Coming Home From Work

Many times the stress of the day weighs heavy on us parents and when coming home from work we can look and sound like we have been through a battle. Come home today with excitment and love. Let go of all the stress and talk to your kids about the Joy of the Lord and how it is our strength and can get us through anything.

Sunday April 1st 2012

The brief mention of Jesus' flogging and torture in this passage may leave readers thinking they were no big deal. On the contrary, flogging mentioned in Matthew 27:26 was a severe beating, inflicted with a leather whip that had many ends-each with a piece of bone or metal in it. The whip would rip the victim's skin, leaving his flesh raw-even exposing bones and organs. The flogging itself sometimes killed the victim. But the torturous beating wasn't enough. The soldiers ruthlessly mocked Jesus, making fun of his claims to be a king. People deny Jesus' claim today when they refuse to acknowledge Jesus as God and king of their lives.

Matthew 27:26-31

John 3:16

• Why did Jesus choose to suffer for us?

• How does it feel to know JESUS SUFFERED FOR YOU?

• How does Jesus' suffering change your life?

Sunday March 28th 2012

The disease called leprosy in the Bible is generally thought to be the same as what we call Hansen's disease today. That disease often results in rotting flesh, which can be repulsive. That would at least partially explain why lepers were outcasts, forced to live outside the village. As seen in today's passage, they weren't even allowed to get close to other people. It's interesting that Jesus didn't heal the 10 lepers on the spot. Before they could be healed, they had to act on what Jesus told them to do. They had to respond to Jesus in faith by heading toward town to see the priest. If they hadn't trusted Jesus, they probably wouldn't have gone-they would have looked foolish showing up before the priest still having leprosy. But when they demonstrated their faith, they were healed.

Luke 17:11-19

1 Thessalonians 5:18


• How would you feel if you were one of the 10 lepers Jesus healed?

• What would you tell people if you had just been healed? How would you act?
• Why do you think only one person returned to thank Jesus for what he had done?

• Are there things in your life lately that you've forgotten or neglected to thank Jesus for?

Wildside Is Back

When: Friday March 30th 2012

6:30pm-9:00pm

Click link For more information and to register.

Going To Church

On your way to a church service talk as a family about the blessing of religious freedom. Pray for other countries that do not have these freedoms and thank God for being blessed to live in one that does.

Sunday March 18th 2012

Wise and Foolish Builders
Jesus used everyday images to drive home his truths to people he spoke to-in Bible times and throughout the ages, including us! Everyone needs shelter, so everyone can relate to wanting a sturdy shelter that's able to withstand the forces of nature. A house built on a firm foundation won't wash away when the storms come.
Likewise, a life built on the firm foundation of faith in Jesus won't fall apart when life's crises arrive. When life is calm, foundations don't seem so important. But when trouble hits, only the rock-solid foundation of Jesus can help us survive the storm.

Luke 6:46-49
John 14:15


• When is a time you disobeyed your parents? What were the consequences?
• When is a time you disobeyed Jesus? What happened?
• How do you feel inside when you disobey?
• When and where are you most likely to disobey? Why?
• When Jesus talked about floods hitting the houses, what do you think he meant by "floods"?
• Why do you think it's important to do what Jesus says?

Sunday March 11th 2012

Jesus Feeds 5,000
Jesus and the disciples withdrew from the crowds to "a quiet place, where they could be alone." Unfortunately for them, the crowds followed. Jesus, instead of slipping away to have his privacy, showed that he cared more about the needs of the curious crowd than about his own needs.
When you think about the size of the fish and the small loaves (probably only a few ounces each) compared with the size of the crowd (probably more than 10,000 people, including women and children), this was an amazing miracle. Even after all the people had eaten, the food that remained was many times more than had originally been given.

Mark 6:30-44
Philippians 4:19


• What do you think Jesus' followers thought when they saw that they had only two fish and five loaves of bread to feel all those people?
• How would you have felt if you had seen Jesus' miracle that day?