June Parent's Link

Clubhouse: (preschool- birth thru 5 pre-k)

Big Idea: Made by God.

Week One: God made the water.
Week Two: God made the sky and sun and moon and stars.
Week Three: God made the land and plants.
Week Four: God made animals.
Week Five: God made people.

Professor Georgia Purdom (Ph.D., Molecular Genetics) shares the following tips for talking to young children about creation.

• I try to take advantage of “on-the-spot” teaching moments. When I am pulling weeds in the garden, I talk about the Curse and that if Adam and Eve (and all of us) wouldn’t have sinned, there would be no weeds to pull!

• When people or pets die (or our outdoor cats bring dead animals to the house), I talk about why things die (the bad news) and the good news that we can live forever in heaven when we die if we have become a child of God.

• The fossil shells embedded in rocks on our property give me a chance to talk about Noah’s Flood.

• We were watching a program about big cats (tigers, etc.) and domestic cats, and I talked about God making different kinds of animals and how big and little cats both came from the same original cat kind and how awesome the diversity was that God created. When we see an amazing feature of an animal (on a TV show), I point out God’s great design, imagination, artistry, etc. I read the animal articles from Answers magazine to Elizabeth, and we look at the kids section together. (Read more here.) For more ideas visit Kids Answers here.

First Look Preview Made By God (June 2013) from Orange on Vimeo.

Club 252 (elementary students)

View the Parent Preview video here.

Big Idea: God is doing something in you to change the world around you.

Memorize: “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Luke 2:52

Week 1 Bible Story: Jesus Grew Up (Luke 2:52)

Bottom Line: God is doing something in me to change the world around me.

Week 2 Bible Story: Jesus heals a blind man (John 9:1-38)

Bottom Line: God is doing something to show me who He is.

Week 3 Bible Story: Lazarus raised from the dead (John 11:1-44)

Bottom Line: God is doing something big to help me trust in Him.

Week 4 Bible Story: Calling of Matthew (Matthew 9:9-13)

Bottom Line: God is doing something in me to help me follow Him.

Week 5 Bible Story: Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23)

Bottom Line: God is doing something in me when I do what He says.

This month our middle and high school students are continue The God’s Story: The New Testament, (a Christ-centered Bible overview). Click here for The Gospel Project’s weekly One Conversation for Parents.

Big Idea: The Holy Spirit indwells, empowers, and builds.

“Real Christianity is never simply an addition to…something that has always been there. Instead, it is in some radical sense an about-face.” – Mark Dever

Listen to Jonny Hunt’s message “Ingredients of a Harmonious Church” here. 

Family discussion questions:

1. Why is it important for our family to grasp the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit?

2. How does the Holy Spirit help us live and proclaim the gospel?


3. How can our family relationships be strengthened as a result of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives?


4. How does the work of the Holy Spirit motivate our family to live on mission for God?

Jonathan's Jonah Story

I am Jonah-- Greater Than Jonah Questions for Discussion and Reflection

In Surprised by Grace Tullian Tchividjian writes, “Jonah is the only prophetic book in the Bible that focuses on the prophet himself rather than on his message. Jonah’s life is God’s message to his people.” (Page 143)  Jesus states in Matthew 12:41 and Luke11:32, “for they (Ninevites) repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.” (ESV) In what ways did Jonah shadow the coming and mission of Jesus?

Jonah and Jesus were sent--

    

     Jonah 1:2 & 3:2--

     Luke 19:10--

Jonah and Jesus preached to a rebellious people calling on them to repent--

     Jonah 3:4-5--

     Matthew 12:39; Mark 1:14--

Jonah in the “belly of the fish three days and three nights” (Jonah 1:17) foreshadowed Jesus in the tomb. 

     Jonah 1:17; Matthew 27:63-64--

     Matthew 12:40--

What do the following Scriptures reveal about the call of Christians to follow the example of Jonah and Jesus?

    John 20:21--

    2 Timothy 4:2--

    2 Corinthians 1:4-7--

NMBC on Channel 9 News-- Here's how you can give to relief efforts in Oklahoma okdisasterhelp.com

We've received many requests over the past few days on how to help our friends in Oklahoma. We're ready to collect specific items and send volunteers to assist with clean up and rebuilding. In addition to our prayers the best way we can help right now is to promote and give at okdisasterhelp.com.

You can give online here. Mail a check to BGCO, Attn: Disaster Relief, 3800 N. May Ave. Oklahoma, OK, 73112.  Click here for options of non-monetary gifts.

I am Jonah- Jonah's retreat (Jonah 4:1-11) Questions for Discussion and Reflection

In Jonah 4 Jonah retreats to a location east of Nineveh where he awaits God’s judgment of the city. To Jonah’s disappointment God hears and answers the prayers of the king and people of Nineveh to “relent and turn from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish” (Jonah 3:9). Despite Jonah’s hardness of heart God continues to pursue him by sending a plant, worm and revealing to Jonah His heart.

Andy Stanley observes of Jonah, “Jonah’s sin was that his religion was really all about him. While he eventually surrendered to the will of God, he never surrendered to the purposes of God…” (The Grace of God, page 117). What do Jonah 4:2 and 4:11 reveal about God’s purposes?

What does Jonah 4:5-10 reveal about Jonah’s “religion”?

What does Jonah 4:8 reveal about God’s preference of a believer’s godliness over his comfort?

What insights do the following Scriptures provide for understanding our identity, works, and relationship with God?

Identity-- 2 Corinthians 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1; Colossians 3:1; 1 John 4:11;    and Zephaniah 3:17--

               

Works-- Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians    2:19-20; and Revelation 22:12--

  

Relationship with God-- Philippians 3:10; John 17:3; and Jeremiah 9:23

Why do you think the book of Jonah end unresolved? What is the Holy Spirit leading you to do as a result of this study?

To dig deeper into the Christian’s identity in Christ download the bible study by Gospel Transformation, Gospel Identity here. 

Similarities between Jonah and the Elder Brother of Luke 15

Many have observed similarities between Jonah's attitude in Jonah 4 and the elder brother in Jesus' parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32.

Jonah 4:1, "But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry." (ESV) (He was angry because "God relented" from judging Nineveh (3:10)

Luke 15:28, "But he (the elder brother) was angry and refused to go in."

Jonah 4:2, "O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish..."

Luke 15:29, (Father) "Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat..."

Jonah 4:9, "But God said to Jonah..."

Luke 15:28b, "His father came out and entreated him..."

Listen to the following message given by Matt Chandler at the Legacy Conference. Compare the reaction of the elder brother in Luke 15 with that of Jonah in Jonah 4.

 

God's Messenger (the story of Jonah)

One of my favorite times during the week is walking my daughter home after picking her up from Club JAM (NMBC's mid-week children's ministry environment). She shares with me what she thought was funny about the video, a new song learned during worship team practice, a new truth she learned or something a friend said. If there is a lull in the conversation I ask her the typical "parent question", "So, what did you learn tonight?"

 It dawned on my this morning that while I often ask my girls about what they are learning, I rarely share with them what new truths "daddy is learning." It seems to me that this is part of the beauty of God's command in Deuteronomy 6:7, "You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." (ESV)

 Many of you have shared with me the impact the book of Jonah is having on your life and walk with Christ. Let me encourage you to share this with your family. My family loves the Jesus Storybook Bible. It is ideal for children 4 years old through elementary age.

Below enjoy a young girl sharing the Jonah story, God's Messenger from the Jesus Storybook Bible.

 

 Click here for family discussion questions and ideas from the story of Jonah in the Jesus Storybook Bible.

Megan Colantino's Jonah Story

I am Jonah: God of Second-Chances (Jonah 3:1-10) Questions for Discussion and Reflection

In his book The Grace of God Andy Stanley writes of Jonah, “From Jonah’s point of view, these people (the Ninevites)  weren’t worth saving. The last thing he wanted to do was be God’s emissary of grace. They didn’t deserve grace… So he ran… Yet God heard his cry for help. Perhaps it was then that Jonah realized that the purpose of God’s discipline was not to pay him back but to bring him back.” (page 109,112)

Compare Jonah 1:2 with Jonah 3:2. What does the change in God’s command to “preach against” Nineveh to “proclaim to” Nineveh reveal about Jonah’s experience of grace?

Read Jonah 3:1-10. How was Jonah “brought back”? Compare Jonah’s experience of grace with that of the Ninevites.

If Jonah’s lament in Jonah 4:2 is any indication of his attitude while preaching in Nineveh, his obedience was less than wholehearted. Despite this, the result of his preaching was revival. What encouragement do the following Scriptures offer regarding the effect of the Scriptures being proclaimed?

Joshua 1:8-9--

Isaiah 40:8; 1 Peter 1:25--

Isaiah 55:8-10--

Psalm 119:9-11--

Matthew 5:17-18--

John 17:17--

2 Timothy 3:16-17; 4:2--

To whom is the Holy Spirit leading you to be a messenger of grace?

 

 

 

2013 Women's Conference with Joani Tabor May 17th and 18th

Women, join us for the Women's Conference, May 17th & 18th with speaker and musician, Joani Tabor.

Joani's life verse is 1 Peter 5:7, "Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you." Joani celebrates life through her music, spreading her message of hope and encouragement.

Register for the conference here.    

Listen to the Star 99.1 radio spot here: 

                                   

I am Jonah-- Guest Speaker: Walter Kennedy

Walter and Diane Kennedy serve in Papua, Indonesia with TEAM. Pictured here are the fourteen families who have committed themselves to take the gospel to unreached communities of Papua. On May 5th the Kennedys shared their mission with our church family. Walter continued the teaching on the series, I am Jonah. Listen to Walter Kennedy's message here:


Operation World's prayer points for Indonesia--

Pray for:

a) Students in universities. They number 3.5 million in over 2,300 higher education institutions. A number of specialized agencies have extensive ministry on campuses (Navigators, IFES, CCCI and others). The IFES-linked student movement PERKANTAS has groups in over 50 cities. Islamic universities are rapidly growing in number and in influence. A significant minority of Indonesians study overseas, many in open nations – pray that they may be reached in other lands. Others are attracted by scholarships to study in Saudi Arabia.

b) School children. Forty percent of kids never make it to middle school. Children at Risk, Compassion International, Child Evangelism Fellowship, Awana, and Kids’ EE as well as denominations such as CMA work together to bring the gospel to the children of Indonesia. Many are at risk. Nearly three million are child labourers, often in dangerous. (MORE)

Think Orange- May 2013 Children and Youth Focus



To "Think Orange" is to imagine the impact of church and family working together to show the next generation who God is and His desire for their lives.

Here are the BIG ideas for May's teaching focus for preschool, children and youth ministries.

Clubhouse-- (preschool ministry, birth thru pre-K)

Big Idea: Helping Hands-- I can help others.

Memory Verse: Ephesians 4:32, "Be kind and loving to each other."

Week One: The Early Church

Week Two: Elisha’s Room

Week Three: Building a Wall

Week Four: Aaron Helps Moses

 

 

Watch Sunny preview the ideas behind the activities and stories told in the theme "Helping Hands" in the First Look curriculum. Preschoolers will learn that "I can help others."

Club 252/JAM-- (elementary ministry, Kindergarten thur 5^th grades)

Big Idea: Patience—waiting until later for what you want now. When you think you can’t wait, think twice. Just because we want something right now, we still need to take the time to think through the consequences. Don’t give up what’s best for something else.

Memory Verse: “Wait for the Lord. Be strong and don’t lose hope. Wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14, NIrV

Week One: In this week’s Bible story, Esau comes in from hunting and is very hungry (Genesis 25:24-34). When his younger brother, Jacob, offers him a bowl of stew in return for his birthright, Esau trades his entire inheritance for a full stomach. Esau’s impatience cost him everything.

Questions from this week’s Bible story:

 

1.            What were the names of the brothers in today’s story? (Jacob and Esau)

2.            What were the parents’ names? (Rebekah and Isaac)

3.            What was Jacob doing when Esau came home? (Cooking)

4.            What had Esau been doing before he came home? (Hunting)

5.            Why was Esau named Esau? (Because he was red and hairy.)

6.            Which son was Rebekah’s favorite? (Jacob)

7.            Which son was Isaac’s favorite? (Esau)

8.            Which brother was born first? (Esau)

9.            What did Esau trade his birthright for? (Stew)

 

 

Student Bible Fellowship: (6^th thru 8^th and 9^th thru 12^th grades)

Big Idea: The Kingdom of God is present, is powerful, is proclaimed, and is authoritative.

The teaching ministry of Jesus was centered on the kingdom of God -- the arrival of God's reign in fulfillment of His promises to His people. In response to Jesus' proclamation of the kingdom of God, we must repent of our own personal agendas, trust in Him as our King, and then represent Him faithfully in the world.

Family Discussion Questions: Use these questions to begin thinking through and applying the lessons to your family life:


Discuss: What is the "kingdom of God"? What role does Jesus play in the kingdom of God? How do we serve the kingdom of God?

Discuss the following quote:  “Authority and submission are two sides to the same coin.” – Adrian Rogers  How does this change your understanding of a relationship with Jesus?

1. Why is it important for our family to understand the importance of the kingdom of God?

2. How does the Gospel help our families understand the kingdom of God?


3. How can our family relationships be strengthened as a result of the God's kingdom?


4. How does the Gospel motivate our family to live on mission for God's kingdom?

Summer 2013 Teaching Series: The Fundamentals

Since becoming part of the NMBC family my girls and I have enjoyed playing wiffle ball Sunday afternoons in the FMC and frequently in the backyard. Two weeks ago our girls started Tee-ball with Middletown Little League. Practice is a great fun for the whole family assisting and watching 4 thru 6 year olds learn the game. Whether their enjoyment of the game ends with little league or one or both of my girls end up playing softball in college the fundaments remain the same. From little league to spring training in the major league fundamentals such as hitting, fielding, throwing, pitching and base running remain constant. No matter the level of play, the enjoyment and proficiency of each player depends on how well he or she masters the fundamentals. What is true for athletes is also true for us as Christ-followers. Whether today is your first day following Jesus or you’ve been a Christian for decades you never outgrow the fundamentals! In 2 Peter 1:12-14 Peter writes, “Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder.” (ESV)

This summer we’ll follow the example of the Apostle Peter and “stir up” one another by teaching and

reminding each other of the fundamentals of our walk with Christ. When I was a youth pastor I focused my energies on passing on seven principles every teenager needs to know. Not only did I teach these biblical principles to our students I took our adult student ministry team leaders through Andy Stanley and Stuart Hall’s book The Seven Checkpoints and bought a copy for each parent. Time and time again I heard from parents and adult ministry team leaders alike, “These principles are not just for teenagers, these are principles I need to apply in my life.”

This summer’s preaching series, The Fundamentals, will focus on these seven life principles:

Authentic Faith-- Authentic (biblical) faith is the confidence that God can be trusted and that He will do all that He has promised to do. Proverbs 3:5-6

Spiritual Disciplines-- When we renew our minds according to the truths of Scripture we experience life-change in both our attitudes and behavior. When you see as God sees, you’ll do as God says. Romans 12:2

Moral Boundaries-- Purity paves the way to intimacy. We must guard our bodies and emotions by honoring God’s plan for intimacy and morality. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

Healthy Friendships-- God created us for community. Our friends determine the quality and direction of our lives. Proverbs 13:20 Walk Wisely-- We must ask God for wisdom to live “carefully.” Ephesians 5:15-17

Ultimate Authority-- Maximum freedom is found under authority. Each of us must recognize God’s ultimate authority and respect the earthly authorities He has placed over us. Romans 13:1-2

Other’s First-- J.O.Y.-- Joy is the result of living Jesus first, then others before considering ourselves. Philippians 2:3-11