The Kingdom Proclaimed, Part Two

Week forty-five | november 10-16

What do you think about when you hear the word church? Do you think about a building? Do you think about a pastor? Do you think about your Children’s Ministry teachers? In some ways you would be right if you thought about these things, but the church is so much more than the answers that we sometimes come up with. The church isn’t a building or only the people who work and serve in the church. The church is the family of God made up of all people who have been saved by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. The church is a major part of God’s Kingdom because the church is made up of all believers everywhere who are to meet together to worship God, grow in their faith by studying the Bible and encouraging one another, and share the Gospel with the world. The church, God’s people, are very important to him! The Bible calls the church “the bride of Christ,” the one  he died to save and restore a perfect relationship with. It is through the church that the kingdom of God has grown and will continue to grow, just as God designed it to be.

Memory Verse

I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 16:18

Worship

Day One

Read

Here are some verses that your family can read to learn about the start of the church. The early church grew rapidly with those who put their faith in Jesus because of the testimony of the apostles. 

Acts 2:42-47 

Acts 2: 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Pray

Lead your family in a time of prayer over what you read.

Consider the ACTS model:
A – Adoration/ praise God (remember that this is part of worshiping God)
C – Confession (confess sin and your need of God)
T – Thanksgiving (thank God)
S – Supplication (ask God to supply your needs) 

Day Two

Read

Here are some verses for your family to read about The Church and how we are to spread the Gospel to expand The Kingdom of God. These verses help us to see that we are called and empowered by God to share the truth about Jesus with others, even when others oppose it.

Acts 4:13-20, 29-31

Acts 4: 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

Pray

Lead your family in a time of prayer over what you read.

Consider the ACTS model:
A – Adoration/ praise God (remember that this is part of worshiping God)
C – Confession (confess sin and your need of God)
T – Thanksgiving (thank God)
S – Supplication (ask God to supply your needs) 

Day Three

Read

Here are some verses for your family to read about how The Church is also to care for and love one another by meeting one another’s needs. As Christians, we are to take care of one another by sharing the things God has given us with others in need. Jesus said that the world will know that we are followers of him by our love for one another. The church is a family of God’s children who love and care for one another. 

Acts 4:32-37 

Acts 4: 32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Pray

Lead your family in a time of prayer over what you read.

Consider the ACTS model:
A – Adoration/ praise God (remember that this is part of worshiping God)
C – Confession (confess sin and your need of God)
T – Thanksgiving (thank God)
S – Supplication (ask God to supply your needs) 

Day Four

Read

Here are some verses that talk about the leaders in the church and the important job that they have to point us to Jesus and provide spiritual care for us. Our church has elders and pastors who are spiritual leaders–examples of how to follow Jesus. They also provide spiritual care for us by teaching us the Bible in order to protect us from spiritual harm. 

Acts 20:28-31 

Acts 20: 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

Pray

Lead your family in a time of prayer over what you read.

Consider the ACTS model:
A – Adoration/ praise God (remember that this is part of worshiping God)
C – Confession (confess sin and your need of God)
T – Thanksgiving (thank God)
S – Supplication (ask God to supply your needs) 

Day Five: Family Sabbath

Be Present

Set aside distractions (electronics, work, chores, etc.) and spend time with God and each other. 

Pray

Spend time together in prayer, thanking God that he has ordained a day of rest and for the takeaways you’ve had from this week’s readings. Consider closing by praying the Lord’s Prayer together. 

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Play

Choose a fun activity to do together as your family rests from work. Here are some ideas:

• Spend some time talking about all of the great things that are happening in our church to reinforce how God works in and through the church. 
• Discuss what everyone loves about gathering together with God’s people on Sundays. 
• Discuss if there is a family or person in the church or in your community group that you can serve in a simple way this week to show them the love of Jesus.  Do a project together to show them the love and care of Jesus in a very real and meaningful way. 

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