Heart Connex Parents Page - July 13-16, 2011 - Compassion for the ...
Truth Flowing from One Generation to the Next—Through Strong Heart Connections
PA R ENTS PAGE July 13-16, 2011 Compassion for the Poor—Richard Ross, Ph.D. 1. Heart Surprise (Today a parent goes first): Ask: What are some areas where you are struggling today? What can I say or do that will encourage you in those areas? 2. Read Scripture: Invite a family member to pray. Ask family members to read Galatians 2:9-10. Discuss the Truth and Untruths in light of these passages. Truth • God expects us to care about and help the poor. Untruths • The job of helping the poor belongs to the government. • Poor people are all lazy. • Poor people always take advantage of those who try to help them. 3. Explore Scripture: Read Galatians 2:9-10. Explain that while the Jewish synagogues collected a tax to help the poor, early Christian churches did not. Point out that money collected by the Gentile Christians for the Christians in Jerusalem was a love offering, not a tax. Emphasize that Paul was eager to help the poor. 4. Think It Through: A teenager will lead this activity. 5. Nail It Down: Explain that today’s verses describe an agreement made by the leaders of the early church and that this agreement emphasized the responsibility Christians had for helping the poor. Say: One way for this family to help the poor is to choose a specific action. For example, we could give money to feed an orphan or serve food at a community agency. Encourage family members to pray about this and commit to choosing an action at your next devotional. 6. Pray: A teenager will lead this prayer. 7. Blessing: Say: Today, I thank God for providing for us, and I bless this family for caring about those less fortunate than us. Parent Tip: A heart connection is the pipeline that connects the hearts of the parent and child. Through that pipeline spiritual influence flows from one generation to the next. Parents who keep that connection warm and strong usually see evidence that their faith and values are being passed to their children.
Copyright © 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention
PA R ENTS PAGE July 13-16, 2011 Compassion for the Poor—Richard Ross, Ph.D. 1. Heart Surprise (Today a parent goes first): Ask: What are some areas where you are struggling today? What can I say or do that will encourage you in those areas? 2. Read Scripture: Invite a family member to pray. Ask family members to read Galatians 2:9-10. Discuss the Truth and Untruths in light of these passages. Truth • God expects us to care about and help the poor. Untruths • The job of helping the poor belongs to the government. • Poor people are all lazy. • Poor people always take advantage of those who try to help them. 3. Explore Scripture: Read Galatians 2:9-10. Explain that while the Jewish synagogues collected a tax to help the poor, early Christian churches did not. Point out that money collected by the Gentile Christians for the Christians in Jerusalem was a love offering, not a tax. Emphasize that Paul was eager to help the poor. 4. Think It Through: A teenager will lead this activity. 5. Nail It Down: Explain that today’s verses describe an agreement made by the leaders of the early church and that this agreement emphasized the responsibility Christians had for helping the poor. Say: One way for this family to help the poor is to choose a specific action. For example, we could give money to feed an orphan or serve food at a community agency. Encourage family members to pray about this and commit to choosing an action at your next devotional. 6. Pray: A teenager will lead this prayer. 7. Blessing: Say: Today, I thank God for providing for us, and I bless this family for caring about those less fortunate than us. Parent Tip: A heart connection is the pipeline that connects the hearts of the parent and child. Through that pipeline spiritual influence flows from one generation to the next. Parents who keep that connection warm and strong usually see evidence that their faith and values are being passed to their children.
Copyright © 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention
