Click here to download a printable version of the Daily Bible Study for 9.3.10.

FRIDAY — Love Dare Wrap Up
Big Point: Honoring each other in marriage lays a solid foundation to allow for the growth and nurturing needed to raise children in a Godly manner.

     God surely wants to meet many needs through our spouse. But only He can meet all of our needs. Plus, we must remember that not every perceived need is an actual need in our lives. Sometimes what we expect from a spouse is exactly the opposite of what God knows we need in order to become more like Christ. As painful as it may be to accept, my wife, Marsha, is God’s primary instrument for making me a better person. - Excerpt from It Starts at Home, page 47

READ…What does the Bible say?
1 Corinthians 13:13 (New Living Translation)
“Three things will last forever – faith hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love.”

Proverbs 16:31 (New Living Translation)
“Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life.”

1 Corinthians 14:1 (New Living Translation)
“Let love be your highest goal!”

THINK and LIVE…What will you do now?
Over the past two weeks, we have been exploring what it means to love our spouses with the Agape love. This is the love with which Christ loved the church. The Love Dares challenged us to put our loved one’s needs and wants before our own. They empowered us to boldly confront the selfish ways the world tells us we should live. This Agape love is the driving force that will propel your relationships to new heights.

What was the most successful dare you completed? What made it a success?

The book, It Starts at Home, focuses on three main areas: the marriage relationship, the parenting relationship, and the grand-parenting relationship. The Love Dare enables us to go deeper in the marriage relationship. The act of parenting from a biblical perspective encourages us to mold our children in the image of Christ. But what about grandparents?

Grandparents have the wisdom of the past to draw from and the excitement of the future to look forward to. The guidance they provided for their children is passed down to their grandchildren. They can also provide much needed relief to exhausted parents (who live in close proximity). Grandparents can and should set the tone for the generations to follow them. How have your own grandparents influenced your life? If you are a grandparent, how can you influence your family?

LOVE DARE CHALLENGE:
LOOK BACK OVER THE DARES FROM PREVIOUS DAYS. WERE THERE SOME THAT SEEMED IMPOSSIBLE TO YOU? HAVE YOU REALIZED YOUR NEED FOR GOD TO CHANGE YOUR HEART AND TO GIVE YOU THE ABILITY TO LOVE? ASK HIM TO SHOW YOU WHERE YOU STAND WITH HIM, AND ASK FOR THE STRENGTH AND GRACE TO SETTLE YOUR ETERNAL DESTINATION.

____ Check here when you’ve completed today’s dare.

What do you believe God is saying to you? Is there a stirring in your heart? What decision have you made in response to this?

The Love Dare book is available at any CedarCreek Campus in The Source bookstore.

Just for Fun, Children’s Quotes about Love:
-”I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.”
-”Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Brad Pitt.”

Daily Bible Reading Commentary: 2 Corinthians 10
10:1–2 It seems Paul’s opponents were accusing him of only being courageous from a distance. They might have confused Christ-like meekness with weakness. Meek is not the same as weak.
10:3-4 “We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do…” Greek philosophers often used warfare imagery to describe their battle against false ideas. Paul uses the same imagery to demonstrate his battle for spiritual conquest. “False arguments” are the philosophical teachings that sway people away from the true teachings of Christ.
10:6 “…we will punish everyone who remains disobedient” Paul may mean that believers must work harder to make up for time lost through disobedience.
10:9-10 “I’m not trying to frighten you…” A basic rule of writing was that one’s letter should match his or her personality when present. Paul was trying to help the Corinthians understand that he cared for them even though his words were powerfully written against his opponents.
10:11 Philosophers and Jewish teachers often contrasted words and deeds; deeds weighed more heavily. Even if Paul was a bad speaker, he believed his lifestyle would back him up.
10:12 Paul uses satire (more like sarcasm!) to compare himself to the other philosophers — satire was very common (very interesting!)

Introducing… HomePointe Family Ministry!
This weekend, August 28th and 29th, Steve Stroope, author of the book It Starts at Home, Senior Pastor of LakePointe Community Church and co-designer of the original HomePointe Family Ministry, was the guest speaker at CedarCreek Church.

HomePointe is…
At CedarCreek we believe that home is one of the primary contexts of our spiritual formation—for better or worse. HomePointe is a CedarCreek ministry that will help you become highly intentional about fulfilling your God-ordained role at home.

HomePointe Family Ministry Format…
The following are the four kick-off components that will begin to help you create a catalyst for building a family that intentionally lives out Godly principles. The components are as follows:

1.  The HomePointe Family Activity can be found in the weekly Living It Out. This Family activity allows for families and/or Life Groups to have meaningful conversations about God and what they experienced on the weekend at CedarCreek.

2. Free HomePointe Brochures can be found at the HomePointe Center. These topically – formatted brochures are for people of all ages and dynamics. The following are sample titles of the brochures available:
· Hope to Marry
· Single
· Engaged
· Considering Children
· Preparing for Baby
· Intentional Parenting
· Introducing Your Child to Christ
· Preparing Your Child for Adolescence
· Navigating Rebellion
· Launching Young Adults
· A Difficult Marriage
· The Empty Nest
· Influencing Grandchildren
· Blending Families

3. HomePointe Classes will be offered during each of our three semester blocks (Fall, Winter/Spring and Summer). These courses will be taught by professional Christian psychologists, counselors and CedarCreek instructors. Here are some of the courses offered this Fall:
Taught by Dr. Dan Schaffer
· Turning Conflict Into Connection
· Forgive and Forget?
· Overcoming Staggering Struggles
Taught by Tim Butler
· Parenting Through the Ages (Babies through 18 years)
Taught by Raquel Wilson
· Parenting Your Child Through Tough Times
· Parenting Your Child Through Grief and Loss

4.The HomePointe Marriage and Parenting Seminars will be offered once a semester. This Fall we will host the marriage seminar at all campuses on October 16th. It will kick off a six-week (Life Group format) marriage study at each campus with childcare provided. The following will be the topics of the various six week studies:
· Love and Respect
· The Love Dare
· Sacred Marriage
· Built to Last

Visit the all new HomePointe ministry wall and bookstore display at every campus. There you will find free brochures and resources with topics related to families.

Are you ready to live intentionally as a family? Do you want to begin living out Godly principles in your home? The following steps would be a great start:
· Attend this weekend’s kick-off message, or watch the message online.
· Pick up your own copy of the book It Starts at Home and read it!
· Make a point to visit your campus HomePointe Center with your family.
· Sign up for a Fall class that will help your family grow.
· Set aside time weekly to go through the HomePointe Family Activity.
· Pray for your marriage, children and the people who influence them.

HomePointe Family Activity
Big Point for Parents: Setting aside time for your family to grow in relationship often does not happen accidently.
Big Point for Children: God gave children, parents and grandparents so that they would have the opportunity to be taught how to live. How does God want us to live, you might ask? He wants us to live a life that honors Him!
Family Corner: There once was a time when families ate around the table at most meals. With our hurried schedules, parents working and volunteering more, and kid’s sports, eating breakfast or dinner at the table seems to have gone out like the dinosaur. What if you were given hard facts that the following would most likely occur in your family just by eating at the table together at breakfast and/or dinner?
· Improved relationships with each other
· Improved grades in school
· Better adjusted children
· Better nutrition
· Overall a healthier life physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. Hebrews 10:24

Would you make it happen? There is a lot of hard data that supports this information, as well as scripture that support relating to each other in this way (Hebrews 10:24).Eating together as a family is just one way you can move toward building an intentional family that instills Godly principles in everyone’s lives.
Activity: Try it — Ideal mealtimes include breakfast and/or dinner — strive for at least six meals together this week, shoot for 15 minutes at the table together.
Pray: Lord, as we plan to be intentional about teaching and practicing Godly principles in our hope, bless us. We want to honor You in everything!
Resources: Just Live It — www.FITatudes.org; “The Surprising Power of Family Meals” by Miriam Weinstein
(Family activity written by Diana Patton)

Living It Out: August Scripture Memory Verse
May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. – Ephesians 3:19 (NLT)

Living It Out
It is the dream of CedarCreek that everyone who calls this their church home will be reading and studying the same topics, both individually and in groups. Each week, join with thousands of others at CedarCreek Church in applying God’s Word, the Bible, into your daily life. Our hope is that while we learn and grow together, as individuals and as a church, we will collectively live out the weekend message.

Living It Out resources, such as the Daily Bible Study, Daily Bible Reading Plan, Discussion Questions and Scripture Memory Verses, are designed to help us embrace a missional mindset…a mindset that compels us to love Jesus, serve others and tell the world about Christ.
Living It Out: Daily Bible Study…Daily Bible study activities to reflect on the weekend message
Living It Out: Daily Bible Reading Plan…Read through the New Testament in a year
Living It Out: Discussion Questions…Weekly questions to discuss with others
Living It Out: Scripture Memory…Memorize one Bible verse per month

All of these resources are also available electronically at www.livingitout.tv, where you can subscribe to have any or all of them emailed to you as they are updated.

We Want Your Feedback!
Tell us about any questions or comments you have about this week’s Living It Out: Daily Bible Study. Forward them to chanteleh@cedarcreek.tv.

RESOURCES:
The Bible
It Starts at Home by Kurt Bruner and Steve Stroope

This week’s Living It Out written by:
Kaye Kinney
Rick Kinney
Tammy Kaiser
Emily Lee
Greg Ritz
Nicki Zunnoor

Old Testament Reading: Psalms 65 – 69

New Testament Reading:

2 Corinthians 10 (NLT)

1 Now I, Paul, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ—though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only when I write from far away. 2 Well, I am begging you now so that when I come I won’t have to be bold with those who think we act from human motives.

3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. 6 And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.

7 Look at the obvious facts. Those who say they belong to Christ must recognize that we belong to Christ as much as they do. 8 I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But our authority builds you up; it doesn’t tear you down. So I will not be ashamed of using my authority.

9 I’m not trying to frighten you by my letters. 10 For some say, “Paul’s letters are demanding and forceful, but in person he is weak, and his speeches are worthless!” 11 Those people should realize that our actions when we arrive in person will be as forceful as what we say in our letters from far away.

12 Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!

13 We will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us, which includes our working with you. 14 We are not reaching beyond these boundaries when we claim authority over you, as if we had never visited you. For we were the first to travel all the way to Corinth with the Good News of Christ.

15 Nor do we boast and claim credit for the work someone else has done. Instead, we hope that your faith will grow so that the boundaries of our work among you will be extended. 16 Then we will be able to go and preach the Good News in other places far beyond you, where no one else is working. Then there will be no question of our boasting about work done in someone else’s territory. 17 As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”

18 When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.

Click here to download a printable version of the Daily Bible Study for 9.2.10.

THURSDAY — Go with Their Grain
Big Point: Determine whether your child is in the Imprint, Impression, or Coaching period. Use teaching methods suited to his or her stage of development.

When it comes to spiritual training during the coaching period, we can’t “wing it.” Pat answers won’t cut it. We must be willing to wrestle with the tough issues right alongside our teenage children– making every effort to be informed ourselves– searching out and finding resources that can address difficult questions in an honest, authentic, and credible manner. Again, a good coach may not have all the answers, but he or she knows which way to point. – Excerpt from It Starts at Home, page 125

READ…What does the Bible say?
Ephesians 6:4 (New Living Translation)
4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

THINK…Find the answers
What is the purpose of discipline and instruction when raising a child?

LIVE…What will you do now?
Imprint Period (ages 0—7) – Children are all ears at this age, wanting to know what mom and dad think, and are looking for acceptance. Playing games, singing, and telling stories are powerful tools for instilling Christian beliefs and values.

Impression Period (ages 8—15) - This age group is still highly impressionable and open to discussion and influence. As at their earlier age they want to know “the why” with the added desire to know “the what.” Maintain an open door of communicating your own beliefs with positive debates and discussions that promote independent thinking.

Coaching Period (ages 16 and up) - The parents’ opportunity to equip is over and the door for their own opinions and values is opened. We can challenge our kids’ thinking and point them in the right direction but we must remember to let them make their own mistakes. We can motivate, encourage, challenge and advise.

How does reaching your child at the appropriate stage improve their odds for living their life for Christ?

LOVE DARE CHALLENGE:
SPEND TIME IN PERSONAL PRAYER, THEN WRITE A LETTER OF COMMITMENT AND RESOLVE TO YOUR SPOUSE. INCLUDE WHY YOU ARE COMMITTING TO THIS MARRIAGE UNTIL DEATH, AND THAT YOU HAVE PURPOSED TO LOVE THEM NO MATTER WHAT. LEAVE IT IN A PLACE THAT YOUR MATE WILL FIND IT.

____ Check here when you’ve completed today’s dare.

What were some of the hesitations you had in writing this letter? How do you expect your spouse to respond to it? How did God help you in writing it, and what did the process teach you about yourself?

The Love Dare book is available at any CedarCreek Campus in The Source bookstore.

PRAY…God, What do You want me to know and do?
Lord, grant me the wisdom to reach my children where they are. Help me to be a light to those around me and to always reflect Your love.

Daily Bible Reading Commentary: 2 Corinthians 9
9:3-5 “I don’t want to be wrong in my boasting about you…” The region surrounding Corinth was known for its prosperity. While there were some poor individuals in the congregation, Paul makes it clear that collectively they are capable of making a generous donation.
9:6 “Remember this…the one who plants only a few seeds…” Reaping what one has sown is an ancient proverb. While Corinth was not agriculturally-based, they would have still connected to the wisdom of this proverb.
9:7 “You must each decide in your heart how much to give…” Paul taps into Jewish wisdom, which supports his vast understanding of Old Testament theology.  The heart is the beginning of the entire giving process because what is in our heart ultimately determines our actions.
9:9 Paul is referencing Psalm 112:9 in the context that a person’s reward for sowing seed (giving generously) to the poor is remembered by God as righteousness. This verse also connects with Matthew 6:19-20 doing things that will last for all eternity rather than just chasing down what only lasts on earth.

Old Testament Reading: Psalms 57 – 64

New Testament Reading:

2 Corinthians 9 (NLT)

1 I really don’t need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers in Jerusalem. 2 For I know how eager you are to help, and I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you in Greece were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving.

3 But I am sending these brothers to be sure you really are ready, as I have been telling them, and that your money is all collected. I don’t want to be wrong in my boasting about you. 4 We would be embarrassed—not to mention your own embarrassment—if some Macedonian believers came with me and found that you weren’t ready after all I had told them! 5 So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly.

6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9 As the Scriptures say,

“They share freely and give generously to the poor.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”

10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.

11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 12 So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.

13 As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. 14 And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. 15 Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!

Click here to download a printable version of the Daily Bible Study for 9.1.10.

WEDNESDAY — Defining Normal
Big Point: By defining “Normal” for your family you will lay the foundation that will be with your children for the rest of their lives.

The Lenses Principle: Our children need the corrective lenses of truth in order to navigate the deceptive roads of life.
We live in a culture that has in a large part rejected this principle, with tragic consequences. One of the reasons that beliefs and behaviors once considered depraved are now considered normal is that parents have been reluctant to teach children a standard of absolute moral truth. – Excerpt from It Starts at Home, page 105

READ…What does the Bible say?
Deuteronomy 6:7 (New Living Translation)
7 Repeat them (scriptures) again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 

1 Corinthians 11:1 (New Living Translation)
1 And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

THINK…Find the answers
In Deuteronomy 6:7, how are we directed to create “normal” in our children’s lives?

How does Paul tell us to live our lives in 1 Corinthians? What does “imitate” mean?

LIVE…What will you do now?
As adults, we can see how our childhood norms have shaped what we are today. In the same way, we have the opportunity to establish in our homes the environment that will shape our kids’ futures. It is great to tell our kids what to do. But if we don’t walk the talk, we can be seen as the worst kind of Christian, a hypocrite.

No one is perfect, think about areas of your life are you not the example you want to be for your family? What is the danger of leaving those areas unchanged?

What changes can you make in your home that will create a lasting faith in your children? How will you know if those changes were the right ones?

LOVE DARE CHALLENGE:
FIND A SPECIFIC, RECENT EXAMPLE WHEN YOUR SPOUSE DEMONSTRATED CHRISTIAN CHARACTER IN A NOTICEABLE WAY. VERBALLY COMMEND THEM FOR THIS AT SOME POINT TODAY.

____ Check here when you’ve completed today’s dare.

What example did you choose to recognize? How many other ways could you celebrate their growth in Godliness? How could you encourage them to persevere in it?

The Love Dare book is available at any CedarCreek Campus in The Source bookstore.

PRAY…God, What do you want me to know & do?
Lord, give me the power and wisdom to live my life as an imitator of You so that I can be the example to my family of Your love. Allow me to create a home environment where You are loved, honored, and cherished by all. Amen.

“My wife and I are mentors for engaged couples at CedarCreek. One thing we do is have the bride and groom individually complete a questionnaire about their family upbringing. We sit down as a group and compare the results. Both people see their upbringing as normal and anything else as different. The point is, they need to establish what they want ‘normal’ to be for their new family as it has a powerful shaping affect for the future.” (Greg, LIO Writer)

Daily Bible Reading Commentary: 2 Corinthians 8
8:1 While Paul avoided asking for money to fund his own ministry, he was concerned about the viability of the Corinthian church as well as the needs of the poor.
8:3 Since the Macedonians were already poor, it seems they were more in touch with needs of less fortunate believers in Judea; therefore, they were willing to live on little less so that those in need would have a little more.
     As we think about local, regional and international missions projects we support at CedarCreek, we have the opportunity to give to others who are in need. While the economy has been difficult, we are still more substantially blessed than 90% of the rest of the world.
8:4 Once Paul’s stern message was delivered and well-received, Titus was able to collect the delayed offering for the believers in need.
8:7 Paul uses the word “perisseuo” to describe both the Corinthians’ spiritual gifts (charismata) as well as the Macedonians’ generosity. He wants the Corinthians to excel in both spectacular as well as in less dramatic gifts.
     Have you asked yourself what it would mean for you to be generous? When you think about how passionate the Macedonian believers were about helping others, does that inspire you as well? Paul’s challenge for the Corinthians is the same challenge we face today: How can you be generous toward others to build the kingdom of God?
8:13  The concept of “equality” was very important in Greek democracy and the subject of many speeches by many well-known philosophers. Paul understood that economic disparity would likely create disunity in the church and so he was trying to prevent it.

Old Testament Reading: Psalms 50:7 – 56

New Testament Reading:

2 Corinthians 8 (NLT)

1 Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. 2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.

3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 4 They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. 5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.

6 So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving. 7 Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—Iwant you to excelin this gracious act of giving.

8 I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches.

9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.

10 Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it. 11 Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have. 12 Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have. 13 Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. 14 Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal. 15 As the Scriptures say,

“Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over,
and those who gathered only a little had enough.”

Titus and His Companions

16 But thank God! He has given Titus the same enthusiasm for you that I have. 17 Titus welcomed our request that he visit you again. In fact, he himself was very eager to go and see you. 18 We are also sending another brother with Titus. All the churches praise him as a preacher of the Good News. 19 He was appointed by the churches to accompany us as we take the offering to Jerusalem—a service that glorifies the Lord and shows our eagerness to help.

20 We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift. 21 We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable.

22 We are also sending with them another of our brothers who has proven himself many times and has shown on many occasions how eager he is. He is now even more enthusiastic because of his great confidence in you. 23 If anyone asks about Titus, say that he is my partner who works with me to help you. And the brothers with him have been sent by the churches, and they bring honor to Christ. 24 So show them your love, and prove to all the churches that our boasting about you is justified.

Click here to download a printable version of the Daily Bible Study for 8.31.10.

TUESDAY — Play the Odds
Big Point: Nurturing a healthy relationship with your child makes it far more likely he or she will want to embrace your beliefs and values.

     What is the “secret formula” for successfully passing on our values to the next generation? What is the common thread between these and other homes that seem to have beaten the odds in parenting? As we’ve watched over the years, we have noticed the same important ingredient. The specific tone and makeup of each family varies, but the “secret formula” is the same. Every one of these couples discovered and mastered the art of enjoying their children and allowing their children to enjoy themselves. Put simply, they learned to create an environment where they had fun together! – It Starts at Home, page 99

READ…What does the Bible say?
Proverbs 22:6 (New Living Translation)
6 Direct your children onto the right path and when they are older, they will not leave it.  

Deuteronomy 5:33 (New Living Translation)
33 Stay on the path that the LORD your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land you are about to enter and occupy.

THINK…Find the answers
Read Proverbs 22:6. Why do you think the training someone receives as a child is likely to stick with them into adulthood?

In Deuteronomy 5:33, what does it mean to “stay on the path that God has commanded?”

LIVE…What will you do now?
In the context of a healthy relationship, children tend to embrace the beliefs and values of their parents. Trying to instill values in the context of a distant relationship can do more harm than good (this can apply to any relationship – not just parent and child).

The values you teach will be more meaningful if your child can enjoy you as a person. That will come from spending quality time together and having fun! Think of some things you could cut from your schedule to carve out time for your family. What are some activities you can do together?

LOVE DARE CHALLENGE
ISOLATE ONE AREA OF DIVISON IN YOUR MARRIAGE AND LOOK ON TODAY AS A FRESH OPPORTUNITY TO PRAY ABOUT IT. ASK THE LORD TO REVEAL ANYTHING IN YOUR OWN HEART THAT IS THREATENING ONENESS WITH YOUR SPOUSE. PRAY THAT HE WOULD DO THE SAME FOR THEM. AND IF APPROPRIATE, DISCUSS THIS MATTER OPENLY, SEEKING GOD FOR UNITY.

____ Check here when you’ve completed today’s dare.

Did the Lord open your eyes to anything new that might be giving fuel to this point of disagreement? How do you intend to respond? What do you hope to see God do in your spouse as well?

The Love Dare book is available at any CedarCreek Campus in The Source bookstore.

PRAY…God, What do you want me to know & do?
God, help me to be the very best example I can be of Your ways so that my children and others can benefit. Help me to be diligent in investing time in the relationships in my life so that I can impart Your values effectively. Amen.

Just for Fun, Children’s Quotes about Love:
- Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.
- Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.

Daily Bible Reading Commentary: 2 Corinthians 7
7:2-3  Paul is trying to appeal to the Corinthians by speaking to them with great affection. The greatest expression of devotion in the Greek culture was the willingness to die for someone else.
7:5-9 Paul had sent Titus to the church with a harsh letter intending to produce shame among the believers for their bad behavior. Paul understood the Corinthian culture, so he knew that such a harsh letter could create many hurt feelings. However, Paul also knew that confronting sin was worth taking the risk of hurt feelings. That is an important lesson for us to remember…
7:13 “…we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was…” it was very important in Jewish and Christian cultures to treat travelers with utmost hospitality.
7:14 “…I told him how proud I was of you…”  Patting one’s self on the back was considered déclassé. Boasting about one’s friends was always acceptable.
7:15-16 …when he (Titus) remembers the way all of you obeyed him…” If the Corinthian Christians received Titus with respect – even after he gave them Paul’s letter – that means they saw Titus as Paul’s own representative.

Click here to download a printable version of the Daily Bible Study for 8.30.10.

Series: EPHESIANS
Essentials for Great FAMILIES

     John was always the smart kid in school. Introverted by nature, his home was always a safe place. Other kids wanted to ride bikes or go on adventures, but John was just fine being in the comfort of his own walls. Home was the place where all the dangers and bad things just melted away. That is, until the fights began. John’s dad was drinking more than he could ever remember and his mom spent a lot of time on the computer. After a while, John could feel the coolness in the room whenever his parents were around each other. When they finally sat John and his sister down, it was not a shock to hear that they were getting a divorce. John cried his eyes out, not knowing what was next.

“When I spend time wrestling with our boys in the basement, I have done more to make our values stick than when I read them a Bible passage.” –Steve Stroope

     After his dad moved out, John and his sister still went to church with their mom. It was the same church he had went to his whole life, but something had changed. Every time the pastor spoke about unconditional love and God’s promises, John could only shake his head. So many broken promises in his own life – where was God then? If God loved him so much, why would He let his parents separate? That just was not supposed to happen. As John sat through the sermons, week after week, he was consumed with an idea. One day he would not force his own son to listen to the lies.
     Does this story sound familiar? For many, it hits painfully close to home. Even though it is fiction, this scenario is being played out everyday in Christian homes all across America. A new generation of de-churched adults is growing up, rejecting everything they were taught about Jesus. A 2003 Barna study revealed that 17 percent of emerging adults became more religiously active than they were during high school, while 55 percent backed away from active faith.
     Pastors, like Steve Stroope, believe that the problem is not what’s happening in the church, but what is happening in the home. Consider the following quote from Pastor Stroope: “No matter how creatively we proclaim God’s Word to children at church, they are more likely to believe their experience of the faith at home. That’s because incarnation (literally ‘en-flesh-ment’) trumps proclamation.” He gives the analogy of holding four budding flowers, which represent his four kids. If these flowers aren’t planted, they will never grow. It doesn’t matter the style or size of the watering can (the church). Roots only grow if planted in soil (nurturing home life). Without this, the water will fall off the roots and splash to the ground. Growth only happens when church and home work together.

This week, our study will focus heavily on It Starts at Home by Kurt Bruner and Steve Stroope. It can be purchased at The Source Bookstore.

THIS WEEK’S STUDY WILL FOCUS ON LEADING SPIRITUAL FORMATION IN YOUR OWN HOME.

MONDAY — Leverage Legacy
Big Point: What you do today will have long-term influence on your child’s tendencies, beliefs and actions, for good or for bad.

Some parents mistakenly think they can train their children spiritually without confronting their own spiritual condition. The message they give to their children is, “Do what I say, not what I do!” It doesn’t work. The first and most important step in the Legacy Principle is making sure our own hearts are right with God…Once we have established a right relationship with God, then we are ready to begin making the Legacy Principle work for rather than against our children. – Excerpt from It Starts at Home, page 84-85

READ…What does the Bible say?
Exodus 20:5-6 (New Living Translation)
5 I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected — even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. 6 But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.

Further reading of multi-generational patterns…
Genesis 12:10-13, 17-20 — Abraham lied about his wife.
Genesis 20:1-7 — Isaac, Abraham’s son, lied about his wife.
Genesis 26:6-10 — Jacob, Isaac’s son, lied to his father about his birthright.
Genesis 50:15-21 — Joseph, Jacob’s son, refused to follow the family cycle.
2 Kings 12 — Joash broke a string of rulers who made the wrong choices

THINK…Find the answers
Just as bad usually breeds more bad, good usually leads to more good. It may not seem fair but this is a reality we cannot deny.

The Bad News: Children with alcoholic parents have a greater propensity toward alcoholism. List other types of negative behaviors that people tend to duplicate from their families:

The good news: The impact of righteousness is also multi-generational. What positive characteristics have you picked up from your parents? What about yourself do you hope to pass on to your children and/or grandchildren?

LIVE…What will you do now?
We are all influenced by multi-generational patterns, but none of us need to continue to be victims of them. It is possible to break away from bad cycles and launch a new era for ourselves and future generations! What are you going to work toward changing in your life to hopefully have a positive affect on future generations?

LOVE DARE CHALLENGE…This is a continuation of last’s week’s marriage message. These challenges are for married couples to do each day.

PURPOSEFULLY NEGLECT AN ACTIVITY YOU WOULD NORMALLY DO SO YOU CAN SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH YOUR SPOUSE. DO SOMETHING HE OR SHE WOULD LOVE TO DO OR A PROJECT THEY’D REALLY LIKE TO WORK ON. JUST BE TOGETHER.

____ Check here when you’ve completed today’s dare.

What did you decide to give up? What did you do together? How did it go? What new thing did you learn (or relearn) about your spouse?

The Love Dare book is available at any CedarCreek Campus in The Source.

PRAY…God, What do you want me to know & do?
God, I know that I need to have a right relationship with You. I realize that I am sinful and need Your forgiveness. God, I want my kids to see that I trust You completely and that You are the most important thing in my life. Thank You for all you have done for me and my family. Amen.

Just for Fun: Children’s Quotes about Love:
- “Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.”
- “Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the tastes is OK.”

Daily Bible Reading Commentary: 2 Corinthians 6
6:1-2 Reference to Isaiah 49:8.
6:3 It was important to Paul to point out that he was not there to offend anyone in the crowd or cause them to turn their backs on the gospel message.
6:4-7 Philosophers often listed out their hardships. Paul is listing out the virtues of the believers because imposters were prevalent and Paul needed to stress his pure motives. Additionally, he wanted to show that he was well-versed in his audience’s cultural expectations with regards to public speaking.
6:8-9 “We are honest, but they call us impostors…” Paul uses a series of paradoxical statements as part of his technique to turn the comments of his accusers back against them. Using paradoxes was a standard rhetorical technique, again showing that Paul knew how to connect with his audience for the purpose of sharing the gospel message.
     This is a great reminder of why we structure our weekend messages to connect with people where they are in our culture instead of expecting them to understand big, fancy religious speech.
6:10 “We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others…” A leathermaker, Paul was better off than a simple peasant, but he remained poor because he could not establish any social status while moving around.
6:16-17 Jewish law forbade Jews from transacting business with Gentiles on pagan festival days or any other days associated with idolatry.

Click here to download a printable version of the Daily Bible Study for the week of 8.30.10.

Click here to download a printable version of the message notes and discussion questions for the weekend of 8.28.10.

The book of Ephesians
Essentials for Intentional Families
Steve Stroope, Author and Guest Speaker
August 28 & 29, 2010

And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. EPHESIANS 6:4 (NASB)

How to Lead Your Family

1. A Leader C_____________ Purpose and C_________ Vision.

4 “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! 5 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” DEUTERONOMY6:4-5 (NASB)

2. A Leader I_______________ an Effective Strategy.

7 “And you shall teach them diligently to your sons 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 up. 8 And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. 9 And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” DEUTERONOMY6:7-9 (NASB)

3. A Leader L_______________ the Vision.

“And these words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.” DEUTERONOMY 6:6 (NAS)

Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NASB)

All Scripture is from the New American Standard Bible.

Living It Out – Discussion Questions
(Discuss these questions in your LifeGroup and/or with your family and friends.)

ICEBREAKER: Who did you want to be like when you grew up? What did you admire about that person? In what ways did that person impact your life?

1. What did you think about God as a child? Since we know that approximately 45% of our church attendees were not previously going to church (before attending CedarCreek), at what age did you stop being interested in learning about God?

2. Who shaped your view of God during your childhood? How did their knowledge (or lack of knowledge) about God effect your life?

3. How did your parents handle spiritually-related discussions when you were growing up? Describe your spiritual development as a child and what you wish could have been done differently?

4. This weekends, guest speaker, Steve Stroope, discussed the importance of creating “intentional families.” What does being an “intentional family” mean to you? If you were to be part of an intentional family, how could that potentially change your life as well as the lives of future generations?

5. The process of becoming an intentional family cannot occur unless there is intentional leadership. Steve identified three things that intentional leaders do in their home:
a. A leader clarifies purpose and casts vision.
b. A leader implements an effective strategy.
c. A leader lives the vision.
When you look at the three characteristics of what leaders do in their homes, which ones are you doing well? Which ones do you need to improve?

News you can use!
This weekend, we kicked off our new HomePointe Family Ministries. The purpose of HomePointe is to assist you in building strong families by providing resources to reinforce Godly principles in your home. HomePointe resources are for everyone – whether you are single, married, single (again) – with or without children. There is a HomePointe Resource Center at each campus as well as a list of upcoming HomePointe classes and seminars designed to build strong families. Stop by HomePointe during the weekend services!

Living It Out – Scripture Memory
(Memorize this verse for the month of August.)
May you experience the love of Christ, though
it is too great to understand fully. Then you will
be made complete with all the fullness of life
and power that comes from God.
EPHESIANS 3:19 (New Living Translation)