A beautiful morning for riding. The strip of yellow in the background is a paddock of canola.
Today’s Bike Ride
Author: newlifenarrabri
Quote for the Day
The Kingdom – minded Christian knows that God is in control and that every new development and culture shift is actually an opportunity for the Kingdom of God to arise and shine! Paul Botha
Today’s Bike Ride
Another cold and cloudy morning. Not too bad for a quick ride 😀
Quote for the Day
The second-century world is, in a sense, our world, where Christianity is a choice—and a choice likely at some point to run afoul of the authorities. Carl Trueman
Families in Cell Groups
Families in Cell Groups
Every member of the family is created in God’s image, from the youngest to the oldest. Children are meant to be a part of the cell group. They can hear God and they can minister to other people just as powerfully as any adult.
I was talking to someone a month or so ago who said their cell group hadn’t met all year, partly because some of the children were a problem. They hosted the group at their home, but were tired of the children spending group time in their children’s bedrooms and “trashing the joint.” They were thankful when renovations made the home unsuitable for hosting the group.
My wife told these people, “If you do not include the children now, you won’t have them at all later.” We shared some resources and tips to include children in the group.
I lead a group in our church that is specifically family focused. We try to make it children friendly and also relevant to the adults. I am always sure to include worship music and some child-related videos that relate to the theme of the day. We also have a Bible passage that I encourage the children to read.
Food is important. We have the children prepare something that can cook during the cell meeting and they look forward to that for the end of the group.
Sometimes the kids are unruly, and the parents don’t discipline them or hold them accountable for their behaviour. Sometimes the adults are out of sorts and refuse to join in.
But other times I see the lights go on in the hearts of a child or a parent and I think, “Yes! God is working here, despite everything!”
Children need to be included as much as possible in group life. Some groups have a separate lesson time for children. They include the children for the Welcome and Worship segments, and then a different adult each week takes the children to another room for the Word part. That approach works, but make sure that you have child safe protocols in place- both the legal requirements for Working With Children Checks and your church policies and guidelines for children’s ministry.
Also, when you are thinking about whether the group is getting to the size where it needs to multiply (i.e. 12-14 people), make sure you count the children. They are people too, and they are apart of the inter-personal dynamics of the group.
So let’s keep on persevering in including all people of all ages in our groups, and celebrate the wonderful things that God can do.
Reflection on Hebrews 2:5-9
Scripture
“You gave them authority over all things.” Now when it says, “all things,” it means nothing is left out. But we have not yet seen all things put under their authority.
Observation
It is not angels who will rule in the future. In Psalm 8, it says that mere mortals are only a little lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honour. Yet we will rule over all things, including the angels.
We do not yet rule over all things. But Jesus, who was given a position lower than the angels when He became a human, suffered death for us, and is now “crowned with glory and honour.”
Application
God’s intention was that people would have authority over all of creation. That includes the spirit realm as well as the physical creation.
But Adam’s sin took that authority away. Rather than reigning over all things, humanity is often limited by and overwhelmed by creation.
Over the centuries, we have learnt how to use technology to tame our world, but a plague, a flood, or a tsunami can still kill millions of people.
What we achieved through technology is meant to be achieved in relationship with God through faith in Christ. In the age to come, those who have been raised to life in Christ will rule over the new heavens and the new Earth.
Prayer
Thank you Lord for the destiny and the plan that you have for me in this life and in the life to come. Amen
Today’s Bike Ride
A very cold start this morning. We had a blustery southerly change last night, but it cleared to a cloudless day.
Quote for the Day
Protestants need to recover both natural law and a high view of the physical body. Some will immediately object that natural law will not persuade the wider world to change its opinions about anything. I would concede that. My concern here is not primarily for the outside world but for the church herself. She needs to be able to teach her people coherently about moral principles. Carl Trueman
Reflection on Hebrews 2:1-4
Scripture
So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak?
Observation
We must listen carefully to the truth of God’s word, otherwise we may drift away from it. God’s message has always stood firm.
What makes us think we will be exempt from punishment if we ignore the salvation that has come to us through Jesus? God confirmed His message through signs and wonders, miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Application
How can we ignore the gospel and the salvation that comes to us through Jesus Christ? How could we turn our backs on such a precious gift from our lord?
There are two types of people who ignore the gift of salvation
1. The people who hear the word but ignore it, or even ridicule it. In their pride they see no need for salvation.
2. Those who received the word but, for whatever reason, they drift away from the truth. In the parable of the sower, Jesus suggested this was due to shallowness of conviction, the cares of the world, or deception by Satan that this happens.
It is so sad when people just turn their backs on Jesus. it is like they have tasted something wonderful and decided it’s not so good.
Prayer
Lord, I pray there for those people who once walked with you but no longer do so. Bring them back to you and your great salvation. Amen
Quote for the Day
Our moral consciousness is very much shaped by our community. And for this reason, the church needs to be a strong community. Carl Trueman
