Parent Connection

REMIX

In large group tonight we took a closer look at the story of the Rich Young Ruler who encountered Jesus.  During this encounter Jesus asked him to do something that was very different.  Jesus told him that if he wanted to not lack anything, basically if he wanted all that God had for him, he must take all that he had, sell it, and give the money to those in need.  We discovered that Jesus realized that the young man was consumed with his possession, and Jesus wanted him to understand that God is a consuming God who demands that we too be consumed with Him, instead of allowing ourselves to be consumed by other things.  Jesus wants us to be consumed with Him because what we are consumed with gets our full attention, and because what we are consumed with will control everything we say and do in our lives.  If we allow ourselves to be consumed with anything other than God, it will rob our attention off of God, and stops God from controlling our lives, and puts that power in something or someone else.  What is cool is that God does not force us to be consumed with Him; He simply gives us the choice to do so.  It is up to us to choose to be consumed with Him.

As a family sit down and read Joshua 24:15-16 together:

Then Joshua said to the people, “Now respect the Lord and serve him fully and sincerely. Throw away the gods that your ancestors worshiped on the other side of the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord. But if you don’t want to serve the Lord, you must choose for yourselves today whom you will serve. You may serve the gods that your ancestors worshiped when they lived on the other side of the Euphrates River, or you may serve the gods of the Amorites who lived in this land. As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

In this passage, Joshua is at the end of his life and leadership of God’s people.  His instructions were clear to the people…they had to make a choice in who they would be consumed with.   Joshua had made his choice, but knew that each person had to make that choice for themselves.

Allow each person in your family to answer the following questions:

• What things do you struggle with being consumed with?
• On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate yourself on being consumed with God?
• What are some indicators that let you know what you are consumed with? (What you talk about the most, what you spend the most amount of time doing.)
• According to these, what would you say that you are consumed with?
• Like Joshua, you have to make a choice to be consumed with God.  Have you made that choice?  Do you make it daily?  If not, what is holding you back?

CATALYST

Series – Christmas in Chaos

Theme – Doubt in the Chaos

Joseph’s role in the Christmas story is often looked over….we all kinda speed read past it to get to the manger, but he dealt with doubt in a huge way! Check it out in Matthew 1:18-25.

Joseph faces a naturally impossible situation with a pregnant fiancé. Doubt is all he can see! But he chose to put his faith in God instead if his doubts, and was there for the greatest miracle known to humanity!

What doubts are you facing that seem impossible to understand or get past?

When was the last time you chose to act on faith instead of doubt?

This Christmas, remember as a family the incredible faith it took for Joseph to act on what he was told. As you face the doubts that surround you, take them to God first, then simply obey. Merry Christmas!

BLOUNT

Series – Christmas In Chaos

Theme – Clarity in the Chaos

Discuss the following questions as a family, or with your student:

What is the meaning of Christmas?

Why are there presents?

Why do we celebrate Jesus’ birth with a large guy in a red suit?

In 2010, the season of Christmas has become more than a religious celebration, it is a cultural holiday. The danger that we find in that is that we can end up celebrating the wrong things.  Check out Luke 2:1-7.

To Mary, Christmas started out looking like a complete mess. She found herself pregnant, on the verge of a broken engagement and nearly kicked out of her family.  Not exactly winter wonderland, right? But what Mary experienced was the greatest miracle known to humanity: God came to earth as a man. Wow! That’s what we celebrate at Christmas.  God loves us and wants a relationship with us, so badly, that He sent Jesus to walk our streets and breathe our air…why?

You see, Christmas is a 2 part message. Because of Christmas, we can celebrate Easter. Jesus came to earth to make a way for us to be with God! And that way included His death and resurrection!  THAT is why we celebrate!

So, in the midst of this chaotic Christmas, do you have Christmas clarity? Is the hustle and bustle centered around getting the right present, or as a result of receiving THE present?

If you or your family would like more information on what Christmas is all about, please feel free to call our student office at 865-251-2590….we’d love to talk to you!!  Merry Christmas!!