ministry   leaders   as   a  way   to   help   parents   better   communicate   the  biblical   truths   discussed   in   the   Family  Worship  Guide.     These   suggestions   are   intended   to  help   parents   facilitate  God-­‐centered   discussions   with   their   children.     Parents   should   prayerfully   use   these   suggestions,   and   any   other   means  necessary,  to  help  their  children  discover  the  truths  of  God’s  word  and  worship  Him  together.  

 Preschool  

• Before  you  begin,  locate  several  candles,  a  candle  candleholder  that  will  hold  three  or  more  candles,  and  a  lighter.    • Read  Acts  13:47.  • Tell  your  preschooler  you  are  going  to  show  them  something,  but  they  are  to  be  very  still,  remain  seated  and  watch  only  

with  their  eyes.  • Light  one  candle  and  turn  out  the  lights.  • Explain  to  your  preschooler  this  one  candle  puts  out  a  little  light  and  can  help  us  see  when  the  room  is  dark.      • Say:  Jesus  wants  us  to  be  a  light  to  those  around  us.  What  do  you  think  would  happen  if  I  use  the  one  lit  candle  to  light  all  

of  the  other  candles  together?  (Light  each  candle.)  What  did  you  see  happen?  (There  is  more  light.)    We  can  see  better,  and  by  passing  the  flame  from  one  candle  to  the  next,  we  could  light  up  this  room  in  no  time.  

• The  light  helps  us  see  everything  in  the  room  and  see  the  way  we  need  to  go.  Jesus  wants  us  to  be  a  light  as  we  tell  

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people  about  Him  and  show  them  the  way  they  need  to  go.  

• Say:  When  God’s  followers  shine  their  lights,  we  are  bringing  the  good  news  of  Jesus  to  everyone  around  us.  God  wants  us  to  carry  the  news  to  all  the  people  of  the  world.  God  wants  everyone  to  know  that  Jesus  is  the  Savior  of  the  world.  

• Questions:  Did  you  know  that  some  people  live  their  whole  lives  in  darkness  without  ever  knowing  Jesus?  What  if  there  were  no  candles,  lights,  stars,  sun  or  streetlights?    What  if  it  were  completely  dark  all  the  time?    That  one  small  candle  added  a  little  light,  but  all  the  candles  together  lit  up  the  whole  room.    Whose  job  is  it  to  spread  the  good  news  (the  light)  about  Jesus?  It’s  our  job  as  believers  and  followers  of  Jesus.  God  wants  us  to  tell  all  the  nations  about  Jesus.  We  can  show  Jesus’  love  to  others  and  be  like  a  light  for  them  in  the  darkness.  Jesus  says  that  we  should  shine  brightly  for  Him,  just  like  the  candles.    That  means  we  should  show  others  Jesus’  love  so  they  will  praise  Him  and  know  Him,  too.  

• The  Bible  says  Jesus  wants  us  to  be  a  light  and  guide  to  others.  Let’s  think  of  some  ways  to  shine  our  lights  to  others.  Jesus  wants  to  use  you  to  make  a  difference  in  the  world.  

• Conclude  by  re-­‐reading  Acts  13:47.        

Children  • This  week’s  reading  focuses  on  an  event  during  Paul’s  first  missionary  journey.    It  may  not  be  very  familiar  to  your  

children,  so  simply  reread  the  passage  focusing  on  who  Paul  and  Barnabas  are  interacting  with  in  Pisidia.  • Use  a  map  of  Paul’s  missionary  journeys  from  your  Bible  to  show  how  far  the  gospel  message  has  traveled  from  

Jerusalem  where  Christ  was  crucified.  • As  Paul  and  Barnabas  serve  the  world,  they  are  going  farther  and  farther  from  home  to  share  the  good  news  about  Jesus.    

This  is  because  God  never  intended  for  salvation  to  be  only  for  the  Jews  but  for  all  people  in  the  world.  • When  Paul  and  Barnabas  entered  this  town,  where  did  they  go  first?    (Jewish  synagogue)    What  was  the  Jews’  response  

to  the  good  news  that  Paul  shared  (vs.  42-­‐44)?  This  must  have  been  very  exciting  for  Paul  and  Barnabas,  and  they  probably  looked  forward  to  teaching  again  the  next  week.  

• On  the  following  Sabbath,  the  rulers  of  the  town  became  jealous  of  Paul’s  new  teaching.    How  did  they  treat  Paul  and  Barnabas  now  (v.  45)?    A  week  prior  everyone  wanted  to  hear  their  message,  but  this  time  they  are  in  the  middle  of  opposition  and  persecution  again.  

• This  might  seem  like  things  aren’t  working  out  for  Paul  and  Barnabas.    But  actually  this  is  exactly  how  God  had  planned  it.    The  gospel  is  rejected  by  the  Jews,  but  the  Gentiles  (non-­‐Jews)  are  “rejoicing  and  glorifying  the  word  of  the  Lord”  (v.  48).    This  doesn’t  mean  that  Paul  and  Barnabas  had  to  find  a  new  plan  or  strategy.    This,  however,  is  God  fulfilling  a  promise  he  made  2000  years  before  to  the  father  of  the  Jewish  nation,  Abraham.    God  had  promised  Abraham  that  He  would  bless  all  nations  through  him  (Gen.  12:3),  and  now  the  Gentiles  are  receiving  the  blessing  of  salvation.  

• Read  Acts  13:40.    How  many  Gentiles  believed?    (“…as  many  as  were  appointed  to  eternal  life…”)    This  should  give  us  amazing  confidence  and  boldness  as  we  serve  the  world  by  being  witnesses  to  the  gospel.    

• God  doesn’t  need  us  to  save  anyone,  but  He  allows  us  the  joy  of  sharing  our  faith  with  others  so  we  can  see  Him  at  work.    We  simply  tell  the  story,  and  God  draws  people  to  Himself.    

• How  does  this  truth  give  you  confidence  as  you  tell  your  friends  and  neighbors  about  Jesus?    It  is  your  job  to  tell  the  story,  and  God  will  draw  people  to  Himself.  

• Lastly,  how  did  Paul  and  Barnabas  respond  to  continued  persecution  as  they  preached  the  gospel  (vs.  51)?  They  just  continued  on  their  mission.    They  didn’t  stop  because  someone  didn’t  receive  the  message.    They  simply  went  on  to  the  next  person  and  the  next  town  with  full  faith  that  God  was  in  control.  

• What  will  you  do  if  you  tell  your  friend  about  Jesus  and  they  don’t  want  to  become  a  Christ-­‐follower?    Or  what  if  they  make  fun  of  you?    Let’s  follow  Paul  and  Barnabas’s  example  and  trust  God  as  we  pray  for  that  person,  but  then  continue  in  faith  to  share  Jesus  with  someone  else.    This  is  how  we  serve  the  world.    

Students  • Read  Acts  13:47.  • In  this  passage,  it’s  easy  for  us  to  see  the  Lord  commanding  Paul  to  be  the  preacher.  We  must  remember  that  Paul  was  

quoting  from  Isaiah  49:6  where  the  responsibility  to  be  “a  light  to  all  nations”  was  given  to  all  servants  of  the  Lord.    • As  a  family,  discuss  what  it  means  to  be  a  servant  of  the  Lord.  • Ask  each  member  of  your  family  to  list  ways  they  could  be  a  light  for  the  gospel.  What  opportunities  have  you  had  to  “be  

a  light”  in  the  last  month?  • Parents,  remind  your  family  of  your  own  fears  and  feelings  of  inadequacy  when  proclaiming  the  Word.  It’s  ok  to  have  

feelings  of  fear  as  long  as  we  don’t  let  them  stop  us  from  being  obedient  to  God,  and  it’s  feelings  of  self-­‐sufficiency  that  will  destroy  us.    Both  should  drive  us  toward  greater  dependency  on  the  Lord.  

• Close  your  time  together  reading  2  Corinthians  12:9.  

Pra

yer

W

eek

15

Loca

l

Loca

l Chu

rch:

Asb

ury

Met

hodi

st -

Kip

Laxs

on

Focu

s: O

ssie

War

e M

itche

ll M

iddl

e Sc

hool

O

utre

ach

- an

East

Lak

e ar

ea 6

th-8

th g

rade

sc

hool

in th

e Bi

rmin

gham

City

Sch

ool D

istr

ict.

Mon

day:

Pra

y fo

r G

od to

gra

nt w

isdo

m a

nd

unde

rsta

ndin

g to

the

prin

cipa

l, ad

min

istr

ator

s,

teac

hers

, vol

unte

ers

and

staff

as

they

inve

st in

le

adin

g an

d ed

ucati

ng s

tude

nts.

The

pri

ncip

al,

Mrs

. Jon

es, i

s a

Chri

st-f

ollo

wer

.

Tues

day:

Pra

y th

at G

od w

ould

pen

etra

te

OW

MM

S w

ith th

e go

spel

thro

ugh

stud

ents

, te

ache

rs, v

olun

teer

s, a

nd s

taff

mem

bers

that

are

Ch

rist

-fol

low

ers.

Wed

nesd

ay: P

ray

that

stu

dent

s’ p

aren

ts o

r ca

regi

vers

wou

ld ta

ke a

n ac

tive

role

in th

eir

spir

itual

and

aca

dem

ic e

duca

tion.

Thur

sday

: Pra

y fo

r G

od to

pro

tect

the

hear

ts

and

min

ds o

f stu

dent

s as

they

are

exp

osed

dai

ly

to m

any

nega

tive

influ

ence

s an

d te

mpt

ation

s in

th

e ar

ea.

Frid

ay: P

ray

that

God

wou

ld p

rovi

de O

WM

MS

with

the

fund

ing

and

lead

ers

need

ed to

giv

e st

uden

ts in

Eas

t Lak

e a

qual

ity e

duca

tion.

Satu

rday

: Pra

y fo

r G

od to

sen

d m

ore

Broo

k H

ills’

m

embe

rs a

nd o

ther

s to

vol

unte

er to

men

tor,

tuto

r an

d co

ach

stud

ents

.

Cop

yrig

ht ©

2011

The

Chu

rch

at B

rook

Hill

s

Glo

bal

This

wee

k w

e ar

e pr

ayin

g fo

r th

e ch

urch

and

pe

ople

of J

apan

.

Mon

day:

Pra

y fo

r th

ose

who

hav

e lo

st th

eir

love

d on

es a

nd fo

r th

ose

who

are

stil

l sea

rchi

ng.

Pray

that

God

wou

ld re

veal

Him

self

amid

st g

rief

an

d pa

in.

Tues

day:

Pra

y fo

r th

e ch

urch

in Ja

pan

and

arou

nd th

e w

orld

to re

spon

d w

ith c

ompa

ssio

n an

d th

e go

spel

. Pr

ay fo

r w

isdo

m to

kno

w b

est

how

to re

spon

d an

d se

rve

the

peop

le o

f Jap

an.

Wed

nesd

ay: P

ray

for

God

to o

pen

the

hear

ts o

f m

any

Japa

nese

and

for

peop

le to

kno

w C

hris

t.

Thur

sday

: Pra

y fo

r offi

cial

s an

d w

orke

rs w

ho

are

tryi

ng to

con

tain

the

spre

ad o

f rad

iatio

n du

e to

the

dam

aged

Fuk

ushi

ma

nucl

ear

pow

er

plan

ts.

Pray

for

the

peop

le w

ho h

ave

been

ev

acua

ted

from

thei

r ho

mes

in th

e su

rrou

ndin

g co

mm

unity

.

Frid

ay: W

eeks

aft

er th

e ea

rthq

uake

, hea

vy

after

shoc

ks a

nd o

ther

unr

elat

ed e

arth

quak

es

are

still

bein

g fe

lt th

roug

hout

Japa

n, w

ith n

o w

ay o

f kno

win

g ho

w lo

ng th

ese

eart

hqua

kes

will

con

tinue

. Ple

ase

pray

that

the

eart

hqua

kes

will

cea

se.

Satu

rday

: Pra

y fo

r G

od to

gra

nt w

isdo

m to

the

Japa

nese

gov

ernm

ent a

nd to

thos

e de

alin

g w

ith

the

ongo

ing

cris

is.

Live

s/Ch

urch

God

is s

over

eign

and

sup

rem

e an

d w

orth

y of

our

wor

ship

. Pr

ay th

is w

eek

that

you

wou

ld b

e ca

ptiva

ted

by th

e gl

ory

and

beau

ty o

f God

in a

ll H

is a

ttri

bute

s. P

ray

as w

ell t

hat o

ur in

divi

dual

live

s w

ould

be

a pl

easi

ng a

rom

a to

Him

as

we

are

com

pelle

d by

the

gosp

el to

live

in h

olin

ess,

pur

ity a

nd

trut

h. A

lso,

pra

y th

at o

ur c

orpo

rate

tim

es o

f wor

ship

wou

ld b

e G

od-c

ente

red,

Chr

ist-

focu

sed

and

Spir

it-em

pow

ered

. Em

man

uel

By Jo

sh P

oore

Intr

o:

Cm

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e 1:

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e th

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ecto

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us:

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our

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se

Copy

righ

t©20

09 Jo

sh P

oore

/Bro

ok H

ills

Mus

ic

Scri

ptur

e M

emor

y“F

or s

o th

e Lo

rd h

as c

omm

ande

d us

, say

ing,

‘I h

ave

mad

e yo

u a

light

for

the

Gen

tiles

, tha

t yo

u m

ay b

ring

sal

vatio

n to

the

ends

of t

he e

arth

.’” A

cts

13:4

7