Travel Size Truths | June 2
Don’t you love the mini-shampoos, conditioners, and bottles of lotion you get at hotels? Have you ever grabbed the extras and taken them home with you because you knew they would be handy the next time you travel somewhere? Well, the Bible has some wonderful “Travel Size Truths” you can tuck away in your heart and have handy at any time as you journey through life. These short stories that speak powerfully to our daily lives are called Parables. Join us this summer for an inspiring and practical sermon series called, “Travel Size Truths.”
Online Extras:
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Reading Plan for next week’s message
Sunday - 1 Kings 16
Monday – 1 Kings 17
Tuesday – 1 Kings 18
Wednesday – 1 Kings 19
Thursday – 2 Kings 2
Friday – Matthew 17:3-13
Saturday – Acts 6
Memorize/Reflect: “Impress them (God’s Commandments) on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deuteronomy 6:7)
Prayer Direction: Pray for parents to offer spiritual leadership in their homes. Pray for Shoreline’s Children’s Ministry, all of our volunteers, and Pastor Roy as he leads. And, ask God to help the church and families at Shoreline to be great partners in ministry.
“Live It!” Challenge: Say It! - If you have children, offer spiritual leadership in some way this week. You might ask your child, “Can I pray with and for you?” Then, pray with them at that moment. You might have a Bible study with your child. If you don’t know where to start, use the questions below.
Small Group Discussion (I Know What Color God Is):
- Who was/is one significant influencer on your spiritual life and faith and how has God used this person as a spiritual parent as you have grown in faith?
- What is the role of the local church, pastors, youth leaders, Bible study leaders, and others in helping people grow in their faith?
- What is the role of parents and family in helping a child, teen, or grown adult go deeper in faith? What can parents and grandparents do to help faith become a core value and part of the family members lives?
- How can we help younger people who are “sons and daughters” in the faith grow to know and love Jesus more?
- Read: Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and Read: Deuteronomy 4: 9-14 .What does is look like when we are really seeking to love God with all of our heart, soul and strength in the context of our family?
- What does is look like when we are really seeking to love God with all of our heart, soul and strength in the context of a local church congregation?
- What are some ways we can “Impress” God’s commands and truth on the next generation in a way they will be accepting and receive this truth?
- Read: Deuteronomy 11:18-21 What are some ways we can grow in faith, and help the next generation grow in faith, by “fixing God’s truth in our hearts and minds”? How do we keep the truth of Scripture in our hearts and minds when there are so many other things crying for our attention and devotion?
- How can the partnership of church and home become a powerful tool in the hands of God when it comes to raising children who love and follow Jesus with their whole hearts
- If you have special needs or concerns for a child right now, share these and commit to pray for each other.
Our next Discover Shoreline class will be on Sunday, June 2, from 1-3:30p in the Parkside Room. Come to the class to learn more about Shoreline’s beliefs, vision, ministry and how to connect in the life of the church. Anyone may attend simply to learn more about Shoreline. However, those who desire to become members must attend the Discover Shoreline gathering. You will meet several of our Pastors, staff and Leadership Team members. Lunch and childcare are included, but both require sign-ups in advance. Please register by clicking the link below or contact Rebecca at rbuchanan@shorelinechurch.org to sign up.
Precept Upon Precept – Book of Esther
Go deeper in your walk with God as you study and discover God’s truths for yourself through this class. The next Precept Upon Precept class will be in July.
Course Study: Book of Esther (approx. 5 hours per week of personal study time involved)
Dates/Times: 5-week study beginning in July 2013
Location: Shoreline Community Church, Garden Room (1208)
Evening Class: Mondays beginning July 1 – July 29 from 6:30-8:30p Contact Alan Huey at 559.289.7811 for questions or more information
Register Online: Precept PM: Book of Esther
Reading Plan for next week’s message
Sunday - Deuteronomy 4:1-40
Monday – Deuteronomy 6
Tuesday – Deuteronomy 11
Wednesday – Exodus 12
Thursday – Psalm 145
Friday – Ephesians 5:21-6:4, Colossians 3:18-21
Saturday – Deuteronomy 4:1-40
Memorize/Reflect: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” (Malachi 3:10)
Prayer Direction: Thank God for the material gifts and blessings He has given you. Pray that you will understand that every good gift is a gift from Him. (James 1:17)
“Live It!” Challenge: Say It! - Take time in the coming week to make a list of 20 material things you have. A car, where you live, clothes, “toys,” and other things. Go through this list a few times in the coming week. As you read each item, say out loud, “This is a gift from God. I am thankful for it and I offer this back to God for Him to use for His glory!”
Small Group Discussion (God Wants More than Ten Percent!):
- What is one material thing that you are truly thankful for? How do you see this item as a gift from God and how can you express thanks to God for it?
- What makes it hard to give, be generous, and live with open hands (willing to share what God has given you)?
- What helps you grow in generosity and become more free and joyful as you learn to give and share what you have? How can the very act of giving bring you joy? Tell a story of a time you felt led to give something away or share something with a person in need. How did God show up and bring joy through this experience (to you and the person who received the gift)?
- Read: Deuteronomy 14:22-29 and Malachi 3:6-12 . Why does God want his people to give ten percent back to Him? How is this ten percent a picture of giving even more to God (our whole lives)?
- If we refuse to give God the first ten percent, and don’t surrender all of our life to God, what does this say about our faith and trust in God? How is giving a sign of trust in God’s power, provision, and presence in our lives?
- Read: Deuteronomy 26:1-15 . How does a tithe help bring ministry of compassion to the broken, outcast, and often forgotten? What are ways that the gifts given at Shoreline Church are extending care and mercy to people in our community who are broken and struggling?
- Read: 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 . The apostle Paul uses an agricultural image and reality about sowing seed and reaping a harvest. What are some of the agricultural principles that transfer over to the practice of giving?
- When it comes to giving, attitude matters. What kind of attitude does God want us to express as we give? How does the condition of our heart impact how we give?
- How can our generous giving actually bring praise and thanksgiving to others? How does it bring joy to God’s heart?
- What can we do to grow as givers and find greater joy as we increase in generosity? How can thankfulness for what we have grow our heart for giving?
