The sermon for August 28th 2022 is now available on the New Life web site.
In this sermon, which is based on John 4:1-42, Margaret Bates talks about Welcoming The Outsider.
Click here to listen in your browser, here to download the mp3
Quote for the Day
Family is the primary transmitter of culture. It is by far the most effective method for moulding generation upon generation of people who hold the same values. Whatever values and belief systems are deposited into our children, they will take into their adult lives and into their spheres of influence. Paul Botha
Today’s Bike Ride
A shorter ride today as my body was not very co-operative.
Quote for the Day
We will see the miraculous power of God imparted through godly people laying hands on the sick. Rather than rely on a new super-drug or treatment, the Kingdom of God will advance rapidly, as desperate people find hope in a God who heals! Paul Botha
Today’s Bike Ride
A beautiful morning for riding. The strip of yellow in the background is a paddock of canola.
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
