Family Worship Guide Week 35

READ PRAY Family Worship Guide Week 35 This week we continue our study of First Timothy. Timothy was a young pastor in the church at Ephesus. Paul wrote this letter to Timothy to tell him how he should lead the church. Paul was the missionary who had planted the church at Ephesus and preached there for three years (Acts 20:31). In 1 Timothy 2, we get a glimpse of God s design for biblical womanhood. Read 1 Timothy 2:9-13. First, Paul explains that women should seek to dress modestly and respectfully. It is interesting that he adds self- control to the list. This points us to what Paul means. Paul is saying that the way a woman dresses says a lot about her desires. If she desires to be noticed for the wrong reasons, she will likely dress immodestly. Yet a woman with self- control, a woman who wants God to be noticed in her, will dress modestly. As one pastor said, your clothing should frame your face, where the glory of God shines forth, and nowhere else. Paul goes on to make comments about what he considers immodest dress, mentioning braided hair, gold, and pearls. This is a statement informed by the culture that Paul lived in. Paul is not saying that twisting your hair together is evil. Braided hair was often associated with sinful behavior in his day. Paul is encouraging them to distinguish themselves from the culture around them. One attribute of the dress that is easier to apply to our day is his last one: costly attire. We should not spend our money quickly, heavily, or often on attire. As Jesus said, where your treasure is your heart will be also. In verse 10, Paul tells women what is fitting for them to adorn themselves if they are going to profess godliness: good works. Read 1 Peter 3:3-6. Here we see the exact same language in more detail. Paul instructs women what is precious in God s sight for them: the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. Paul is speaking about submission. God s Word is clear that the most beautiful and honorable attribute a woman can have is to be properly submissive to her authority. This can look very different depending on the circumstances and authorities involved, but in 1 Timothy Paul speaks specifically about leadership in the church. Paul instructs that women are to quietly listen and learn. This does not mean that they cannot pray or speak at all, for that would contradict what Paul says elsewhere (1 Corinthians 11:4). Paul s main point is that God has ordained that men lead in the church, especially in teaching the Church. This means that for a woman to be quietly submissive under that role is for her not to teach or exercise authority over men but to quietly listen and learn. If we read this in light of passages like 1 Peter 3 we see the great beauty in His design. God intends to display His glory through proper, humble submission. This was the role of His perfect Son (Philippians 2) and He intends a similar honor for women through this role. Questions: Talk together about how submissive Christ was. Can you think of any ways that His submission to the Father was on display? What does it mean to be self- controlled in the way you adorn yourself? What are our motives often times when we dress ourselves? What does that motive point to in our hearts? Resolve with your family that these truths can be said of you, that the women are beautifully gentle, quiet, and appropriately submissive. Pray together to that end. Discuss together things that can be changed to make this true if it is not. Bottom Line: Women, let your clothing be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God s sight is very precious. India is home to approximately 1.2 Billion people. Its borders dominate South Asia and the Indian Ocean. It is one of the most complex and diverse countries in the world. There are 28 Union States and 7 Union Territories, each with their own culture and way of life. India is the most ethnically diverse nation on earth, with over 2,500 distinct people groups. This provides great challenges for the spread of the gospel in a context that is infiltrated with religious spiritism and animism. All of the major world religions find their home in India, but India is the birthplace of Hinduism and continues to this day Copyright 2011 The Church at Brook Hills www.brookhills.org 1

to be the major religion of her people. Evangelicals are small in number but the growth of churches is on the rise. Paul and Megan P. are IMB missionaries who are investing their lives among unreached peoples in Northwest India. Megan helps run a business center where women in their community are engaged, equipped and given the opportunity to run a small business for economic stability. Through this business, Megan and others are able to share the gospel and disciple the women in the program. Paul is working to train pastors in 5 different states. These pastors have the potential to engage over 15 million Muslims in these states. Paul, Megan and their family are partners with Brook Hills and receive short- term teams and mid- term personnel each year. It is a privilege to partner and pray for their family as we continue to reach the millions of unreached peoples in India. SING This week, let s worship together by singing Shouting Your Praises. This song is based on Psalm 19. In the first six verses, the psalmist writes, The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat. Together we have the privilege of shouting praises to the King of Glory. We are not alone in our proclamation. We are joined by the earth and sky and all of God s handiwork. We were created for this, so let our words be true, and let our hearts be set on the only one who is worthy of praise. MEMORIZE 1 Timothy 2:12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 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: Grab your Bible, a bag of pretzel sticks and a napkin or paper plate. Read 1 Timothy 3:16 with your preschooler. After reading the scripture, give you child a paper plate or napkin and a handful of pretzel sticks. Start by telling your preschooler that you can use these pretzel sticks to remember Bible scripture. Ask if they can use your pretzel sticks to make a cross. Help your child make pretzel crosses. This reminds us that Jesus died on the cross so we can be forgiven for our sins (all the bad choices we make). Can you make a happy face with your pretzels? Let children make smiley faces with their pretzels. That reminds us that we can be glad because Jesus died on the cross and rose again so he could take away all the sins. Explain to your child that God wants all of us to know Jesus and how he was sent to save us. God wants all nations to hear about Jesus and his love too. God loves us so much that he sent his only son, Jesus, from heaven to earth to die on a cross. He saves us and helps us turn away from our sin (bad choices). Conclude by re- reading this week s verse, 1 Timothy 3:16 with your preschooler. Pray and thank God for his love and for this yummy snack. Children Ask the kids to name everyone in your family. Prompt them to include relatives who don t live in your home, who live far away, and those they have never met. Explain that the family of God is a lot like your family. It includes those in your local church, in other churches in Birmingham, from all over the United States, and from every nation on earth. God s family is BIG. Ask if the kids know how many children are in God s family. Talk about how God s family grows every time someone becomes a Christian. God s family can never be too big. God wants people from everywhere in the world to be a part of his family. (If your child is not yet a Christian explain how to become a part of God s family.) Read 1 Timothy 3:14. " I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth." www.brookhills.org 2

As members of God s family we are responsible for preaching the truth to the world and teaching it to every generation. The truth is Jesus is God in the flesh who died for the sins of his people, rose again to conquer sin and death, and is building a kingdom of people from every nation on earth. Talk about ways your family can be a part of proclaiming Christ to the nations and then get started. (Ideas: pray daily for missionaries, earn money to support a specific mission project, sponsor a child through Compassion, start an after school Bible study, visit a nursing home - pray with the residents and share the gospel, bring a non- believing friend to worship) Pray that as a family you will be faithful to advance the kingdom of God. Students Scripture teaches that the Church is not a building. Rather, it is a family of believers who have been called out from every people group for the glory and purpose of Christ. Discuss the differences between viewing the church as a family of believers versus a building. In what practical ways does this change the way you worship? How does it change the way you interact with brothers and sisters in Christ? Reflect on the talents and passions that God has given you. Then take some time to discuss these as a family. How are you using your abilities to serve and strengthen the church? In verse 16, Paul highlights the greatness of the gospel as seen in the death and resurrection of Christ. How do your daily conversations direct others to the truth of the gospel? How can you lovingly communicate the urgent need for Christ to a non- believer? Consider how you spend a typical week. Think about school, friendships, sports, entertainment, work, and events in which you are involved. How can your involvement in these activities advance the Kingdom of God? How might you build relationships that lead people to Christ? Do you organize the Gospel around your life? Or do you organize your life around the gospel? Take some time to discuss the differences. What does it look like to organize your life around the gospel? Copyright 2011 The Church at Brook Hills www.brookhills.org 3

Prayer Week 35 Lives/Church This week, we will look deeply into biblical womanhood in the church. In our day, the portrait of womanhood that God loves that we find in Scripture has been ridiculed and denounced. Yet it still stands as a primary way for women to be the light of Christ to the nations. This week we will behold the great beauty of modesty and the high honor of submission. Take this week to celebrate God s design for His Church for men and women. Pray for the women in our church, that they will embrace the biblical portrait of womanhood offered to them with great joy. Pray that it would be understood clearly in light of what the world around us says. Pray that godly women will teach younger women to treasure these truths as they treasure Christ. Pray that through this obedience our church will flourish in purity and unity. Local Local Church: New Hope Baptist - Gregory L. Clarke Focus: Mom Time - a Brook Hills daytime gathering held periodically throughout the year where Moms can connect for biblical teaching, community and mentoring support. The goal of Mom Time is to move mothers into an ongoing small group community. Monday: Pray for unconnected mothers in our faith family to join us at the September 13 Mom Time Gathering and come find community and connection with other mothers. Tuesday: Pray for our small group leaders that their lives will reflect Christ to the younger mothers that they disciple. Wednesday: Pray for more women from Brook Hills to step into leadership of Mom Time small groups. Thursday: Pray for the speaker at the Mom Time Gathering to be used by God to encourage and equip women that day. Friday: Pray for unbelieving mothers and unconnected mothers to be invited by a friend and come to the gathering to hear from God and be welcomed by our women. Saturday: Pray for Dawn Stephens, Val Harvey and the leadership team as they give leadership to the gatherings and small groups this year. Global Short Term Teams: Thailand and SE Asia Partner: Paul and Megan P. Brook Hills partners in Northwest India Monday: Paul and Megan have 3 children and are in the process of adopting their daughter from Ethiopia. Please pray for the process of bringing their daughter home to be smooth. Tuesday: Pray for Godly wisdom as Paul engages and builds relationships with national pastors. Wednesday: Pray for the women Megan engages at the business center. Pray for many opportunities to share the gospel with the Muslim women and that they would hear and know Christ. Thursday: Being long-term missionaries can be challenging for a family. Pray for Paul and Megan s marriage to be strengthened in this time and for wisdom as they parent their 3 children. Friday: Pray for many people to know Christ as a result of Paul and Megan s ministry in India. Saturday: Pray for God to make Paul and Megan steadfast in the work he has intended for them. Pray that God gives them strength and endurance as they face difficulties in sharing the gospel. Scripture Memory I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 1 Timothy 2:12 Shouting Your Praises by Josh Poore & Jim Watkins (2x) Verse: Bb There is no one No one who cannot see You See You in all of creation You are ever the Lord of the earth Lord of the earth F Bb The sun is rising Rising the morning rejoicing Rejoicing across all the heavens Your glory shines To the end of the earth The end of the earth Chorus: Bb F The heavens declare Your glory oh God Gm F The work of Your hands will shine in the sky Day after day shouting Your praises Bb F So we will declare Your glory, oh God Gm F The work of Your hands will shine in our lives Day after day we re shouting Your praises Verse Chorus Bridge: Chorus Tag: Day after day we re shouting your praise F All that we are for all of our days Gm Forever and ever F/A Bb Shouting your praises Copyright 2011 Josh Poore/ Jim Watkins/Brook Hills Music Copyright 2011 The Church at Brook Hills