Heart Connex Parents Page - March 27-29, 2011 - God's
Truth Flowing from One Generation to the Next—Through Strong Heart Connections
PA R ENTS PAGE March 27-29, 2011 God’s Promises to the Humble—Richard Ross, Ph.D. 1. Heart Surprise (Today a parent goes first): Say: Throughout your life, people will recognize your achievements, and I’ll be proud of those recognitions. But I am also thankful because you live by a set of core values. One value I appreciate is . . . 2. Read Scripture: Invite a family member to pray. Ask family members to read Luke 18:9-14. Discuss the Truth and Untruths in light of this passage. Truth • God promises to bless those who humbly serve Him. Untruths • I’m the only one who deserves credit for my achievements. • The Bible says that God helps those who help themselves. • If you’re humble, you’re going to get stepped on or left behind. 3. Explore Scripture: Reread Luke 18:9-14. Say: Jesus told this parable to help us understand His desire for His people to serve Him with a humble spirit. Explain that Pharisees typically prayed twice a week— Mondays and Thursdays. Note that this particular Pharisee’s prayer centered on himself and how he thought he stood in comparison with “sinners.” Say: The Bible suggests that the Pharisee looked to heaven and raised his arms in prayer, while the tax collector kept his distance from the place of prayer. The tax collector also beat his chest to symbolize sorrow for sin in his life and confessed his guilt. He asked God for mercy, not for blessings. Emphasize that Jesus affirmed the humility of the tax collector but not the pride of the Pharisee. 4. Think It Through: A teenager will lead this step. 5. Nail It Down: Ask: Would it make sense for a first-grade boy to pick a fight with a varsity football player? Point out that in almost every case, this would not be a fair fight. Encourage family members to think about what it would be like to “pick a fight” with God. Say: The odds would be even more lopsided because He would win every time. He is our Creator and Redeemer. He is the all-powerful, allknowing God. Every time we take credit for our own achievements, we proudly oppose Him. Every time we give Him the glory He deserves and humbly serve Him, He blesses us. 6. Pray: A teenager will lead this step. 7. Blessing: Say: May God bless you for serving Him humbly each day. Parent Tip: The call to career missions is reserved for a few. But in this era, God may want to call out more Christian students to join him full-time to accelerate the harvest. Short-term missions adventures can prepare a student for a lifetime of kingdom activity.
Copyright © 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention
PA R ENTS PAGE March 27-29, 2011 God’s Promises to the Humble—Richard Ross, Ph.D. 1. Heart Surprise (Today a parent goes first): Say: Throughout your life, people will recognize your achievements, and I’ll be proud of those recognitions. But I am also thankful because you live by a set of core values. One value I appreciate is . . . 2. Read Scripture: Invite a family member to pray. Ask family members to read Luke 18:9-14. Discuss the Truth and Untruths in light of this passage. Truth • God promises to bless those who humbly serve Him. Untruths • I’m the only one who deserves credit for my achievements. • The Bible says that God helps those who help themselves. • If you’re humble, you’re going to get stepped on or left behind. 3. Explore Scripture: Reread Luke 18:9-14. Say: Jesus told this parable to help us understand His desire for His people to serve Him with a humble spirit. Explain that Pharisees typically prayed twice a week— Mondays and Thursdays. Note that this particular Pharisee’s prayer centered on himself and how he thought he stood in comparison with “sinners.” Say: The Bible suggests that the Pharisee looked to heaven and raised his arms in prayer, while the tax collector kept his distance from the place of prayer. The tax collector also beat his chest to symbolize sorrow for sin in his life and confessed his guilt. He asked God for mercy, not for blessings. Emphasize that Jesus affirmed the humility of the tax collector but not the pride of the Pharisee. 4. Think It Through: A teenager will lead this step. 5. Nail It Down: Ask: Would it make sense for a first-grade boy to pick a fight with a varsity football player? Point out that in almost every case, this would not be a fair fight. Encourage family members to think about what it would be like to “pick a fight” with God. Say: The odds would be even more lopsided because He would win every time. He is our Creator and Redeemer. He is the all-powerful, allknowing God. Every time we take credit for our own achievements, we proudly oppose Him. Every time we give Him the glory He deserves and humbly serve Him, He blesses us. 6. Pray: A teenager will lead this step. 7. Blessing: Say: May God bless you for serving Him humbly each day. Parent Tip: The call to career missions is reserved for a few. But in this era, God may want to call out more Christian students to join him full-time to accelerate the harvest. Short-term missions adventures can prepare a student for a lifetime of kingdom activity.
Copyright © 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention
