March 25 & 26, 2017 Ken Long, Senior Pastor Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18 Authentic: of undisputed origin; original Review authentic teaching We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. 1 John 4:6 How do we know authentic love? I. Authentic love is demonstrated. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:9-10 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19 What makes Christian love distinct? Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. 1 John 4:11-12 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:44 II. Authentic love is declared. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 1 John 4:14-15 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? Romans 10:14 God s plan to reveal His Love is twofold: proclamation and demonstration. and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 1 Corinthians 2:4 III. Authentic love is deciphered. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 1 John 4:16 How do we tell the difference? A. Through confidence in contrast to fear. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear... 1 John 4:17-18b B. Through truth in contrast to lying. If anyone says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 1 John 4:20 Application: Have I been touched by the love of God? In what areas am I afraid? Is God s Love being demonstrated through my life? We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 Available online at northshorechristian.org: Click the Media button for completed sermon CD s and DVD s of today s sermon & other messages are available next to the Media Booth. notes, video & audio. All scriptures are English Standard Version (ESV) unless otherwise Northshore Media #170326 KJL noted.
Table of Contents My Role as The Leader 2 Our Ground Rules for Home Group Discussions 3 My Time Outside of Group 4 Devotions 5 An Introduction to 1 John 6 WEEK #1: LOVE S PURPOSE 7 Key Scripture: 1 John 1:3 Story: 1 John 1:5-10 Weekend of: March 4-5 WEEK #2: LOVE S ENEMY 8 Key Scripture: 1 John 2:15 Story: 1 John 2:7-17 Weekend of: March 11-12 WEEK #3: LOVE S BEHAVIOR 9 Key Scripture: 1 John 3:16 Story: 1 John 3:11-24 Weekend of: March 18-19 WEEK #4: LOVE S AUTHENTICITY 10 Key Scripture: 1 John 4:19 Story: 1 John 3:24-4:12 Weekend of: March 25-26 WEEK #5: LOVE S VICTORY 11-12 Key Scripture: 1 John 5:4 Story: 1 John 4:19-5:5 Weekend of: April 1-2 WEEK #6: LOVE S ILLUSTRATION 13 Key Scripture: Romans 5:8 Weekend of: April 8-9 Family Worship 14 Sermon Series: BRING THE LOVE March 4-April 9, 2017
MY ROLE AS THE LEADER The Roles of the Home Group Leader: INSIDE THE GROUP The Roles of the Home Group Leader: OUTSIDE THE GROUP Abide in Christ Abide in Christ Spend time in God s Word, pray and fellowship during home group. Encourage others to spend time in God s Word, prayer and fellowship. Press into your relationship with God throughout the week. Encourage others to press into God s Word, prayer and fellowship. Intentional Relational Environment Intentional Relational Environment Create a safe environment for the group to thrive and grow. Ask good questions for the purpose of understanding where each group member is. Be transparent and vulnerable. Identify things to celebrate together as a group. (baptisms, serving, growth, etc ) Intentionally create opportunities to spend time with group members at coffee, home, etc... Aid in identifying places for people to play. Encourage others to pray for those outside of group. Pressing Into the One Pressing Into the One Identify your one. Disciple your one. Identify a friend, co-worker, family member or neighbor to press into. Chase the Strays Chase the Strays Recognize who is missing from group. Encourage others to recognize who is missing from group. Check in with those who missed group. Look for opportunities to connect throughout the week with those who missed group and encourage group members to do the same. Connect the Unconnected Connect the Unconnected Pray for the Lord to put people in your path to invite to group. Encourage group members to invite people. Invite new people to group through personal invitation and phone calls. Model for group members inviting unconnected people. Reach the Lost Reach the Lost Pray for the Lord to put non-believers in your path throughout the week to minister to. Equip group members in sharing the gospel. Be prepared to share the gospel to anyone. Get to know your neighbors and co-workers. Invite the lost to group. Spiritual and Leadership Development Spiritual and Leadership Development Identify the spiritual maturity of group members. (Dead, Infant, Child, Young Adult, Parent) Identify, equip, and train an apprentice. Provide opportunities for your apprentice to lead. Release your apprentice when the group is ready to branch. Meet with your coach to discuss group and training. Meet with your apprentice regularly to debrief and equip. Identify and schedule serving opportunities for the group to do together. 2
OUR GROUND RULES for Home Group Discussions SAFE GROUP: We will all do our part to create an environment where everyone can be real, open and honest with their struggles and victories. CONFIDENTIALITY: What is said in group stays in the group. LISTEN: Let s value one another during the discussions by really listening to what is being shared. Try to avoid thinking about how you are going to respond or what you are going to say next. PAUSE: Allow a pause in conversation after someone shares. A pause gives the person sharing the chance to finish, and the group the opportunity to consider what was just shared before responding. SILENCE: It is important to allow silence in the group. Silence provides an opportunity for someone to share and for members in the group to process the topic or question being considered. NO CROSS TALK : Be considerate of others as they are sharing. No side conversations. NO FIXING: We are not here to fix each other. Jesus does that part. Give encouragement; speak truth and point to Jesus. Don t try to solve problems or fix each other. NO RESCUING: When people are sharing something deeply personal, there can be a tendency to try to make them feel better about themselves or the situation by providing immediate condolences. This will often cause them to stop sharing. Resist the temptation to rescue people. SHARING: Be sensitive about the amount of time you share. BE SELF-AWARE: Be self-aware of how you are personally affecting the environment through your words, actions and non-verbal communication. USE I STATEMENTS: It s easy to talk about the issues of others, but for our purposes, we want you to put yourself on the table. Try to use I statements rather than them, the church, us, we, etc. CONFLICT: We will commit to resolve conflict biblically. When conflict or sin issues between group members arise, we want to make sure that we are honoring God and each other in the way we deal with issues. 3
My Time Outside of Group Intentional Relational Leadership Who do I need to encourage and pray for this week? Who do I need to have a follow-up conversation with this week from group? Who has been absent that I or someone from group needs to follow-up with? Who am I inviting to group? How am I regularly encouraging group members to invite unconnected people? Who has God called you to disciple? How will you connect with them? What areas in their life do you need to spend intentional time with them? What spiritual growth stage are they in with their walk with Christ? Answer the 4 relational spheres of life questions below about the person you are discipling? The 4 Relational Spheres of Life How are you doing in your How are you doing in your How are you doing in your How are you doing in your relationship with Christ? relationships at home? relationships in the relationships outside the body of Christ? body of Christ? What has God been telling With your spouse? People in your home Your neighbors? you this week? With your children? group? Your co-workers? Where is the enemy attacking you this week? With your extended family members? Others in the church? Conflict to Have you invited people to your home group? How has your time in the Word and in prayer been this week? Devotional? What are you intentionally doing to help them and you overcome? Are you connecting the Have you shared the gospel with anyone? mature as unconnected? disciples of Jesus? 4
Devotions Stop Everything Carve out a time to spend with God every day. Prayerfully ask God to remove all distractions and fill that time with just Him. Find a Time God calls us to meet with Him because He loves us. We need to give Him daily praise and prayer. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you (James 4:8). Seek a Relationship Pray that your time is about building that relationship with Him and knowing Him better. Be open in your prayers and praises and He will listen, and in turn, you will grow closer to Him. Start a Conversation Don t hold back. It doesn t have to be perfect prayers and Christian phrases. Ask Him questions. Ask Him for help. Cry out to Him. Praise Him. His Presence Pray that your quiet times are filled with His words and your heart is filled with His truth. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly (Colossians 3:16). He is Able Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or imagine, according to the power at work within us (Ephesians 3:20). Seek Him with all of Your Heart You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13). Time spent with God is time well spent. Love s Purpose: Love s Enemy: John 3:16 Psalm 27:1 Revelation 19:1 Isaiah 12:1 Luke 2:30 Acts 4:12 Romans 1:28-32 Ephesians 2:1-3 Hebrews 2:1-3 2 Timothy 2:2-5 Romans 5:19-21 Romans 11:30-32 Love s Behavior: James 2:8 2 Timothy 1:6-7 1 Peter 1:8-9 Romans 13:10 Romans 12:9 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love s Authenticity: Love s Victory: Psalm 51:6 Psalm 86:11 Isaiah 45:19 Zechariah 8:16 John 4:23-24 John 16:13-15 Proverbs 21:31 Ephesians 6:13 Psalm 45:4 Psalm 60:12 John 15:5 1 Corinthians 15:55-58 Love s Illustration: Galatians 2:20 1 John 3:1-3 Acts 1:6-8 2 Corinthians 5:21 John 10:14-15 Hebrews 9:24-26 5
1 John An Introduction This letter was written by John, the beloved apostle, who was also the author of the 4 th gospel, 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd John and the book of Revelation. He, along with his brother James, and friend Peter, were together fishing when Jesus called them to become disciples saying, follow Me and I will make you fishers of men (Matt 4:19). These three became part of Jesus inner circle of closest friends. Nearing the end of their time with Jesus, the disciples found themselves together in an upper room in Jerusalem for the famous Last Supper where Jesus washed the disciple s feet. From this time forward, John began to refer to himself as the one whom Jesus loved (John 13:23, 19:26, 20:2, 21:7 & 20). John found his identity in the truth that he was loved by Jesus. The lessons we will look at in 1 John reflect both the confidence and humility of this eyewitness who understood that we love because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19) Scholars generally agree that when John began writing he was the last surviving Apostle. His gospel was probably written around AD 80, and his epistles (letters) closer to AD 90. By this time the temple had been destroyed, Christianity was no longer considered a sect of Judaism, and the missionary center of the church had relocated from Antioch to Ephesus. This letter was probably written and circulated from that city. In the 50+ years since Pentecost, the church had spread across much of Asia, south into Africa and as far north as Germany. Most of the books of what is now the New Testament had been completed and were being copied and circulated among the churches. As good as that sounds, much of the spread was a side-effect of persecution. Along with persecution, pressure from false teachers also threatened the Church. At the time John wrote this letter the church was being heavily challenged by false teaching from a group who claimed to follow Gnosticism. Gnosis means knowledge. This prominent movement, which pre-dated the birth of Jesus, taught that the material world was entirely evil, and was created and ruled by a lesser divinity (god). They believed an emissary of a remote supreme divine being enabled redemption of the human spirit for only a few privileged individuals through specialized knowledge. The Gnostics claimed that Jesus was that emissary, but that he was not divine and had no ability to offer redemption or eternal life. Terms from 1 John False prophets (False teachers): According to scripture a false prophet or false teacher is any person who leads God's people to follow after foreign or false gods, (Deuteronomy 18:20-22) or who leads God's people to disobey God's commands leading to a morally loose life (Jeremiah 5:30-31, 23:15-17). These are the indicators of falseness that John has in mind when he instructs believers to test the spirits and be wary of false prophets. See also: Matthew 7:15-23, 24:24; 2 Peter 2:1-3; Luke 6:26. Apostolic authority: In Ch. 4 John reminds his readers of his authority as an Apostle. We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us." (See also John 1: 14, Matthew 10:40, 2 Corinthians 10:8, 13:10, Galatians 2:7,8, 1 Corinthians 14:37) Anti-christ: Anti in this case means opposed to. So when John refers to the spirit-of-antichrist, he is speaking broadly about evil spirits who influence people in opposition to Christ. Any teaching that rejects God taking on flesh, suffering, and dying a substitutionary death is anti-christ. Propitiation: Propitiation is satisfying the right demands of one in authority through a gift. It is seen throughout the Bible in the sacrificial system and in the final sacrifice of the Lord Jesus. Jesus' death satisfies God's right demand that evil be punished in the strongest way possible. The World: In 1 John this refers to the realm of authority where Satan rules. Its characteristics are set out by John in 1 John 2:15-17 and John 1:9-11. See also Romans 1 and 2. 6
Love s Purpose that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellow ship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:3) Welcome & Open in Prayer Review the Ground Rules for Home Group Discussion: (page 4) Cast the Vision: the purpose of Northshore s Home Groups LEADERS: Look ahead at week 6 to prepare for your home group Seder Dinner during Bring the Love week. Warm-up Question: What was your curfew as a child? Setting up the Story: Each chapter in 1 John confronts a truth or cluster of truths that were being challenged by the false teachers of the day. John s first priority was to clarify the need for salvation for every person. The false teachers who were trying to invade the churches at the time of John were very similar to the influences of our modern culture. They promoted a permissive lifestyle which denied the existence of personal sin and the need for salvation through the work of Jesus. John recognized the dangerous nature of this guilt-free approach to religion. The truth is we need guilt. Guilt, like light, exposes a truth that we wish to avoid: We have all sinned. To deny sin is to live in darkness. John unapologetically reminds his readers of this truth, and of the cleansing that comes only through Jesus Christ. Read or Tell the Passage: Share as if you are the messenger sent by John to deliver this message, be as dramatic as you want. 1 John 1:5-10 Rebuild the Passage: Please feel free to use your Bible Choose One or Two Questions from the below menu for your group s discussion, or feel free to come up with your own discussion questions. What it means to walk in light or in the darkness? Over the course of your day, how do you experience both? How have or do you re-name your sin into something else that is easier to ignore? Give examples. What does it mean to you to be cleansed of all unrighteousness? How does that affect the way you behave and are viewed by others? How would you describe to someone the relationship between confession and forgiveness? Why would a person shrink back from confession of known sin in their life? Why have or do you shrink back from a known sin your life? We all struggle with persistent, known sin. How does the known sin in your life make it harder for you to lead someone else to walk in the light? Assign Next Week s Passage: 1 John 2:7-17 Close in Prayer 7 BRING THE LOVE March 6-11, 2017
Love s Enemy Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1 John 2:15) Welcome & Open in Prayer Review the Ground Rules for Home Group Discussion: (page 4) Cast the Vision: the purpose of Northshore s Home Groups LEADERS: Look ahead at week 6 to prepare for your home group Seder Dinner during Bring the Love week. Warm-up Question: What food do you crave that you shouldn t have? Setting up the Story: John s strong language, in Chapter 2, addresses more of the claims from false teachers that were seeping into the church. Although they professed to be followers of the man Jesus, they believed in Christ only as a philosophical concept and denied the absolute demand that believers love one another. The churches were familiar with Paul s teaching to put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity (Col 3:14). His letters were already regarded as scripture and were widely circulated and taught. John reminds his readers that no one can live a perfectly sinless life. Those who are in a close relationship with Christ (abide in Him) have an indwelling Advocate, the Holy Spirit, and they will live a life that reflects Jesus commands. So, exactly what did Jesus command? The old Levitical commandment was to love your neighbor as yourself (Lev. 19:18). To his disciples He said; A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-35). Read or Tell the Passage: Share as if you are the messenger sent by John to deliver this message, be as dramatic as you want. 1 John 2:7-17 Rebuild the Passage: Please feel free to use your Bible Choose One or Two Questions from the below menu for your group s discussion, or feel free to come up with your own discussion questions. What does it mean to love as Jesus loved? Give an example. If we love the world, what can we expect to receive in return? (see also John 15:18-19) Explain what is most meaningful or challenging for you from John s words about children, fathers and young men. God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son (John 3:16) Describe how your own effort to bring Christ s love to the world is distinct from loving the world s culture. What is needed for you to know you are walking in the light, or to guard yourself (or those under your protection), from becoming ensnared by love of the world? Assign Next Week s Passage: 1 John 3:11-24 Close in Prayer BRING THE LOVE March 13-18, 2017 8
Love s Behavior By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. (1 John 3:16) Welcome & Open in Prayer Review the Ground Rules for Home Group Discussion: (page 4) Cast the Vision: the purpose of Northshore s Home Groups LEADERS: Look ahead at week 6 to prepare for your home group Seder Dinner during Bring the Love week. Warm-up Question: Who s coming over that would motivate you to clean your house? Setting up the Story: One of the many problems with popular culture at the time of John was the prevalence of me-first theology. Being devoted to God had been set aside in exchange for pursuit of pleasure and promotion of self at the expense of others. Children of the devil display their basic nature of unbelief by sinning, whereas Christians manifest their new nature in Christ by practicing righteousness (1 John 3:10; John 8:42-47). We see this graphically acted out through the first brothers, Cain and Abel. Cain is spiritually identified as a child of the devil and Abel as a child of God. Cain s act of murder (Gen.4) was the epitome of hatred and thus came from the evil one. Conversely, the epitome of Christian love is seen through the laying down of our lives for our brothers and sisters (v. 16). There are many people today, just as there were in the first century, who claim to be Christian, and may even have a loose association to the Christian community, but demonstrate by their attitude toward others and their lifestyle that their love for Christ is an empty profession of words alone. Read or Tell the Passage: Share as if you are the messenger sent by John to deliver this message, be as dramatic as you want. 1 John 3:11-24 Rebuild the Passage: Please feel free to use your Bible Choose One or Two Questions from the below menu for your group s discussion, or feel free to come up with your own discussion questions. What do you think John had in mind when he called for Christians in his era to love in deed and truth? How would that be different or similar today? How does active love benefit both the giver and the receiver? How have you seen loving acts performed through faith different from good deeds performed without any connection to Jesus? When have you experienced the love of Jesus through either giving or receiving help? Give some examples of acts of love you have seen through faith? And some not done through faith? Where do your acts of love come from? As a result of reading this passage who comes to your mind that you need to show love to, and how do you need to show them God s love? Assign Next Week s Passage: 1 John 3:24-4:12 Close in Prayer 9 BRING THE LOVE March 20-25, 2017
Love s Authenticity We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19) Welcome & Open in Prayer Review the Ground Rules for Home Group Discussion: (page 4) Cast the Vision: the purpose of Northshore s Home Groups Warm-up Question: What characteristics or strengths did you get from your mother? Or father? LEADERS: Look ahead at week 6 to prepare for your home group Seder Dinner during Bring the Love week. Setting up the Story: In chapter 4 John continues to contrast the lies of the Gnostic false teachers to the truth which was taught by Jesus. The Apostle John was an eyewitness to the facts of Jesus life and teaching. Chapter 3 closed with John stating that the indwelling Holy Spirit is proof that God abides in us. The Holy Spirit is an active agent in the life of believers (Mark 13:11; John 14:25-26). It is by the Holy Spirit that believers are to distinguish truth from error (1 John 4:1-3). Building on his earlier lessons about God and Jesus, John now makes the clear statement that God was the one who initiated love through His Son. Those who know God will love as God loved. This love stands in stark contrast to the lifestyle of the false teachers who claimed to know God but lived amoral lives characterized by the love of things and selfish ambition (1 John 2:15-17). Read or Tell the Passage: Share as if you are the messenger sent by John to deliver this message, be as dramatic as you want. 1 John 3:24-4:12 Rebuild the Passage: Please feel free to use your Bible Choose One or Two Questions from the below menu for your group s discussion, or feel free to come up with your own discussion questions. How can you know that the Spirit of Christ lives in you? (John 14:16-12; Galatians 5:22-23) Who is meant by he who is in the world (v.4)? How have you experienced authentic love from He who is within you and inauthentic love from he who is in the world? Without naming names (!) think of a person you do not like. How will you begin to demonstrate God s love for that person? When did you discover that God loves you radically? What difference did that make for you? Who showed you the love of Jesus when you were not very lovable? What impression did that leave on you? Who needs this kind of love from you today? Assign Next Week s Passage: 1 John 4:19-5:5 Close in Prayer BRING THE LOVE March 27-April 1, 2017 10
For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world our faith. (1 John 5:4) Welcome & Open in Prayer Review the Ground Rules for Home Group Discussion: (page 4) Cast the Vision: the purpose of Northshore s Home Groups Love s Victory LEADERS: Look ahead at week 6 to prepare for your home group Seder Dinner during Bring the Love week. Warm-up Question: In the Aesop s fable, are you more like the steady, persistent tortoise, or the fast-starting, easily distracted hare? How so? Setting up the Story: Gnosticism is characterized as a belief system that declares you are your own god and looks like selfish ambition with a me first mentality. As a result, Gnosticism's expression left first century believers confused. As John writes the final thoughts of the epistle of 1 John, he ties a ribbon around key points that set the lies of Gnosticism straight. Gnosticism used language and ideas that are similar to those used today. Our culture is awash in it. As background to the passage this week, we have summarized some of the lies of Gnosticism in the below graph. As a group, use the Scripture references in the grid below to identify the Gospel truth that brings victory over the lies of this world. The Gnostic Lie ~ Our Defeat The Gospel Truth ~ Our Victory Reference Verse in 1 John Jesus could not have been God's son 1:1-3 incarnate. He only appeared to have a body and only appeared to have died The concept of sin is meaningless because there can be no reconciling flesh and spirit. 1:8-2:2 4:10 Since there can be no fellowship 3:4-10 between God and man, there is no need to live a moral, sacrificial life of obedience God, being pure spirit cannot indwell 3:24 individual humans The testimony of a true Gnostic is superior because it is firmly based on a transcendent, higher, mystical 4:6 5:6-12 experience History has no meaning and eternity does not exist 5:11-13 Week 5 continued on next page 11 BRING THE LOVE April 3-8, 2017
Love s Victory For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world our faith. (1 John 5:4) Read or Tell the Passage: Share as if you are the messenger sent by John to deliver this message, be as dramatic as you want. 1 John 4:19-5:5 Rebuild the Passage: Please feel free to use your Bible Choose One or Two Questions from below that you think works best for your group: How is the Gnostic (self- serving, me first) teaching of the first century similar to beliefs you hear expressed today? Give examples. In what ways have of the lies of Gnosticism impacted your understanding of truth and how has that in turn impacted your relationship with God and others? Having studied the entire book of 1 John, how would you now define love? Loving one another is not always easy. What compels you to love in those times when it is not easy? What stops you from loving when you ought to? Can you authentically love God while at the same time hate a brother or sister in Christ? How do you express this love? If gnostic thought has crept into your beliefs and way of life, what can you do to embrace love s victory and grow in faith? NEXT WEEK We Love Because He First Loved Us BRING THE LOVE WEEK Next week as a church, we will be completing the Bring the Love series with a call to action: Use the Easter invite card from church to personally invite someone and bring them with you to attend one of the following 4 events: A Seder Dinner with your Home Group, pick up Seder Dinner booklet in lobby Good Friday Service Eggstragavanza Easter Service Close in Prayer BRING THE LOVE April 3-8, 2017 12
Love s Illustration but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) This Week at Northshore Palm Sunday Stations of the Cross, walk through this with your family Midweek Participate in a Passover Seder Dinner at Home Group Friday Good Friday Service, where we will take communion as a church as we remember Jesus crucifixion Saturday Eggstravaganza Easter Egg Hunt Sunday Easter Service Call To Action This week have your group members use the You re Invited to Easter cards (handed out at church) to invite an un-churched friend or family member to one or more of four events where they will have the opportunity to experience Jesus and His love. It is important that the group member pick up and drive their un-churched friend or family member to and from the event if at all possible. Home Group Seder Meal Weekend Easter Service Good Friday Service (childcare will be provided at church, register in advance) Eggstragavanza (family friendly activities and Easter egg hunt for children) Home Group Plan Option 1: Prepare and lead the group through a Seder Passover Meal (pick-up your booklet in the church lobby to prepare for this) Option 2: As a group, purchase tickets to attend a Seder Dinner. Where: Restoration Messianic Jewish Synagoge When: April 10 or 11, at 6:30pm Cost: Adult $25 Child $10 Register: www.shalomseattle.com Option 3: If you decide not to do a Seder meal, celebrate and fellowship with a potluck meal Next Week at Northshore Guest speaker Dr. Paul Wegner will be giving us a historical background in Old Testament history as we prepare to explore the time of the Kings and prophets of Israel in 1 & 2 Kings. 13 BRING THE LOVE April 10-15, 2017
FAMILY WORSHIP Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane. (Luke 22:39-44) Many of us have our own personal Garden of Gethsemane Often it is hard for us to do what God wants rather than what we want. Pray that God s will, not your own, will be done in your life. Where do you need to be obedient to God right now? Thank God that Jesus, even though he was agonized over the decision to go to the cross, was obedient. Jesus is betrayed by Judas. (Luke 22:46-48) Betrayal is an ugly word. It destroys trust and relationships. How have you betrayed others? How have you betrayed Jesus? Ask God for forgiveness. Seek out those you have betrayed and make things right. Jesus is denied by Peter. (Luke 22:54-62) The all-too-human Peter doesn t stand up for Christ. He denies the Lord three times. Too often we fail to speak up or live out our life in Christ we deny Him by our words or actions to our friends, family and co-workers. Pray that you will be a strong witness of Christ. Peter s remorse starts him on a journey of restoration. Resolve to restore your relationship with Christ. Jesus is condemned to death. (Matthew 27:22-25) The crowd, that welcomed Jesus with palm branches a few days before, now shouts for his crucifixion. We might not think that we would be in the crowd that yelled for his death that day. But it was for OUR sins that he died. Thank God that Christ was willing to die even for those who condemned him to death. Ask him to cleanse you anew and help you to die to yourself this day. Jesus is crowned with thorns and clothed in red. (Matthew 27:27-30) Jesus is KIng and Lord, even in the unholy spectacle that surrounded the crucifixion. Consider the humiliation and degradation that Christ experienced. The gift that He brought to us was and remains a source of ridicule. Pray that Jesus will be your King and that you will always honor him. Jesus is forced to carry His own cross. (John19:17) Jesus accepts the cross and begins His journey. There were no words of complaint, no protestations of innocence, no cursing at the injustices. When we have great burdens to bear we sometimes drown in self pity. We are prone to complain and whine about the most trivial of things. Pray that you will bear your burdens as Christ bore His. Pray that you will have the attitude of Christ in suffering. Pray also that you will learn to lay down your rights and need to be right, and live a life of ultimate cross-bearing love. Jesus is assisted by Simon of Cyrene. (Luke 23:26) Simon helps Jesus bear the physical burden of His cross. Think of others that you can help today. Are there burdens that you can help share; crosses that you can help carry? Pray that you can help others bear their cross. Give thanks for the people who have helped you carry your burdens. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem. (Luke 23:27-31) Along the Via Dolorosa, Jesus greets the faithful women who grieved at this injustice. Even in His time of greatest need, Jesus continues to think of others. Feel sorrow today for the Christ that suffered for you. Accept the comfort of Christ and ask Him to show you individuals whom you can serve in His name. Jesus is crucified. (Luke 23:33-34) Thank God for the glory of the cross -- He was nailed to a cross to proclaim liberty to captives. Thank God for the forgiveness Jesus offers to us who put him there. Meditate on the great sacrifice of Jesus. What would you be willing to die for? Jesus speaks to the thief. (Luke 23:39-43) Praise God that Jesus does not give us what we deserve! We represent the thieves who were crucified beside Him. With which thief Jesus speaks to His mother. (John 19:25-27) That is why He takes time to make sure that Mary will be cared for after His death. What does Jesus ask of you today? What special mission does He have for your life? Who is Jesus wanting you to care for? Pray that you will be like John and accept His mission for you. Thank God for the compassion of Christ. Jesus dies on the cross and is taken down. (John 19:28-38) The path of the Via Dolorosa ends here. It is finished. The penalty for sin has been paid. The sinless One has rescued the sinner. Adore the Christ who has redeemed the world with His sacrifice. Jesus is buried. (John 19:39-42) The body of Jesus is taken to its resting place. The huge stone over the tomb is a final sign of the seemingly permanence of death. This tomb represents everything that needs to be buried in your life as well the fears, the defeats, the worries. Ask God to bury and to direct you into your future. Jesus is resurrected. (Luke 24:1-6) Hallelujah! The grave is empty! He is risen! Death has been swallowed up in victory. Claim the new life Christ has given you. Ask Jesus, whose hands and feet and side still bear the signs of this journey, to grant you the grace that you need to continue the journey with Him. 14