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Copyright ©2011 The Church at Brook Hills www.brookhills.org

Family  Worship  Guide  –  Week  40    

READ    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).    Read  1  Timothy  6:3-­‐10.  To  be  rich  can  lead  to  forgetting  that  God  is  our  provider,  and  to  be  poor  can  lead  to  anger  with  God  over  one’s  circumstances  (Proverbs  30).  The  conclusion  then  is  that  contentment  is  not  found  in  your  bank  account  balance,  but  rather  your  satisfaction  is  joy  over  the  Lord’s  supply  and  trust  in  His  provision.  Lead  the  family  in  discussing  the  way   that   each  member   spends   their  money.   Is   a   pursuit   of   riches  what   characterizes   the   finances   or   is   sacrificial  spending  for  the  sake  of  the  kingdom  the  goal?      Read  Matthew  6:19-­‐34.  Matthew  6  gives  an  incredible  portrait  of  the  danger  of  money  and  the  joy  and  peace  of  relying  completely  on  God  for  our  resources.  Discuss  whether  or  not  we  can  trust  God  with  what  we  need  in  this  life  and  why.      The  command  not  to  seek  riches  is  an  important  one  in  our  culture.  Yet  these  texts  show  us  that  it  is  not  that  we  should  avoid  money,  but   that  we   should   learn   to   trust  God  as  our  provider   and   fix  our  eyes  on  our  mission  during  our   lives.  Contentment  and  trust  is  not  always  easy,  yet  these  texts  promise  us  a  peace  and  joy  that  will  not  be  found  in  any  other  way.      Questions:  How  does  1  Timothy  6:3-­‐10  fit  into  your  understanding  of  the  rest  of  1  Timothy?    How  does  the  section  regarding  false  teachers  fit  into  the  exhortations  about  money?  Talk  together  about  how  your  resources  as  a  family  can  best  be  used  to  advance  the  gospel.  How  has  your  family  engaged  in  the  church’s  goal  to  live  radically  for  the  sake  of  the  gospel?  If  your  family  was  involved  in  The  Radical  Experiment,  talk  together  about  how  it  helped  the  way  your  family  lives.  If  your  family  was  not  involved,  consider  taking  some  time  to  go  to  www.radicalexperiment.org/stories/  and  see  how  God  used  a  teaching  series  like  this  one  to  change  our  church.      Bottom  Line:  We  are  to  be  joyfully  content  with  what  we  need,  trusting  God  to  provide  for  us  and  avoiding  the  pursuit  of  riches  and  the  love  of  money.  

PRAY  A   land  of  4  million  people,  Croatia   sits  as  a  centerpiece   in  Europe  as  a  place   in   recent  history,  marked  by  conflict  and  ethnic  strife.    Long-­‐Term  Communist  mismanagement  and  the  war  with  Serbia  undermined  a  previously  solid  economy.    Though  recovery  is  in  process,  there  are  still  challenges  with  high  unemployment  and  low  wages  among  Croatia’s  citizens.    Politically   focused   in   the   1990’s   on   the   Balkan   war,   Croatia’s   transition   from   nationalist   politics   to   liberal   democracy  anticipates   their  complete  entrance   into   the  European  Union   for  2013.    However,   the  profound   impact  of  historic  and  recent  hatred  among  Croats,  Serbs  and  Bosnians  could  continue  to  hamper  the  affected  nations  for  generations  to  come.    The  iron  bond  shackling  ethnicity  to  religion  impedes  progress  and  stifles  spiritual  breakthrough.        The  Catholic  Church   is  highly   influential   in  Croatia.     It  has  one  of  the  highest  active  Catholic  populations   in  Europe  and  enjoys  an  unofficial  favored  status  though  Croatia  is  a  secular  state  and  freedom  of  religion  exists.    Evangelicals  are  one  of  the   few   groups   straddling   the   ethnic   divide   that   exists   between   Bosnians,   Croats   and   Serbs.     Many   people   from   all  ethnicities   have   become   Christians   and   been   brought   into   fellowships   together.     Therefore   Evangelical   churches   are  spreading.        Still  relatively  small   in  size  and  number,  new  fellowships  are  popping  up  around  the  country  and  need  prayer  for  unity,  leadership  and  theological  training.    Josip  and  Kelly  Debeljuh  are  Long-­‐Term  Missionaries  sent  out  by  Brook  Hills  to  help  in  this  advancement  of  the  gospel.    Josip  was  born  and  raised  in  Croatia  and  now  has  returned  to  his  homeland  to  share  and  teach   others   about   Christ.     He   does   this   by   engaging   college   and   high   school   students   through   basketball   camps   and  coaching  teams  in  the  local  area.    There  he  shares  the  gospel  and  has  been  discipling  two  or  three  of  these  young  men  as  they  grow   in   their   faith.    When  not   taking  care  of   their  4  children  Kelly  spends  time  with   local  women  by  teaching  art  

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classes  and  inviting  them  to  her  home  to  share  coffee.    Let’s  pray  for  Josip,  Kelly,  and  their  children  as  they  seek  to  glorify  God  in  Croatia  and  see  the  church  grow  through  the  opportunities  God  has  given  their  family.    

SING  This  week  we  are  singing  ‘All  to  Us’  written  by  Chris  Tomlin,  Matt  Redman,  Jesse  Reeves  and  Matt  Maher.  This  song  is  an  honest  confession  that  declares  God  as  being  all  to  us.  Though  many  times  our  lives  do  not  reflect  it,  we  know  from  scripture  that  God  has  given  us  all  that  we  need.    James  1:17  says,  "Every  good  gift  and  every  perfect  gift  is  from  above,  coming  down  from  the  Father  of  lights  with  whom  there  is  no  variation  or  shadow  due  to  change."    In  2  Peter  1:3  we  find  that  "His  divine  power  has  granted  to  us  all  things  that  pertain  to  life  and  godliness,  through  the  knowledge  of  him  who  called  us  to  his  own  glory  and  excellence".  

 As  we  sing  this  song,  let  us  acknowledge  God  as  our  creator  and  redeemer  and  the  giver  of  all  good  and  perfect  gifts.  Let  us  give  Him  the  glory  that  He  alone  deserves,  because  He  is  our  treasure.  Our  satisfaction  is  in  him  alone,  and  we  trust  in  his  provision  in  our  lives.  It  is  by  His  grace  that  we  have  been  given  Christ  and  are  made  right  before  Him.  Let  us  make  it  our  prayer  as  we  sing  that  our  lives  would  reflect  that  God  is  all  to  us.    

MEMORIZE  1  Timothy  6:6-­‐7    “Now  there  is  great  gain  in  godliness  with  contentment,  for  we  brought  nothing  into  the  world,  and  we  cannot  take  anything  out  of  the  world.”    

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  and  a  small  suitcase  and  stuff  it  so  full  that  it  looks  like  it  may  burst.  • Read  1  Timothy  6:6-­‐7.  • Now  talk  with  your  preschooler  about  the  overstuffed  suitcase.    Ask  if  they  like  to  go  on  vacations  or  trips.  Show  them  the  

suitcase  and  ask  them  what  is  wrong  with  the  suitcase  you’ve  packed  for  your  next  trip.    Encourage  your  child  to  respond.    • Open  the  suitcase  and  take  a   look   inside  with  your  preschoolers.    Wow,  there’s  a   lot   in  here!    There  are  socks,  shoes,  

shirts,  pants,  belts,  etc.  I’ve  tried  to  pack  too  many  things.    I  should  have  only  packed  what  I  needed.    Taking  more  than  I  need  doesn’t  make  sense,  does  it?      

• Now  explain  to  your  preschooler  what  it  means  to  have  enough.    God  wants  us  to  be  happy  with  what  we  have  and  to  find   happiness   in   helping   and   telling   others   about   Jesus.     God   wants   us   to   share   the   good   news   about   Jesus   with  everyone.  

• Pray  with  your   child  and   thank  God   for  all  he  has  given  you  and   for   caring   for   your   family.     Thank  God   for  giving  you  everything  you  need  and  ask  him  to  help  you  to  remain  happy  with  what  you  have.    

Children  •      Materials  Needed:    

o A  book  that  your  child  loves  or  that  is  a  great  read-­‐a-­‐loud  story.    o Several  catalogues  from  doll  or  toy  stores,  sport  stores  or  clothing  stores-­‐-­‐whichever  appeal  most  to  your  child,  

but  keep  them  hidden  -­‐  maybe  in  a  bag  under  the  sofa.    •      Part  1  

o Have  your  child  join  you  on  the  couch  for  some  snuggling/reading  time.  Read  the  story  for  about  5-­‐15  minutes  (depending  on  ages  of  kids)  or  until  a  chapter  is  over.  When  you  stop  reading,  tell  them  how  it  brings  you  a  lot  of  joy   to   spend   time  with   them.  Ask   your   child   to  describe  how   it  makes   them   feel   to   sit   together   as   you   read.    (Possible  answers  might  be  "happy",  "relaxed",  "peaceful",  "loved",  "secure",  or  "special".)  Tell  them  that  when  

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Copyright ©2011 The Church at Brook Hills www.brookhills.org

you  feel  happy  and  relaxed  at  the  same  time  that  is  called  being  "content".  Tell  them  that  God  wants  us  to  be  content.      

•      Part  2  (Can  be  done  on  the  following  night)  o Have  your  child   join  you  on  couch   for   some  snuggling/reading   time.  Pull  out   the  catalogues  and   look   through  

them   together   for   about   a  minute   and   then   suggest  making   a   wish   list.   After   listing   several   items,   take   the  catalogues  away  even   if   there  are  protests   to  keep   looking.  Ask  your  child   if   it  was  hard  to   find  things   for   the  wish   list.  Ask   them   if   looking  at   the   catalogues  gave   them   the  happy,   relaxed   feeling   from   the  previous  night  when  you  were  reading  together  or  different  feelings.  (Possible  answers  might  be  "confused  because  it  was  hard  to  pick",  or  "frustrated  because  I  wanted  to  see  more  items  ".)  Ask  them  which  of  the  items  are  needed  for  them  to  live.  Relate  how  easy  it  is  to  find  more  things  we  want  no  matter  what  we  already  have.  Tell  them  that  God  does  not  want  us  to  spend  our  time  chasing  after,  or  pursuing,  things  to  buy  or  money  because  this  will  not  help  us  be  content  or  to  trust  Him  more.    God  knows  just  what  we  really  need.  

o God  wants  us  to  be  joyfully  content  with  simply  what  we  need,  trusting  God  to  provide  for  us  and  avoiding  the  pursuit  of  riches  and  the  love  of  money.  

o Pray  as  a  family  that  God  would  give  you  hearts  that  take  delight   in  Him  above  all  other  things  and  find  great  contentment  resting  in  Him.  

 Students  

• In  verses  3-­‐5,  Paul  warns  the  Church  that  every  thought  must  be  tested  by  the  Word  of  God.    Otherwise,  a  believer  will  stray  from  “teaching  that  accords  with  godliness.”    Study  Paul’s  description  of  such  a  person.    Does  your  life  display  any  of  these  characteristics?    In  what  specific  ways  can  you  guard  your  heart  and  mind?  

• Money   is   a   double-­‐edged   sword.     While   it   may   be   leveraged   for   God’s   glory   among   the   nations,   it   may   also   be  squandered  for  selfish  gain.    Guesstimate  the  total  amount  of  money  you  spend  in  a  typical  week.    What  percentage  do  you   give   to   causes   that   advance   the   gospel?    What   percentage   do   you   spend   on   unnecessary   items?     Discuss   some  practical  ways  you  can  increase  your  giving  toward  eternal  purposes.  

• According  to  verse  6,  “godliness  with  contentment”  is  the  biblical  ideal  for  all  Christ  followers.    Describe  how  you  think  a  person  embracing  this   ideal  might   live.    What  would  his   lifestyle,  spending  habits,  and  attitude  toward  money  be   like?    Compare  your  answers  with  the  reality  of  your  own  life.    In  what  areas  are  you  succeeding?    In  what  areas  do  you  need  improvement?  

• As  members  of  a  consumer-­‐focused  culture,  we  are  bombarded  with  the  temptation  to  spend  money   in  excessive  and  useless  ways.    What  safeguards  can  you  put  in  place  to  guard  yourself  from  such  temptations?    Discuss  these  as  a  family.  

• The  love  of  money  can  be  a  very  subtle  pitfall,  which  requires  Christ  followers  to  continually  evaluate  themselves.    Reflect  on  your  own   life.    Are   you   content  with  how  God  chooses   to  provide   for   you?    Do  you   joyfully  embrace  a   lifestyle  of  simplicity?    Dialogue  as  a   family  about  possible  “blind  spots”   that  are  preventing  you   from  fully  glorifying  God   in  your  stewardship  of  money.    

Pra

yer

W

eek

40

Loca

l

Loca

l Chu

rch:

Sha

des

Mtn

. Bap

tist -

Dan

ny W

ood

Focu

s: D

anie

l Cas

on M

inis

trie

s - a

min

istr

y to

ur

ban

child

ren

thro

ugh

thei

r K.

I.D.S

. Chr

istia

n M

usic

Cen

ter

and

cam

ps; a

min

istr

y to

the

hom

eles

s, h

ungr

y, a

nd n

eedy

in d

ownt

own

Birm

ingh

am b

y pr

ovid

ing

food

and

clo

thes

; and

a

min

istr

y to

urb

an s

hut-

ins.

Mon

day:

Pra

y th

at G

od w

ill p

rovi

de g

odly

vo

lunt

eers

for

the

man

y ou

trea

ch in

itiati

ves

taki

ng p

lace

eac

h w

eek

(dan

ielc

ason

.org

).

Tues

day:

Pra

y fo

r fa

ith fo

r th

ose

who

lead

this

m

inis

try.

Pra

y th

ey w

ill fo

llow

God

’s le

ader

ship

, an

d us

e th

e re

sour

ces

that

he

prov

ides

in th

e be

st w

ay to

adv

ance

the

gosp

el.

Wed

nesd

ay: P

ray

that

God

will

pro

vide

the

reso

urce

s to

repa

ir th

e ro

of o

f the

ir m

inis

try

cent

er b

uild

ing

dow

ntow

n w

hich

was

rece

ntly

da

mag

ed b

y a

stor

m.

Thur

sday

: Pra

y th

at G

od w

ill p

rovi

de v

olun

teer

s w

ho c

an c

lear

ly a

nd b

oldl

y sh

are

the

gosp

el

thro

ugh

thei

r da

ily b

read

feed

ing

min

istr

y an

d fo

od a

nd c

loth

ing

dist

ribu

tion

cent

er.

Frid

ay: P

ray

that

God

will

be

exal

ted

in th

eir

daily

wor

ship

tim

e in

a w

ay th

at a

ll att

ende

es

wou

ld s

ee h

im a

s he

is a

nd w

ant t

o w

orsh

ip a

nd

serv

e hi

m th

e re

st o

f the

ir li

ves.

Satu

rday

: Pra

y th

at G

od w

ill b

less

thei

r an

nual

Br

ead

of L

ife T

hank

sgiv

ing

Out

reac

h eff

orts

at

Bout

wel

l Aud

itori

um w

ith re

sour

ces,

vol

unte

ers,

an

d go

spel

con

vers

ions

.

Cop

yrig

ht ©

2011

The

Chu

rch

at B

rook

Hill

s

Glo

bal

Shor

t Ter

m T

eam

s: In

dia

and

Sout

h Ea

st A

sia

Part

ner:

Bro

ok H

ills

Long

-Ter

m M

issi

onar

ies

The

Deb

elju

hs s

ervi

ng in

Cro

atia

Mon

day:

Josi

p an

d Ke

lly s

erve

in C

roati

a an

d ar

e ex

pecti

ng th

eir

fifth

child

in O

ctob

er.

Pray

for

a sa

fe d

eliv

ery

for

both

Kel

ly a

nd th

eir

new

chi

ld.

Tues

day:

Josi

p ha

s be

en d

isci

plin

g a

youn

g m

an

nam

ed Ig

man

who

will

beg

in b

ible

sch

ool t

his

next

yea

r. P

ray

for

thei

r re

latio

nshi

p to

gro

w

and

for

oppo

rtun

ities

for

Igm

an to

mak

e m

ore

disc

iple

s.

Wed

nesd

ay: I

t can

be

diffi

cult

livin

g in

an

area

w

here

you

do

not s

peak

the

lang

uage

. Pr

ay

for

God

to g

ive

favo

r an

d m

otiva

tion

as K

elly

co

ntinu

es to

lear

n th

e lo

cal l

angu

age.

Thur

sday

: With

the

soci

etal

influ

ence

of t

he

relig

ious

trad

ition

s in

Cro

atia,

mos

t of t

he

peop

le a

re n

ot o

pen

to th

e go

spel

. M

ost d

o no

t w

ant t

o ta

lk a

bout

God

, whi

ch m

akes

it to

ugh

to e

ngag

e pe

ople

. Pr

ay fo

r G

od to

ope

n do

ors

and

give

Josi

p an

d Ke

lly o

ppor

tuni

ties

to s

hare

th

e go

spel

.

Frid

ay: P

ray

for

Josi

p an

d Ke

lly to

take

ad

vant

age

of th

e op

port

uniti

es G

od p

rese

nts

them

to b

uild

rela

tions

hips

and

dis

cipl

e ot

hers

w

ith th

e go

spel

.

Satu

rday

: Pra

y fo

r G

od to

str

engt

hen

Josi

p an

d Ke

lly’s

mar

riag

e as

they

min

iste

r to

oth

ers

and

rais

e th

eir

child

ren

in C

roati

a. P

ray

for

God

to

give

wis

dom

to Jo

sip

as h

e le

ads

his

fam

ily fo

r G

od’s

glo

ry.

Live

s/Ch

urch

As

Paul

beg

ins

to c

lose

out

his

lett

er to

Tim

othy

, he

once

aga

in a

ddre

sses

fals

e te

ache

rs, b

ut t

his

time

he ta

kes

aim

at t

heir

lack

of c

onte

ntm

ent,

cle

arly

por

tray

ed in

thei

r lo

ve o

f mon

ey. T

hese

sho

rt v

erse

s co

mpr

ise

one

of th

e m

ost p

oign

ant,

pie

rcin

g in

dict

men

ts o

f mat

eria

lism

in a

ll of

the

New

Test

amen

t. T

his

is a

par

ticul

ar d

ange

r for

us i

n th

e cu

lture

, con

text

, and

com

mun

ity w

here

we

live,

and

so th

is S

unda

y w

e w

ill c

onsi

der w

hat c

onte

ntm

ent l

ooks

like

and

how

we

mus

t res

ist,

in e

very

way

, the

love

of m

oney

. Pra

y th

at yo

u w

ould

be

free

from

the

love

of m

oney

in yo

ur o

wn

life.

Pra

y for

a co

nten

tmen

t tha

t pro

pels

radi

cal

givi

ng a

nd ra

dica

l livi

ng fo

r the

sake

of t

he gl

ory o

f Chr

ist t

o sa

tura

te o

ur ch

urch

. Pra

y tha

t our

chur

ch w

ould

be

gua

rded

from

an

unhe

alth

y le

galis

m a

nd th

at w

e w

ould

han

dle

our p

osse

ssio

ns w

ith jo

y an

d gr

ace.

All

To U

sby

Matt

Red

man

, Matt

Mah

er, J

esse

Ree

ves

and

Chri

s To

mlin

Prec

ious

cor

ners

tone

sur

e fo

unda

tion

You

are

faith

ful t

o th

e en

dW

e ar

e w

aitin

g on

You

Jesu

sW

e be

lieve

You

’re a

ll to

us

Let t

he g

lory

of Y

our

nam

e Be

the

pass

ion

of th

e Ch

urch

Let t

he r

ight

eous

ness

of G

od

Be a

hol

y fla

me

that

bur

nsLe

t the

sav

ing

love

of C

hris

t Be

the

mea

sure

of o

ur li

ves

We

belie

ve Y

ou’re

all

to u

s

Onl

y So

n of

God

sen

t fro

m H

eave

nH

ope

and

mer

cy a

t the

cro

ssYo

u ar

e ev

eryt

hing

You

’re th

e Pr

omis

eJe

sus

You

are

all t

o us

You’

re a

ll to

us

You’

re a

ll to

us

You’

re a

ll to

us

Yes

You

are

Whe

n th

is p

assi

ng w

orld

is o

ver

We

will

see

You

face

to fa

ceA

nd fo

reve

r w

e w

ill w

orsh

ipJe

sus

You

are

all t

o us

Copy

righ

t©20

10 w

orsh

ipto

geth

er.c

om S

ongs

/si

xste

ps M

usic

/Vam

os P

ublis

hing

/Sai

d A

nd d

one

Mus

ic/T

hank

you

Mus

ic/s

piri

tand

song

.com

Pub

lihin

g

Due

to c

opyr

ight

lim

itatio

ns, w

e ar

e on

ly

allo

wed

to p

rint t

he ly

rics

to th

is s

ong

with

no

cho

rds.

We

enco

urag

e yo

u to

dow

nloa

d an

mp3

of t

his

song

from

iTun

es.

Scri

ptur

e M

emor

y“N

ow th

ere

is g

reat

gai

n in

god

lines

s w

ith c

onte

ntm

ent,

for

we

brou

ght n

othi

ng in

to th

e w

orld

, and

we

cann

ot ta

ke a

nyth

ing

out o

f the

wor

ld.”

1 T

imot

hy 6

:6-7