Element Christian Church
Not So Little Women: Week 4 -Rebekah
Locations & Times
Element Christian Church
4890 Bethany Ln, Santa Maria, CA 93455, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 10:45 AM
Welcome to Element
We strive to ensure the biggest thing people think when they hear about Element is Jesus! We are a Gospel centered community who finds our identity in Jesus.
4th Friday Film and Fun
We want to offer a great opportunity for eKids' parents to have a couple hours of FREE TIME to themselves, while their kids (1st-5th grades) have a fun-filled night of games, crafts, food, and a movie!
https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/people/forms/512459Costume Sunday
Bring your kids in their non-scary costumes to enjoy a quick parade next Sunday, October 29th
Pumpkin Killin'
Invite your friends, neighbors, and coworkers! Our annual Pumpkin Killin is taking place a week from today from 1:30pm to 4p. <br><br>Join us for food, pumpkin carving, eating and shooting out of cannons!
Pumpkin Killin' 2023 Volunteers
We still need a lot more help! Please fill out the form at the link below if you are willing to help.
https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/people/forms/619205Suriving the Holidays
We know the holidays can be an especially difficult time in the wake of grief. Element will be offering a "Surviving the Holidays" event sponsored by our Griefshare ministry on Sunday, November 4th, from 2-4 PM in the barn. This event will feature a video and discussion covering practical tips for navigating the holiday season while grieving the loss of a loved one. We invite you, or anyone you may know, to this event to receive support for the upcoming season. For more information, please email griefshare@ourelement.org.
WE NEED HELP
We are in GREAT need of help in all areas on Sunday mornings. Time commitment can be as little as 15 minutes once a month. Please consider serving your church in some capacity.
https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/people/forms/395779Youth Winter Camp
See dates and details at link below
https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/calendar/event/140035913Stay Connected - Download the Church Center App
https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/setupThis week's song list
Interested in looking for some of the songs we sang this week? Here's the titles and original artists:<br><br>Lift Your Head Weary Sinner - Crowder<br>Glorious Day - Passion<br>Great Are You God - All Sons & Daughters<br>Reckless Love - Cory Asbury<br>What A Beautiful Name - Travis Cottrell<br>King Of My Heart - John Mark McMillan
Rebekah
We are doing a series, called Not So Little Women, where we look at the stories of different women in the Bible. Today we look at a matriarch of Israel, Rebekah.
• Who was Rebekah? – She was Isaac’s wife, the granddaughter of Abraham’s brother, and the mother of Jacob and Esau.
• What is her story? – Through specific answers to prayer, God chose Rebekah for Isaac’s wife. Isaac prayed for Rebekah and she conceived twins, Jacob and Esau. Years later, Rebekah instructed Jacob, her favorite son, to deceive his father Isaac so he would receive Esau’s blessing. As a result, Esau planned to murder Jacob, Jacob was sent away for 20 years, and Rebekah never saw her beloved son again.
1. God is faithful and good. He hears our prayers. He answers according to His plan.
God kept His covenant with Abraham by providing Rebekah as Isaac’s wife. God answered Isaac’s prayer and Rebekah conceived (twins!). God answered Rebekah’s prayer when she asked about her difficult pregnancy. Whatever the circumstances, whether there’s a need for wisdom, direction, help, healing, comfort or understanding – we can pray and have confidence that God hears us, that He is faithful, and that He will answer.
2. Forcing God’s plan to our timeline doesn’t work. We should trust God with patience.
We humans are often prideful, impatient, and fearful. Some people today thrive on being ‘in control.’ Others take control because of anxiety, distrust, etc. In reality, only God is sovereign and in control. Sometimes God asks us to take active steps of faith; many times He also asks us to wait on Him. Let’s ‘keep in step’ with God, not forcing His plan into our timeline.
3. We cannot protect/save those we love from all of their consequences.
Most people desire to protect their loved ones from pain and hurt. Today, many parents protect children from any negative consequences – even if they are deserved. In some sense ‘Cancel Culture’ does the same: If you don’t support my decisions (regardless of what they are) then you are ‘evil.’ No matter how hard we might try, we cannot be Savior. Jesus alone can save our loved ones (and us!) through the Gospel.
Ask/ Discuss:
• What did you learn about God in this passage/ message?
• What did you learn about yourself/humanity in this passage/message?
• How can we better reflect Jesus together as we live in diverse community?
• How do you feel led to foster healthy, Gospel-centered community this week?