familyworshipguide–’week’42’ week 42.pdf · o for a thousand tongues to sing lyrics by...
TRANSCRIPT
Copyright ©2010 The Church at Brook Hills www.brookhills.org 1
Family Worship Guide – Week 42 READ
o Read John 6:25-‐51 o Prior to this passage, Jesus performed a miracle (6:1-‐15) by feeding over five thousand people with five loaves of
bread and two fish. This miracle met an urgent physical need. However, the purpose of the miracle was to reveal Jesus Christ as God’s appointed Messiah. He did not merely seek to meet an urgent, yet temporary, need of physical hunger but the urgent, yet eternal, need of spiritual famine. He used the provision of physical food as an illustration of God’s provision of spiritual life. Ultimately, through performing and subsequently explaining the miracle, Jesus Christ reveals that He is more necessary for life than food.
o The next day, a large crowd of people pursued Jesus. They did so not because they wanted Jesus but because they wanted His gifts. They wanted the miracles, not the One to whom the miracles pointed. Throughout John’s Gospel, miracles are often referred to as “signs.” All signs point to something beyond themselves. A stop sign points to a busy, dangerous intersection. Anyone who has ever taken a trip to Disneyworld sees signs for Disneyworld hundreds of miles before actually reaching Disneyworld. Stopping at the sign would result in an utterly dissatisfying vacation.
o The people in this passage were so focused on the sign that they failed to see the One to whom the sign pointed (v. 26). They wanted full stomachs and not eternal life. Ironically, the people believed the Messiah’s ministry would be accompanied by signs from God (v. 30). But, again, they were more interested in seeing signs than seeing the Savior. They refer to Moses and the miraculous provision of food for the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings (c.r. Ex. 16). Jesus dismissed the people’s tendency to credit Moses for that miracle by identifying His Father as the one who provided for their needs (v. 32). Just as the Father sent the bread to care for the temporary needs of His people, He sent His Son, the Bread of Life, to care for the ultimate needs of the world. Bottom Line: Jesus Christ is more necessary for life than food. Questions: What is the purpose of a sign? What was the primary purpose for the miracle performed in John 6? Why is Jesus Christ more necessary for life than food? Do we want God’s provision more than His person? In what ways do we seek to satisfy our spiritual hunger and thirst (v. 35)? How might we more consistently seek life in Christ?
PRAY o Read Window on the World, pg. 158-‐159 Sri Lanka o Use Prayer Card
SING o Use lyric sheet and mp3 download of “O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing” o Charles Wesley wrote “O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing” in 1739, a year after a major spiritual revival in his life. It
was originally an eighteen-‐stanza poem that was later trimmed down and set to music. The purpose behind Wesley’s hymns was always to teach theology. With this song, he underscores the power of Jesus alone to break the chains of our sin, and at one time he even suggested it be sung each year by believers on the anniversary of their coming to faith in Christ. We chose this song because it points to the Giver and not His gifts. Its opening lines were inspired by Wesley’s friend, Peter Böhler, who once remarked, “Had I a thousand tongues I would praise Him with them all.” It is God, our “great Redeemer” and “gracious Master”, who has released us from eternal bondage. Therefore, it is not the freedom He has granted us to whom we sing praise, but to God Himself, for He is the One with the authority, power and grace to pardon us. For that we will proclaim His glory to the nations.
MEMORIZE o John 6:35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes
in me shall never thirst.”
Copyright ©2010 The Church at Brook Hills www.brookhills.org 2
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 activities and questions can replace or serve as a supplement to the questions under the “Read” section on Page 1. Remember that 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 (Birth-‐Kindergarten) o Before you begin, gather several pieces of bread and place them in a basket. Talk to your child about the miracle
Jesus performed in John 6. Ask your child why Jesus did that. Explain that Jesus wanted the people to understand who He is. The people who ate the bread went to look for Jesus the next day. Was it because they loved Jesus or because of the bread? They loved the bread more than Jesus. Were they right? No. What is more important and precious, Jesus, or the good things He gives us?
o Is it sometimes hard to think about Jesus instead of thinking about the things He gives us? The food we eat now doesn’t last. We get hungry again. Jesus said that He is like bread but better. We need Him just like we need food to eat, but unlike food, Jesus stays with us forever. We need Him more than food. Our bodies need food to be healthy (like cereal, apples, and milk). Our hearts need Jesus to be healthy. When we follow Jesus and turn away from our bad choices, we will be different. Jesus will satisfy us and give us life forever in heaven with Him.
Children (Grades 1-‐5)
o Ask your children what the difference is between a want and a need. Make sure they understand that a need is something that you must have in order to live, whereas a want is merely something that is desirable or would make life more comfortable.
o Divide the room in half with an imaginary line. Tell your child that one side will represents “wants” and the other “needs”. Explain that you will say a word or words, and they will have to move to the side of the room that represents the correct answer. Call out items from the following list one at a time, and after each item, have your child move as quickly as possible to the correct side of the room. Then have them move back to the center of the room after each question. Feel free to insert your own examples: Nintendo Wii, trip to iJump, clean water, cell phone, DVDs, basic food, Yogurt Mountain, having your own room, basic clothing.
o Ask your child which items on the list were needs. (clean water, basic food, basic clothing) Ask what would happen if someone went for a very long time without food. They would feel hungry, have less energy, and if they went long enough they wouldn’t be able to live any longer. Explain that food is important because it is necessary to live. But as important as food is, Jesus taught that there is something even more important that physical food. Jesus said that there is living bread that comes down from heaven, and “If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever” (John 6:51a). Physical food will sustain our bodies during this life, but Jesus has made a way for us to live forever by giving Himself on the cross and rising from the dead for the sins of His people.
Students (Grades 6-‐12)
o The people in Jesus’ day wanted signs and proof that He was indeed the Messiah. What are some signs, or proof, that God exists which people today look for?
o Some of those who were following Jesus seemed to be following Him for what they could gain from Him. If a person is following Christ because of what they can gain from Him now (such as blessings, answered prayer, etc.), what is the likely outcome when their circumstances change?
o Why is bread considered a basic staple to most diets and meals? What does it mean when Christ calls Himself “The Bread of Life?” How is Jesus different from the temporary bread (manna) that God sent His people from heaven in the wilderness when He brought them out of Egypt?
o How should life be different when we learn to seek after and depend on Christ for who He is, rather than the gifts and signs He gives?
Pra
yer
W
eek
42In
terc
essi
onIn
terc
essi
on m
eans
pra
ying
for
oth
ers’
spi
ritu
al a
nd p
hysi
cal n
eeds
. G
od t
ells
us
in H
is W
ord
to p
ray
for
othe
rs.
If yo
u de
sire
to re
ad s
ome
pass
ages
from
Scr
iptu
re a
bout
this
, som
e ar
e lis
ted
belo
w.
Bibl
ical
Bas
is fo
r In
terc
essi
on:
1 Co
rint
hian
s 10
:3-5
; Gal
atian
s 6:
2; E
phes
ians
6:1
8-21
; 1 T
imot
hy 2
:1-8
Take
an
oppo
rtun
ity fo
r tho
se g
athe
red
with
you
in w
orsh
ip to
men
tion
spec
ific
pray
er n
eeds
of o
ther
s. P
ray
for
each
one
of t
hese
requ
ests
spe
cific
ally
.
Nati
ons:
Sri
Lan
kaSr
i Lan
ka h
as b
een
plag
ued
with
yea
rs o
f vio
lenc
e, c
ivil
war
and
nat
ural
dis
aste
rs.
Pray
for t
he h
andl
ing
• of
imm
ense
hum
an n
eeds
in th
e aft
erm
ath
of th
ese
situ
ation
s.
His
tori
cally
, Sri
Lan
ka h
as b
een
tole
rant
and
wel
com
ing
of r
efug
ees
fleei
ng p
erse
cutio
n. B
ut r
ecen
tly,
• re
ligio
us e
xtre
mis
m a
nd p
erse
cutio
n is
ris
ing.
Pra
y fo
r ou
r br
othe
rs a
nd s
iste
rs in
Chr
ist w
ho a
re b
eing
pe
rsec
uted
. Pr
ay fo
r st
reng
th a
nd s
tead
fast
faith
fuln
ess
as th
ey e
ndur
e ha
rdsh
ip.
The
Sri L
anka
n ch
urch
is g
row
ing
but
som
etim
es a
t th
e ex
pens
e of
bib
lical
tea
chin
g fo
r th
e sa
ke o
f •
com
petiti
ve g
row
th.
Pray
that
the
Sri L
anka
n Ch
urch
will
gro
w w
ith th
e pr
iori
ty o
n Bi
blic
al d
isci
ples
hip
as th
eir
mod
el a
nd n
ot fo
r th
e sa
ke o
f num
bers
or
secu
lar
succ
ess.
Ther
e ar
e m
any
unre
ache
d pe
ople
gro
ups
in S
ri L
anka
. Pr
ay th
at b
elie
vers
in S
ri L
anka
wou
ld s
hare
the
• G
ospe
l and
mak
e H
is n
ame
know
n an
d th
at G
od w
ould
rais
e up
mis
sion
arie
s to
thes
e pe
ople
gro
ups.
Sour
ce: O
pera
tion
Wor
ld b
y Jo
hnst
one
and
Man
dryk
Scr
iptu
re M
emor
y
Wee
k 42
John
6:3
5 J
esus
sai
d to
the
m, “
I am
the
bre
ad o
f lif
e; w
hoev
er
com
es t
o m
e sh
all n
ot h
unge
r, an
d w
hoev
er b
elie
ves
in m
e sh
all
neve
r th
irst.”
O F
or A
Tho
usan
d To
ngue
s To
Sin
gLy
rics
by
Char
les
Wes
ley
Add
ition
al L
yric
s an
d A
rran
gem
ent b
y D
avid
Cro
wde
r
O fo
r a
thou
sand
tong
ues
to s
ing
My
grea
t Red
eem
er’s
pra
ise
The
glor
ies
of m
y G
od a
nd K
ing
The
triu
mph
s of
His
gra
ce
My
grac
ious
Mas
ter
and
my
God
Ass
ist m
e to
pro
clai
mTo
spr
ead
thro
ugh
all t
he e
arth
abr
oad
The
hono
rs o
f Thy
nam
e
So c
ome
on a
nd s
ing
out
Let o
ur a
nthe
m g
row
loud
Ther
e is
one
gre
at lo
ve Je
sus
Jesu
s, th
e na
me
that
cha
rms
our
fear
sTh
at b
ids
our
sorr
ows
ceas
e‘T
is m
usic
in th
e si
nner
’s e
ars
‘Tis
life
and
hea
lth a
nd p
eace
He
brea
ks th
e po
wer
of c
ance
lled
sin
He
sets
the
pris
oner
s fr
eeH
is b
lood
can
mak
e th
e fo
ules
t cle
anH
is b
lood
ava
iled
for
me
He
spea
ks a
nd li
sten
ing
to H
is v
oice
New
life
the
dead
rece
ive
The
mou
rnfu
l bro
ken
hear
ts re
joic
eTh
e hu
mbl
e po
or b
elie
ve
Glo
ry to
God
and
pra
ise
and
love
Be e
ver
ever
giv
’nBy
sai
nts
belo
w a
nd s
aint
s ab
ove
The
chur
ch in
ear
th a
nd H
eav’
n
Ther
e ar
e so
few
wor
dsTh
at n
ever
gro
w o
ldTh
ere
are
so fe
w w
ords
That
nev
er g
row
old
Jesu
s
Copy
righ
t©20
07 E
MI C
hris
tian
Mus
ic
Gro
up
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
chor
ds.
We
enco
urag
e yo
u to
do
wnl
oad
an m
p3 o
f thi
s so
ng fr
om
iTun
es.
Cop
yrig
ht ©
2010
The
Chu
rch
at B
rook
Hill
s