This will show you what we’re doing for the next 3 weeks and will give you a question or two to talk about with your kids. We want to encourage you to interact with your students about God and the Bible and this is one more way we’re trying to do that.

Use this tool, pray for your students, and let’s see what the Lord does in the Kingdom through our students!

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT:
Here is an overview of what we’re talking about. Listed below the summary is a “parent cue” to help you dialog with your child about the session. The question is intended not just to be asked by you, but to be responded to by BOTH of you. Use this opportunity to find out what God is teaching your child, and allow your child to see what God is teaching you as well.

UPSIDE DOWN:
Series Overview
In the Upside Down series, we are going to look at something Jesus talked a lot about—the kingdom of God. Many of the people who heard His message firsthand thought that He was talking about a kingdom where Jesus would be in political power, and that their lives would be easier than their present circumstances under Roman rule. But Jesus was talking about something bigger than that—a kingdom where His desire for broken things to be restored is met. Jesus was talking about ushering in an upside down kingdom

Session One: Collision (9/8/10)
When we’re talking about our lives, most of us wouldn’t think in terms of “kingdoms.” But the reality is that each one of us has one. We have some area of our lives where we rule and reign. A kingdom may be as vast as a school, team or group. Or it may be as small as your bedroom or your cell phone. There’s a place in your life where you are in complete control and really don’t care what anyone else thinks or wants. The problem is, when we live with only our kingdom in mind we often end up doing a lot more damage than good. But in Christ’s kingdom, His desire is for restoration and as difficult as it can sometimes be to allow His kingdom to reign, there is only room for one kingdom and one king.
Session One Parent Cue: What are some of the characteristics of my kingdom? How do I try to control it?

Session Two: Inverted Reality (9/15/10)
Last will be first. Give to receive. Lose to gain. People who mourn are blessed. All statements Jesus made, yet they seem so opposite from how our world functions and even how we are wired, don’t they? But the kingdom of God is upside down compared to the kingdoms we seek to establish. The life Christ calls us to counters every natural and selfish inclination we have, but His way, His kingdom, is far better than anything we could have in mind. And when we surrender to God’s kingdom, we begin to live this upside down life that somehow brings more fulfillment, more peace, more satisfaction than the reality we live in every day.
Session Two Parent Cue: How is God’s kingdom the opposite of how the world operates?

Session Three: An Upside Down World (9/22/10)
It’s easy to think that God’s kingdom is just about Him and us. It’s easy to forget that we are part of something bigger, something more vast that just our relationship with Him. We are part of His kingdom both some day, and now. We are a part of His mission to restore things that are broken, whether that’s in our own lives or in the lives of those around us, or those half way around the world. And when we live with a future kingdom in mind we can start to make it a more present reality.
Session Three Parent Cue: What are some things that are “broken” around us? How can we be a part of God’s restoration with those things?

Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid; be faithful to work and to wait on the Lord!

They will join our kids’ Sunday morning experience for worship, Bible study and a GREAT time. Students who will be in grades 6-12 in the 2010-11 school year will promote into Sanctus on Wednesday, August 11, in time for our Nacho Libre party. See you all in your new, exciting ministries in August!

Delivery on August 12 at 6:00, volunteers needed. Contact Dede Harrington: dedeharrington@yahoo.com, 281-778-3815 for more information.

We can’t let petty differences separate, divide, and splinter us. There are plenty of things to disagree about we just can’t let them become the priorities. We’ll never be effective warriors as long as we’re complaining about each other, the way and the what we sing, or the programs a church does or doesn’t offer.

We all have to fight with every resource we’ve been given. We can’t go into the next battle without our brother/sister at our side. Its exhausting to fight alone. Our Father has provided all that we need for the battle and its usually in his people. When people Maybe these should be two separate points…. But there you go.

Are we fighting for something worth fighting for? I mean- there’s lots of things to fight for and about. Are we fighting the right things? Maybe the reason some don’t fight and some don’t fight with everything is because we’re not consistently giving them something worth fighting for. Its easy to fight for the immediate things, the things in front of us, the urgent things- so we’ve got to make sure that when we ask them join us in battle that we’re asking them to fight for something that matters that is eternal that is meaningful that is challenging that stretches them to be the best at something Kingdom worthy.

Probably one of the biggest conundrums in all of this aspect of Christianity is this- its supposed to be fun. Probably not the best of biblical language, but there is supposed to be joy on the journey. But I think its the joy of the sort shared by brothers in arms. Joy that comes from common battles, like sacrifices, stories of victories and defeats that all hold in common. Its a little bittersweet but it might be easier for us to understand, perhaps, if I call it fun. And it is fun.

There’s probably more to say- but that’s it for now. Let’s make sure we fight together with all we have for things that matter for eternity and have a great time doing it together.

Sanders’ House

Sign up at Resource Center or by emailing us at ladies@thesanctuaryfellowship.com

Again, I’m thrilled that we have a church family that sacrifices itself and serves others in tangible ways the way our Lord did. See you and the power of the Spirit tonight!