Snow

Genesis 1

Isaiah 1:18

Psalms 51:1-10

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7

Exposure: Read the account of creation from Genesis. Create a snowman. Use real snow if you have it, or find a creative way to make a snowman. You can use cotton balls, wadded up paper, or just draw one.

Exploration: How is shaping a snowman much like what God does with us—at creation originally, but also in our daily walk with Him?

Expression: Tell God how thankful you are that He continually shapes us to look more and more like Jesus. Describe a time in your life when you knew for sure that God was shaping you to become like Jesus.

Experience: Read the passages about snow. Depending on your climate, you may not associate snow with Christmas. But these passages associate Jesus' forgiveness with snow. Discuss with friends and family or journal about your thoughts about being made white as snow.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

New Message Series Continues TODAY Sunday 8:30, 10, 11:30am & 6pm

Annual Congregational Meeting TONIGHT Sunday December 14th 5pm

I have some really exciting news to share at the Annual Meeting.

Immanuel

Matthew 1:22-23

John 1:14

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel Isaiah  7:14

Exposure: Read the passages about Immanuel. Make a sign that reminds you that God is with you and hang it up somewhere that you see often.

Exploration: Immanuel means "God with us." How is Jesus still "God with us" even now that He's not walking on the earth?

Expression: How is God "for" us different than God "with" us? What are some ways you sense God with you?

Experience: Discuss with friends or family or journal about a time in your life when you felt the closest to Jesus. Make plans to do something today to get closer to God. How important is it to seek to experience that closeness all the time?

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

New Message Series Continues Sunday 8:30, 10, 11:30am & 6pm

Annual Congregational Meeting This Sunday December 14th 5pm

I have some really exciting news to share at the Annual Meeting.

His Names

Revelation 19:1-16

1 Timothy 6:11-16

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace  Isaiah 9:6-7

Exposure: Read the passages about Jesus' first coming and His second coming. Listen to the "Hallelujah Chorus" or "For Unto Us a Child Is Born" from Handel's "Messiah"—both are easy to find online.

Exploration: Notice how prominent names of Jesus are in these verses. How important is your name to you?

Expression: What does each name of Jesus mean to you specifically? Discuss with friends or family or journal about how Jesus expresses Himself in these various ways in your life.

Experience: How have you experienced Jesus as a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace? How is He a King of Kings and Lord of Lords? Now read the charge to Timothy about how to live ready to meet our King.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

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TONIGHT-FRIDAY December 12th 7:05pm

New Message Series Continues Sunday 8:30, 10, 11:30am & 6pm

Annual Congregational Meeting This Sunday December 14th 5pm

I have some really exciting news to share at the Annual Meeting.

The Least of These

“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ Matthew 25:45

Exposure: Read Jesus' teachings about the final judgment Matthew 25:31-46. Think of someone you know of that probably falls into the category of "the least of these." You may have to think outside your normal circles. Invite them to a meal with you. Learn their story. Pray for them.

Exploration: How would you treat people differently if you really saw Jesus in their face? What are some changes you could make in your lifestyle that would fall into the sheep category?

Expression: Post a sticky note with the person's name on it somewhere you'll see it every day. Begin to pray for them regularly. Be open to how God may ask you to help them further.

Experience: What did you learn from your experience? How would your life be different if you were purposeful about spending time with those who are struggling?

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

98.5 The TRUTH Presents:

THIS FRIDAY December 12th 7:05pm

Friday Family Flicks for FREE!

Annual Congregational Meeting This Sunday December 14th 5pm

Decorations:

Read Exodus 25

Exposure: Read God's detailed instructions for the decoration of the Tabernacle. Go through your home and examine the Christmas decorations you have. If you haven't decorated, take this time to decorate to celebrate this important season.

Exploration: Why do you think God was so specific about how to decorate the temple? What significance or symbolism do you think these decorations must have had?

Expression: Discuss with friends or family or journal about the meaning and significance of your existing decorations.

Why a tree?, Why wreaths? Can you see the crucifixion symbolism?  How can your decorations speak to the focus you've placed on Christ?

Experience: Create a new ornament or decoration that can represent how you feel about your relationship with Jesus this year.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

98.5 The TRUTH Presents:

THIS FRIDAY December 12th 7:05pm

Friday Family Flicks for FREE!

Annual Congregational Meeting This Sunday December 14th 5pm

The Gift

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”1 John 4:10

“Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive”.Acts 20:35

Exposure: Read these verses about giving. Go Christmas shopping for someone that is not a part of your immediate family like a patient in a nursing home or hospital, your mail carrier, your garbage collector, or a foster child.

Exploration: What is the real point of giving a gift? How is Jesus the best gift you have ever received?

Expression: How generous are you with your time, treasures, and talents? Do you live as if it truly is more blessed to give than receive? How can you live this out more fully this Christmas season? Are you remembering your church with generous year end giving?

Experience: Discuss with friends or family or journal about a time when you blessed someone with extreme generosity or a time where you were blessed by someone else's extreme generosity. Spend time praying asking God to help you become more generous by better comprehending the gift of love He has given us.

Your past and partner in ministry,

Kyle

98.5 The TRUTH Presents:

Friday Family Flicks for FREE! Free Pop & Popcorn

THIS FRIDAY December 12th 7:05pm

Annual Congregational Meeting This Sunday December 14th 5pm

Lights

Each day with help and thanks to a You Version devotional, we are looking  at the significant characters and symbols  in the greatest story ever told, the coming of Christ and the first Christmas.

Matthew 4:12-17

Isaiah 9:1-3

Matthew 5:14-15

“the people living in darkness have seen a great light;  on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” Matthew 4:16

Exposure: Read these passages about Jesus being the light. Research the beginnings of the tradition of Christmas lights. Drive around town with a group of friends or family and look at the different expressions of lights.

Exploration: How is Jesus the light of world? Think about the scientific facts you know about light. In what ways is light the perfect illustration God created from the beginning to illuminate who Jesus is?

Expression: Why do you think Jesus refers to His followers as the light of the world? What would that mean for your life to be a light in your relationships and situations?

Experience: How has your life been a light to those around you? Make a point to be light during this season.

Your pastor and partner in ministry,

Kyle

98.5 The TRUTH Presents:

THIS FRIDAY December 12th 7:05pm

Friday Family Flicks for FREE!

Annual Congregational Meeting  This Sunday December 14th 5pm