Grace Church
Make A Difference - #2 In Your Family
God has given us everything we need to make a difference in our life, family, church, community, and world.
Locations & Times
Grace Community Church
8950 M-79, Nashville, MI 49073, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
Our theme for the month of October is Make a Difference.
It's pretty simple to understand, but seemingly difficult for people to carry out. It requires a desire to reorganize one's life around kingdom priorities, and a willingness to live life with an eternal perspective and not an earthly one.
It's pretty simple to understand, but seemingly difficult for people to carry out. It requires a desire to reorganize one's life around kingdom priorities, and a willingness to live life with an eternal perspective and not an earthly one.
Review from last week:
Matthew 5:14-16 [NLT]
How do I make a difference in my life?
1. We must be SAVED (personal relationship with Jesus) which results in a new IDENTITY.
2. We should be CHANGED which implies a new PRIORITY.
God has to do something in you before He can do something through you!
Matthew 5:14-16 [NLT]
How do I make a difference in my life?
1. We must be SAVED (personal relationship with Jesus) which results in a new IDENTITY.
2. We should be CHANGED which implies a new PRIORITY.
God has to do something in you before He can do something through you!
Today we are going to look at Making a Difference in our Family.
Every masterpiece reveals something about its creator. The same is true of God. He has a design and purpose for the family. (Genesis 1:27-28)
There are two essential elements of a family: Marriage and Parenthood
Both of these reveal God's character like nothing else in creation. The love between a husband and wife provides a glimpse of Christ's love and devotion to us as His Bride. The ups and downs of parenthood offer a compelling picture of God's tenderness and patience toward us as His children.
A family also provides a safe place where children can experience God's love (through their parents) and learn how to love others.
Every masterpiece reveals something about its creator. The same is true of God. He has a design and purpose for the family. (Genesis 1:27-28)
There are two essential elements of a family: Marriage and Parenthood
Both of these reveal God's character like nothing else in creation. The love between a husband and wife provides a glimpse of Christ's love and devotion to us as His Bride. The ups and downs of parenthood offer a compelling picture of God's tenderness and patience toward us as His children.
A family also provides a safe place where children can experience God's love (through their parents) and learn how to love others.
The understanding of family in our current culture is increasingly becoming more and more different from the Biblical definition of the family. As Christians, our ultimate source of truth and authority comes from God's Word. Not only do we need to continue to define the family by Scripture's definition, we should also conduct our families as the Scriptures instruct us. It makes sense to seek and follow His wisdom on the subject of the family!
Talk at your table:
1 John 4:19 says, "We love because He first loved us."
How does being part of a family help you understand God's love for you?
How does it help you to learn to love others?
1 John 4:19 says, "We love because He first loved us."
How does being part of a family help you understand God's love for you?
How does it help you to learn to love others?
Families are the building blocks of civilization. Strong families make for strong communities. Family breakdown harms society as a whole.
The respect and admiration Americans have for faith, family, values, patriotism, and community involvement has dropped dramatically.
Many events and cultural changes have shaped the change in families over the years.
The respect and admiration Americans have for faith, family, values, patriotism, and community involvement has dropped dramatically.
Many events and cultural changes have shaped the change in families over the years.
The Prophet Hosea lived in the midst of a religious society that had lost its moral compass. Less than 300 years after the reign of King David, the nation of Israel was adrift and wallowing in an ocean of moral and cultural chaos. Hosea's description of Israel in 710 BC is a haunting picture of America as it enters the next century.
Hosea 4:14b
Hosea 4:14b
So what is a family to do? We must step into the light and answer some very important questions:
- Is a just society possible without absolute values? Without God?
- When does life begin?
- What is a family?
- Is a just society possible without absolute values? Without God?
- When does life begin?
- What is a family?
There are two lies that have flooded into our politically correct culture with respect to the family:
1. All families are equal.
The hard truth is, God's design for the family is one man, one woman, coming together, committed to each other and their kids for life. No one has been able to improve on this arrangement of God's.
2. Children are quick to recover from divorce and other family crises.
The wounds of parental desertion, rejection, and divorce linger for a lifetime. Childhood is the core of life. It must begin solidly. If our core is wounded or damaged, these flaws will eventually surface in adulthood. Children are deeply affected by their family structure.
1. All families are equal.
The hard truth is, God's design for the family is one man, one woman, coming together, committed to each other and their kids for life. No one has been able to improve on this arrangement of God's.
2. Children are quick to recover from divorce and other family crises.
The wounds of parental desertion, rejection, and divorce linger for a lifetime. Childhood is the core of life. It must begin solidly. If our core is wounded or damaged, these flaws will eventually surface in adulthood. Children are deeply affected by their family structure.
The American family is declining. Family life is changing as two-parent households are on the decline. The number of births has also declined in the U.S. for the 6th straight year.
How do we strengthen marriages and promote the well-being of our children? How do we make a difference in our families?
It has to start with us as believers...we have to evaluate our commitment to Christ. If we as parents are the example to our kids of church attendance and commitment, there will be trouble. If the only exposure to Biblical truth happens in just 45 minutes on a Sunday morning, it's understandable why young people leave the home without a Christian worldview and why many are falling from the faith.
Proverbs 22:6
How do we strengthen marriages and promote the well-being of our children? How do we make a difference in our families?
It has to start with us as believers...we have to evaluate our commitment to Christ. If we as parents are the example to our kids of church attendance and commitment, there will be trouble. If the only exposure to Biblical truth happens in just 45 minutes on a Sunday morning, it's understandable why young people leave the home without a Christian worldview and why many are falling from the faith.
Proverbs 22:6
Ephesians 6:1-4
The modern version of Ephesians 6:1 goes something like this: "Parents, obey your children, for this will keep them happy and bring peace to the home."
Disobedience to parents is rebellion against God!
The modern version of Ephesians 6:1 goes something like this: "Parents, obey your children, for this will keep them happy and bring peace to the home."
Disobedience to parents is rebellion against God!
Colossians 3:18-21
Paul's primary goal in Colossians 3 is to help us understand what it means to live as people who are "IN Christ."
We can't look at these verses as just simple rules or commands. If so, we'll miss the true significance of what God is trying to do in and through these relationships.
Paul's primary goal in Colossians 3 is to help us understand what it means to live as people who are "IN Christ."
We can't look at these verses as just simple rules or commands. If so, we'll miss the true significance of what God is trying to do in and through these relationships.
Application:
1. CHILDREN - obey your parents in everything for this pleases the Lord.
Colossians 3:20
1. CHILDREN - obey your parents in everything for this pleases the Lord.
Colossians 3:20
2. PARENTS - bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:4
One of the most fundamental things we must teach our kids is how to respect authority. As your children learn to honor and live in obedience to you, they will learn to honor God and those God has placed in authority over them.
Parents should not tolerate willful defiance and disrespect from their kids.
Proverbs 13:24 [NLT]
Ephesians 6:4
One of the most fundamental things we must teach our kids is how to respect authority. As your children learn to honor and live in obedience to you, they will learn to honor God and those God has placed in authority over them.
Parents should not tolerate willful defiance and disrespect from their kids.
Proverbs 13:24 [NLT]
3. CHRISTIANS - encourage one another and build each other up.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
If we care about the well-being of society, then we will encourage the formation of healthy families even among non-believers.
There is no better way to do this than by example and through personal interaction with others as we live as salt and light in the world.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
If we care about the well-being of society, then we will encourage the formation of healthy families even among non-believers.
There is no better way to do this than by example and through personal interaction with others as we live as salt and light in the world.
May we seek the well-being of our society and encourage strong families where children will be taught to honor authority and to obey God.
Making disciples starts in our homes with our children.
At Grace Church we have Grace U classes to strengthen your marriage and family. Grace also provides many opportunities to serve together at church and in the community.
Making disciples starts in our homes with our children.
At Grace Church we have Grace U classes to strengthen your marriage and family. Grace also provides many opportunities to serve together at church and in the community.
Difference Maker Declaration:
I was made for more than watching.
I have a history-changing, difference-making, life-giving, Spirit-empowered legacy to leave behind.
Jesus, I ask You to work deeply in me and clearly through me as I pray, give, and go in Your love.
I am a Difference Maker.
I will live like a Difference Maker starting now.
In Jesus’ name, Amen!
I was made for more than watching.
I have a history-changing, difference-making, life-giving, Spirit-empowered legacy to leave behind.
Jesus, I ask You to work deeply in me and clearly through me as I pray, give, and go in Your love.
I am a Difference Maker.
I will live like a Difference Maker starting now.
In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Website
https://gc3.org/Giving Link
https://gc3.org/giving/Breeze Church Management
At Grace we use a secure directory/giving service called Breeze Church Management. Creating your personal account allows you to contact others in the church family, keep your contact information updated, and keep track of your giving if that is important to you, and/or create an online giving account.
Use the link below to get started or to login if you already have an account.
https://gc3.org/login/CJ's Coffee Shop Pre-Order Link
https://gc3.org/cjs/Grace U Classes
A couple of new Grace U classes are starting up in October.
40 Days to a Joy-Filled Life and Discipling as Jesus Discipled
Check them out and sign-up at the link below!
https://gc3.org/grace-university/Bible Reading Plan
We hope you are taking advantage of the 2023 Bible reading plan. This also includes devotionals from Pastor Josh each week. Paper copies can also be found on the resource wall in CJ's.
https://gc3.org/bible/The Greenhouse Project
https://gc3.org/tgp/Lisa's Blog - Worship Moments
https://gc3.org/worship-moments/H.O.M.E. Groups
New groups are getting started soon. Visit the website to learn about what groups are available and when they meet.
Unsure of what group might be a good fit for you? Contact the church office and we can help (grace@gc3.org).
https://gc3.org/home-groups/Trunk or Treat
Here's how you can get involved:
-Donate candy to be used during the event. There are totes in the center of the lobby to place the candy in.
-Sign-up to participate in the event taking place on Tuesday, October 31st from 5:30-7:00 pm. There is a paper sign-up on the central kiosk in the lobby or sign-up online at the link below.
-Pray for the event. This is a great opportunity for us to show God's love to families in our community. We will also be sharing a tract about knowing Jesus and an invitation to join us at Grace Church on Sunday mornings.
-Share the event on Facebook and help spread the word to your family and friends. Keep in mind that our rain location is the Nashville Fire Barn.
-Contact Jacki Van De Moortel (fishism0296@gmail.com) if you have any questions.
https://gc3.breezechms.com/form/8bda2492Operation Christmas Child
Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes and labels are available in the lobby. Filled boxes are due back to the display in the lobby no later than October 29th. If you would like to build a shoebox online, use the link below. Not familiar with Operation Christmas Child? Visit their website to learn all about this opportunity you have to share the Gospel with children and their families around the world.
https://sampur.se/48xhuezThings You Make and Do Survey
On Sunday we began our October series called Make A Difference. We all have so much to offer the world around us and that could happen through the goods and services we provide or through our hobbies and interests. We asked everyone to fill out a "Things You Make and Do" form. You can access this online at the link below. If you would like to fill out a paper copy, visit the welcome kiosk on Sunday. If you took a paper copy home to fill out you can turn it in at the welcome kiosk on Sunday. Thank you!
https://gc3.breezechms.com/form/364feeGrace Church Work Days
Each Saturday in October 9:00 am to 12:00 pm (or whatever time you can give). Contact Ryan Hickey (ryan@gc3.org) if you have questions.
We hope you will pick a Saturday in October to join us!
If you have them available, please bring: work gloves, wheelbarrow, hedge trimmer (or whatever you have to cut bushes and grasses).
We hope you will pick a Saturday in October to join us!
If you have them available, please bring: work gloves, wheelbarrow, hedge trimmer (or whatever you have to cut bushes and grasses).
Birthdays and Anniversaries We're Celebrating This Week!
Saturday, October 7th - Klara Stephens, Bret & Cass Ramey
Sunday, October 8th - Kim Walters
Monday, October 9th - Crew Pederson
Tuesday, October 10th - David Vanderlugt, Emily Golden
Thursday, October 12th - David Shaver
Friday, October 13th - Evelyn Coblentz, David & Connie Berkimer
Sunday, October 8th - Kim Walters
Monday, October 9th - Crew Pederson
Tuesday, October 10th - David Vanderlugt, Emily Golden
Thursday, October 12th - David Shaver
Friday, October 13th - Evelyn Coblentz, David & Connie Berkimer