We had to cover a lot of ground in Genesis on Saturday. Started in chapter 11 with Terah having a son (Abam) and ended in chapter 35 with Isaac dying at 180 years old. It is a fascinating part of history when God makes promises and has a relationship with his creation. No matter how many times we take timing and matters into our own hands (Sarai telling Abram to have a child with Hagar), God keeps his promise. No matter how many times we get scared and lie or act deceitful (Abraham lying about Sarah being his sister and not his wife), God still protects his plans and promises.
However, our sin does affect generations. Isaac lied about his wife to Abimelech. Jacob and Rebekah deceived Isaac. Laban deceived Jacob. Jacob's boys lied about their brother Joseph. And we do the same.
We understand that all these family members had a choice. They were not forced to follow a pattern of sin through their heritage. But our actions, good and bad, help shape our future generations.
Challenge:
Have your parents shaped or influenced your life?
How are you shaping and influencing the lives of your children?
What one sin from your parents would you like help in eliminating from your life?
What are some virtues that are currently a part of your life that you need to pass on to your children, grandchildren, and others in your life?
LIFE GROUPS: You don’t have to be a member of the church to join one of Lake Pointe’s small groups called Life Groups…it’s “the church within the church”. Life Groups are made up of people with similar ages or family structures meeting together for: •Living For Others | Mission/Ministry •Interactive Bible Study •Fellowship •Encouragement This is where real, life-enriching relationships can form and develop.
Monday, September 26, 2016
Monday, September 12, 2016
Weekly Challenge: Abraham
That was a great life group on Saturday. We had fun using a Kahoot to learn about Abraham and we had great discussions on faith and trust.
I liked the definition which stated "faith is not believing in spite of evidence; faith is obeying in spite of consequence".
Abraham obeying in spite of consequence of losing his promised son.
Daniel and friends obeying in spite of consequence of losing their lives to Nebuchadnezzar.
Mary obeying in spite of consequence of losing her husband and family. She said "I am the Lords servant. May it be to me as you have said".
Abraham was not perfect in his faith. He was commanded to leave his family yet he took his dad, his wife, and his nephew Lot. He did not trust God's timeline and took matters into his own control and slept with Hagar to have a son. He lied about his wife. He failed occasionally as we all do. But the general trend of his life was marked by faithful obedience.
Here is the weekly challenge:
1. Read the Faith hall of fame in Hebrews 11.
2. Ask God how you can obey in spite of the consequence. Then talk it over with your family during dinner.
Be intentional.
Travis
I liked the definition which stated "faith is not believing in spite of evidence; faith is obeying in spite of consequence".
Abraham obeying in spite of consequence of losing his promised son.
Daniel and friends obeying in spite of consequence of losing their lives to Nebuchadnezzar.
Mary obeying in spite of consequence of losing her husband and family. She said "I am the Lords servant. May it be to me as you have said".
Abraham was not perfect in his faith. He was commanded to leave his family yet he took his dad, his wife, and his nephew Lot. He did not trust God's timeline and took matters into his own control and slept with Hagar to have a son. He lied about his wife. He failed occasionally as we all do. But the general trend of his life was marked by faithful obedience.
Here is the weekly challenge:
1. Read the Faith hall of fame in Hebrews 11.
2. Ask God how you can obey in spite of the consequence. Then talk it over with your family during dinner.
Be intentional.
Travis
Monday, September 5, 2016
Life Group weekly challenge: Lucifer
Our new series started with a study of Adam and Eve. On Saturday we studied Lucifer.
As a continuation of what Jamie started last week, we
know that spiritual warfare is real. It
can be easy to state and sometimes even comforting to believe. But we still have a difficult time when
talking about Satan. Why?? Maybe Verbal Kint is correct when in The
Usual Suspects he says the greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing
a world that he doesn’t exist. Or maybe
our culture has created a pitchfork carrying character similar to a Santa
Claus.
So we took time in Life Group to go through the bible and
list the names used to describe or talk about Lucifer. Here is a partial list:
Accuser, adversary, lion, Beelzebul, ruler of demons, Belial,
Leviathan, twisted serpent, devil, father of lies, dragon, serpent, satan, evil
spirit, ruler of this world, prince of the power of the air, tempter, god of
this world, Lucifer, angel of light, the enemy, Angel of the abyss, Abaddon,
Apollyon
Then we made a list of the attributes or characteristics
of Satan:
Was the anointed cherub, is limited spatially, and not
omnipresent.
He is a liar, an oppressor, and an imitator.
He came to kill, steal, and destroy.
He will tempt, he plans, he schemes, he fights, he loses.
My challenge
for you this week involves watching this clip of Bishop Ron Archer testimony.
Then I want you to stand with your family outside of your
house and tell Satan that he is not welcome in your home. Tell him that in the power of the name of
Jesus, that you forbid him to work in your home. Then pray a blessing on your house and
family.
Be intentional this week.
Travis
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