Heart Connex Parents Page - Sept 4-6, 2011 - The Cross
Truth Flowing from One Generation to the Next—Through Strong Heart Connections
PA R ENTS PAGE September 4-6, 2011 The Cross and Salvation—Richard Ross, Ph.D. 1. Heart Surprise (Today a parent goes first): Say: Some people celebrate special occasions by getting drunk or high. I’m proud of you for choosing a different way of life. Observing your character makes me feel . . . 2. Read Scripture: Invite a family member to pray. Ask family members to read 1 Corinthians 1:18 and 1 Peter 2:24. Discuss the Truth and Untruths in light of these verses. Truth • Christ’s death on the cross provides the only way of salvation. Untruths • The whole story of Jesus dying on the cross proves he was only human and not divine. • Someone who relies on a cross and all its about has to be a fool. • Some ancient form of capital punishment can’t be relevant to my life today. 3. Explore Scripture: Read 1 Corinthians 1:18. Encourage family members to describe the two views of the cross revealed in this verse. Say: According to commentator John Gill, the truth of the cross . . . • Is a display of the highest wisdom and has made the world’s wisdom foolish • Is what angels approve of, and desire to look into • Is the only thing able to make a people wise unto salvation Say: At the same time, this doctrine is considered complete foolishness by the many in the world. Read aloud 1 Peter 2:24. Say: Because Christ carried your sins on the cross, you can die to your sins and live a life marked by righteousness. 4. Think It Through: Say: Several years ago, Madonna’s concerts included a segment where she had herself lowered to the stage, hanging on a cross. This disrespect for the cross is a form of foolishness. Another way I have seen the world treat the cross as foolishness is . . . Allow family members to discuss ways they have seen the cross treated as foolishness. Emphasize that even believers may fall into the trap of taking the cross for granted because we wear it on a chain or see it hanging in church each week. Challenge family members to do their best to remember the suffering and pain Jesus experienced for us whenever they see a cross. 5. Nail It Down: A teenager will lead this step. 6. Pray: A teenager will lead this prayer. 7. Blessing: Say: I bless this family for ignoring the opinions of the world and embracing the cross. Parent Tip: Family mission trips nationally and globally require money. God may be calling families to choose to live more frugally than usual to release funds for kingdom expansion. Some years an international mission trip as a family may take priority over other conveniences.
Copyright © 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention
PA R ENTS PAGE September 4-6, 2011 The Cross and Salvation—Richard Ross, Ph.D. 1. Heart Surprise (Today a parent goes first): Say: Some people celebrate special occasions by getting drunk or high. I’m proud of you for choosing a different way of life. Observing your character makes me feel . . . 2. Read Scripture: Invite a family member to pray. Ask family members to read 1 Corinthians 1:18 and 1 Peter 2:24. Discuss the Truth and Untruths in light of these verses. Truth • Christ’s death on the cross provides the only way of salvation. Untruths • The whole story of Jesus dying on the cross proves he was only human and not divine. • Someone who relies on a cross and all its about has to be a fool. • Some ancient form of capital punishment can’t be relevant to my life today. 3. Explore Scripture: Read 1 Corinthians 1:18. Encourage family members to describe the two views of the cross revealed in this verse. Say: According to commentator John Gill, the truth of the cross . . . • Is a display of the highest wisdom and has made the world’s wisdom foolish • Is what angels approve of, and desire to look into • Is the only thing able to make a people wise unto salvation Say: At the same time, this doctrine is considered complete foolishness by the many in the world. Read aloud 1 Peter 2:24. Say: Because Christ carried your sins on the cross, you can die to your sins and live a life marked by righteousness. 4. Think It Through: Say: Several years ago, Madonna’s concerts included a segment where she had herself lowered to the stage, hanging on a cross. This disrespect for the cross is a form of foolishness. Another way I have seen the world treat the cross as foolishness is . . . Allow family members to discuss ways they have seen the cross treated as foolishness. Emphasize that even believers may fall into the trap of taking the cross for granted because we wear it on a chain or see it hanging in church each week. Challenge family members to do their best to remember the suffering and pain Jesus experienced for us whenever they see a cross. 5. Nail It Down: A teenager will lead this step. 6. Pray: A teenager will lead this prayer. 7. Blessing: Say: I bless this family for ignoring the opinions of the world and embracing the cross. Parent Tip: Family mission trips nationally and globally require money. God may be calling families to choose to live more frugally than usual to release funds for kingdom expansion. Some years an international mission trip as a family may take priority over other conveniences.
Copyright © 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention
