Sunday Rewind | 8.25.2013
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
O Worship The King (Psalm 145:9-10) – Hymns Ancient & Modern by Chris Tomlin (Passion)
Open Up Our Eyes (Ephesians 1:18-19a) – Nothing is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Beautiful Lord (Ephesians 2:4-5) – The Sound of Melodies by Leeland
Mighty To Save (Zephaniah 3:17) – Yahweh by Hillsong Chapel
Son of God (Psalm 145:3-4) – Beauty in the Broken by Starfield
TEACHING: Ruth: A Story of God’s Redemptive Love, Part 7
As we conclude our series in the book of Ruth, Pastor Mike explains how the main theme of the story is redemption. Ruth and Naomi’s redemption through Boaz is a foreshadowing of the ultimate redemption by our kinsman-redeemer, Jesus Christ.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- How does Boaz’s redemption of Ruth and Naomi point to the redemption of God’s people through Christ? Can you think of other stories in the Old Testament that point to that redemption?
- Pastor Mike said the qualifications of a kinsman-redeemer are: 1) He is a relative. 2) He is able to redeem. 3) He is willing to redeem. 4) He is free from the problem of the one he is to redeem. Talk about the reasons that Christ is eligible to be our kinsman-redeemer.
- Read and discuss Galatians 3:10-29 and Romans 3:19-24. How do these passages explain the “problem” from which we need to be redeemed?
- Referring to the genealogy of Jesus, Pastor Mike said, “God redeems the mess. God even takes messes and uses them for His redemptive purposes.” Is this encouraging to you? Do you see any ways that God has used the “mess” in your own life, or those around you?
- What is one thing you’ve learned (or re-learned) from the study of Ruth that has encouraged you or challenged you in your Christian walk?
- Spend some time in prayer thanking God for providing us a kinsman-redeemer and Savior.
AWANA: Expanding the Kingdom
RBC’s AWANA club has been around for over 25 years. AWANA, which stands for Approved Workmen are Not Ashamed (not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ) provides children 4 years of age through the 6th grade with opportunities to memorize Scripture and create Christian friendships that end up spanning a lifetime – there’s a whole lot of fun in doing it!
If you are new to RBC and are not sure what the AWANA program is, or if you have never considered enrolling your children in the program – here are a few things to consider.
AWANA meets every Sunday night during the club year. This year, we will go start September 15th, 2013 and go through May 6th. We meet every Sunday evening from 4:30 to 6:30 pm here at the church. All programs – Cubbies, Sparks, and T&T – meet at the same time so if you have multiple kids, all can come and participate!
The AWANA program stresses Bible memorization for all ages. Now, how many verses can you say that you have memorized over the years? Some of our clubbers memorize up to 60 or more verses each year… Just think of how much of a lasting impact this can have on them as they grow up and navigate their teen years!
During our club time, we also have a special portion set aside for games. Even our 4-year old clubbers share in an involved games time and learn the meaning of teamwork and fellowship.
Finally, each club offers a council time message that is age-appropriate. They learn about the Bible, how to apply God’s Word to their lives, and most importantly, see how God is moving in their own lives! We bring in special speakers, watch skits, and hear from our volunteers about what God is doing in our midst.
I have been involved with the AWANA program for 16 years. Both of my children participated in the program, and are now volunteering alongside me and my husband. I did not come to know the Lord until I was 18, and I am always telling the clubbers how fortunate they are to be able to learn about God and how to walk with God at such a young age. What a blessing it is to work with these young children, walk alongside the parents, and instill a real love for God in their lives!
Please don’t just consider registering your children – but consider your involvement in this important Children’s Ministry as well. AWANA continues the work that Mike Meyers (Director of Children’s Ministry at RBC) and his team do on Sunday mornings.
Pastor Paul Goodnight has often referred to our program as “organized chaos.” Well, when you put 300 kids in one place, yes it is. But it is fun. It is rewarding. And most of all, the Kingdom of God is expanded. Please join us!
Links to register children, to volunteer and to donate scholarships can be found at www.restonbible.org/awana.
-Marci Kinter, AWANA Coordinator
Food Pantry: Tears of Joy
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide…”
– John 15:16
One of our regular food pantry guests, Anna, had been asking for prayer for her little girl Ruth who needed a life-saving kidney transplant. Several months ago, we learned that little Ruth was very sick and the chances were very slim that a kidney would become available in time to save her life. Anna asked for prayer from some of our Food Pantry volunteers. Anna’s prayers were answered, and in only two months, a matching kidney was found for little Ruth! Even the doctors were amazed that a kidney was found so quickly. Anna has been praising the Lord, along with all those at RBC who joined her in prayer. Her faith in the Lord has been strengthened through this trial. Now, whenever Anna visits the RBC Food Pantry with her daughter, her eyes are full of tears of joy in thankfulness to the Lord.
We recently received the following note from J.R., one of our key Spanish-speaking Food Pantry Volunteers:
I just want to start this e-mail with words that the Lord put in my heart in reference to all the people involved in the food ministry from Reston Bible Church and their compassion to the hungry and needed.
“You did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you…” John 15:16.
God’s Word is like refreshing rain that waters crops and seed; it brings new life to open hearts, and meets us in our needs. God has been using the food ministry at your church to bring, throughout prayers and actions, hope and new life to innumerable people coming to Reston Bible Church. We have been seen God in action. Three people accepted the Lord Jesus in their hearts. A man going blind was able to get for the first time in his life medical attention and the Church help him to get glasses that will allow him for the first time to see properly. We will be taking him at the end of the month to Washington D.C. to see if they can slow down the fact that he will go blind soon. People of the Church, PRAY for Mardoqueo. Pray that the Lord will heal his eyes and that this man will come to the Lord.
And remember that many times the Lord allow in our life difficult times, but it is always with a purpose, and that is to bring us to be part of His family. People looking at your generosity are more willing to the opening of their hearts to God’s Word. And this week a young mother came to thank us for the prayers in reference to her 5 years old daughter. When she came to us, she asked for prayers for her little girl. She was in desperate need of a kidney transplant. Well she just want this Church to know that prayers were answer by Jesus and that her little 5 years old daughter got a successfully kidney transplant and is doing very well. All Glory to God.
Please be in prayer for all that God is doing through our Food Pantry. If you would like more information on the RBC Food Pantry or would like to get involved, please visit www.restonbible.org/foodpantry.
From the Field: Bossangoa, Africa
“If we are to understand the Word of God, God needs to translate Himself into our own language, so that His Words can speak deeply to each person,” E. reflects. “It’s the translation of the Word of God into my language that is at the base of my own faith.”
He is from Bossangoa, the capital of Ouham, one of the 14 prefectures of the Central African Republic. E. was once an atheist, an eager student of humanistic philosophy, and firmly set against Christian faith.
“When my wife would return home from prayer meeting, I would mock her, asking her a series of philosophical questions,” he remembers. “I aimed to persuade her that God didn’t exist and that her faith was useless.”
His remarks would often make her cry, but she was never dissuaded from praying for him.
After completing his studies and training as a teacher, E.’s further academic plans were blocked by a lack of finances. In answer to his wife’s prayers, this roadblock became a turning point in his life. He decided to look for opportunities to use his skills to benefit the local community. He even approached the pastor of a local church and offered to start literacy classes for church members.
The pastor encouraged him to instead enroll in a translation training course being offered to members of the community so they could begin to translate the Bible into Gbeya, E.s’ own mother tongue, which is spoken by more than two hundred thousand people in the Bossangoa region..
“I had no idea at the time this was God’s plan for me,” E. said. “As I became immersed in the Word of God, I began to understand the incredible love and grace which He freely gives each one of us. I couldn’t imagine why God would want a relationship with me. My deep intimacy with God is one of the most amazing things I take from this ministry.”
Soon, E. went from being one of the translators on the Gbeya translation team to being the coordinator for translation and literacy projects in the entire Bossangoa region. “Ever since I accepted Jesus as my Savior,” he said, “my entire life has been such an adventure in faith.”
It has now been over a decade since he first got involved in Bible translation. “God chose E. to work for Him, studying the Bible,” said his older brother. “My prayer is that his work will be a sweet smelling sacrifice to God.”
When an atheist meets the God of the Bible, anything can happen! Pray for E. and his work in Bossangoa. Pray for the many people around the world who are translating the precious words of Scripture into the native tongues of nations and tribes.
Sunday Rewind | 8.18.2013
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Be Lifted High (John 3:30) – Nothing is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Rock of Ages (Deuteronomy 32:3-4) – Death of Death by Charlie Hall
In Your Presence (Deuteronomy 31:6) – Nothing is Wasted by Elevation Worship
Glorious (Psalm 111:2-3) – Glorious by Paul Baloche
Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies) (Psalm 27:1) – Let the Future Begin by Chris Tomlin (Passion)
TEACHING: Ruth: A Story of God’s Redemptive Love, Part 6
As we continue our series in the book of Ruth, Pastor Mike delves into the concept of the kinsman-redeemer. When the redemptive power of the gospel is lived out in our lives, it will draw others to us.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- If you were give a one-sentence synopsis of this message, what would it be?
- Read and discuss Ruth 4:1-12. What is the significance of this exchange between Boaz, the town elders, and the other kinsman-redeemer? What are the implications for Ruth?
- What is the significance of a kinsman-redeemer? How is Jesus a kinsman-redeemer?
- Pastor Mike shared this quote: “When we act, think, talk, and love like Jesus, we’ll have more walk-in business than we can handle.” What does that mean? What are the implications for us?
- Can you think of someone to whom you have felt drawn because of Jesus in their life?
- Do you feel you are living in such a way that people are drawn to you? Why or why not?
- How is the gospel attractive? In what ways is it repulsive?
- The great commission (Matthew 28:19) can be translated as “as you are going, make disciples.” What does this mean? How can you put this to practice as you go about your life? Spend some time in prayer with your group for this.
VIDEO: God of Angel Armies
As we closed out our series on spiritual warfare back in February (The Forgotten War), our worship team gave a special performance of Chris Tomlin’s Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies). Thanks to your many kind requests, on Sunday we’ll reprise this powerful song. The video above is a taste of what you’ll see live during worship services this weekend. We hope you’ll enjoy and engage with us in worshiping the God who goes before us, stands behind us and is always by our side.
Sunday Rewind | 8.11.2013
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Our God Is Love (1 John 4:9-10) – A Beautiful Exchange by Hillsong
Glorious (Psalm 111:2-3) – Everything Glorious by Chris Tomlin (Passion)
You Never Let Go (Psalm 23:4) – Beautiful News by Matt Redman
Beautiful Scandalous Night (Romans 5:7-8) – Give Yourself Away by Robbie Seay Band
Nothing But The Blood (1 John 1:7) – Original Arrangement
TEACHING: Ruth: A Story of God’s Redemptive Love, Part 5
The third chapter in the book of Ruth brings up the question: can the will of God be managed or manipulated? From a human perspective, it is terribly risky to follow the will of God and to live a life of godly character for His glory.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What is one thing from this sermon you hope to talk about as a group?
- Do you tend to be a person who runs from risk or seeks out risk?
- Read and discuss Ruth 3. What insight does this give about the character of Naomi, Ruth and Boaz? Where do you see themes of wisdom, obedience & generosity? What other themes do you see in this chapter?
- How do we know what the will of God is? Why is it “risky” to follow the will of God?
- In what ways is it risky to live a life of godly character?
- What does it mean to “manage” the will of God? How is that different from “manipulating” the will of God?
- How does the gospel deal with our propensity to manipulate the will of God?
- Is there an area of your life where God is currently asking you to take a risk? How are you tempted to “manipulate” the will of God in this situation? What would it look like to “manage” this for the glory of God? Spend some time in prayer with your group for this.
Men’s Ministry News – August 2013
Men of RBC: The Men’s Ministry would like to invite you to some upcoming activities that have been designed to positively and encouragingly impact your walk with the Lord and in turn your spheres of influence.
- Speaker: Dr. Richard Blackaby
- Where: Meadowkirk Retreat Center, Middleburg, VA
- When: Sept 20-22
- Topic: Living on God’s Agenda
What man following Christ does not desire to hear from God and live it out? This year’s unprecedented combination of speaker, topic and location have resulted in record-shattering early registrations. Total space is limited to 150 and there are just 57 overnight accommodations remaining. Enjoy the fellowship of like-minded men, don’t get left out – click for more information or register here now!
WEEKLY DISCIPLESHIP CLASSES
Men’s Ministry weekly discipleship classes are a great way to get connected and increase your knowledge of the word and provide you with some mid-week encouragement. No previous experience or Bible knowledge is required; all you need is a willingness to grow and be challenged. For a course listing and full details, please visit www.restonbible.org/men.
- FUEL—Men of Action: The Role of Authentic Men in the Next Generation Church. Join us on this journey to Authentic Manhood. Tuesdays 6:25-7:30 AM – Sr. High Bldg.
- Training Faithful Men-Great Doctrines of the Faith. No registration required. For questions, call or email Ray Shoaff (703-625-5595) or ray@shoaff.com). Wednesday 6:00-7:00 AM – Sr. High Bldg.
The following upcoming activities are scheduled in September and beyond, so mark your calendars.
THE SUMMIT
When: October21, 2013, Monday 7:30-8:30 PM
Speaker: Congressman Daniel Webster of Florida
Topic: “How to Live with Integrity while Under Attack”
Where: RBC Sanctuary
Dinner: 6:30PM, RBC Clubhouse by Famous Dave’s BBQ
Registration: www.restonbible.org/summit
Most people know of Jesus, but many do not have a personal relationship with Him, and it is hard for them to even get their head around what that means. Generally, men are expected to be self-reliant and independent, and don’t seek out or admit a need for help when faced with challenges.
These are just a few reasons why it can be so powerful for men to hear the personal testimony of another man, especially a successful leader who is willing to be transparent and share how his relationship with Jesus Christ has impacted his life.
Webster served as the Speaker of the Florida House and Majority Leader in the Senate prior to being elected to the U.S. Congress in 2010. He is known for many things, but Daniel Webster still holds his faith, his family, and his principles as his biggest assets. Webster is married to the former Sandra Jordan of Orlando, and they have six children: David, Brent, Jordan, Elizabeth, John, and Victoria, and seven grandchildren. Webster is active in his church, First Baptist Church of Central Florida.
Come out and join us on Monday, October 21st, to hear about the difference a personal relationship with Jesus has made in the life of a prominent leader in our country and please bring a friend or co-worker.
SERVICE OPPORTUNITY
Men’s Ministry is looking for a few good men to help with our event logistics and to take photos of our events. No special skills needed—just a servant heart. Events are The Summit, Men’s Retreat, Boosters, and special men’s events. We plan to have teams that can alternate events. If interested, please contact Brad Hummel at mensministry@restonbible.org.
As always the Men’s Ministry is here to be an encouragement in your walk with the Lord. Contact us at mensministry@restonbible.org if you have any questions or concerns.
God Bless,
The Men’s Ministry Leadership Team
VIDEO: Deacon Candidates Announced
On August 4, during weekend services, we announced nine deacon candidates for our Deacon Ministry. A deacon is one who serves others in the love of Christ. We believe a deacon is a unique type of servant who meets specific biblical qualifications, is examined, and then appointed to an official public position with prescribed duties given by the church elders.
The responsibilities of deacons at RBC will be primarily in two areas: To coordinate financial resources and assistance to meet the material needs of the congregation at Reston Bible Church. They will particularly extend love and care for widows and widowers within our body. The deacon candidates below have been nominated by people in our church body and interviewed by our elders:
- Dana DeKanter
- Jeff Henshaw
- Brad Hill
- Eric Korsvall
- Bill Mitchell
- Rob Persinger
- Keith Roberts
- John Smith
- Ben York
If you have any comments or input on these candidates, we would love to hear from you. Please email the elders at elders@restonbible.org with your feedback. To learn more about the Deacon Ministry at RBC, please click here.
Sunday Rewind | 8.4.13
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Exalted One (Psalm 121:1-2) – For The Honor by Elevation Worship
Your Love Never Fails (Romans 8:28) – Your Love Never Fails by Jesus Culture
God Is Able (Ephesians 3:20-21) – God Is Able by Hillsong
Always (Psalm 121:1-2) – Here For You by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)
How Deep The Father’s Love For Us (Galatians 6:14) – Original Arrangement
In Christ Alone (Galatians 2:20) – Let The Future Begin by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)
TEACHING: But Now, Jesus
In Romans 3, the apostle Paul gives a scathing indictment against the sin in all of mankind’s character, communication and conduct. However, two beautiful words in the chapter lead to hope and life to all who stand condemned under the wrath of God – “but now…” Pastor Ed Nalle teaches on the contrast between human sinfulness and God’s grace in salvation.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO/VIDEO
Here is a bulletin insert that was included with this sermon with a 7-day reading plan to cover the book of Romans. Click here to download.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- As you reflect on this sermon, what one insight or principle stands out as being particularly helpful, insightful or difficult to grasp?
- Read and discuss Romans 3:9-20. What does this tell you about the nature of man in his character, communication & conduct? What is inferred about the nature of God?
- Romans 3:18 summarizes man’s condition as “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” What does it mean to fear God? Why is this important?
- What does it mean to seek God “on our own terms”? How do we tend to do that? What is the result?
- Read Romans 3:21-31. What does this tell you about the character & nature of God? Why are the words “but now” (v. 21) so important?
- Can we be justified before God by our good works? Why or why not?
- John Newton said, “‘Til sin be bitter, grace will not be sweet.” What does this mean? How does understanding the depth of our personal sin help us understand God’s grace in the gospel of Jesus? How does this lead to grateful worship?
- How does the gospel provide a balanced view of sin and grace? Spend some time in prayer with your group, thanking God for the amazing provision of the gospel.