Embracing Rhythms of Faith in the New School Year
Summary
As we gather at the threshold of a new school year, we are reminded of the sacred rhythms that shape our lives—seasons of preparation, growth, and transition. Today, we celebrated these rhythms by blessing our students, teachers, and families, recognizing the vital role each plays in nurturing the next generation. The presentation of Bibles to our third graders stands as a symbol of our commitment to walk alongside them, not just as individuals, but as a community bound together in faith, prayer, and encouragement.
The heart of our calling is to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength, and to impress these truths upon those who come after us. This is not a task for parents or teachers alone, but for all of us, as we seek to embody the gospel in our daily lives and relationships. The rhythms of the school year mirror the rhythms of faith: times of learning, rest, challenge, and celebration. In every season, we are invited to rehearse our faith—not as a rote exercise, but as a way of forming habits that anchor us in God’s love and purpose.
To grow as disciples and to make disciples, there are four essential practices that shape our journey: worship, Christian formation, service, and stewardship. Worship is our calibration table, the place where we realign our lives with God’s unchanging standard and are reminded of who we are and whose we are. Christian formation happens in community, through small groups, Bible studies, and ministries that nurture our faith and provide support and encouragement. Service is love in action, where our beliefs take tangible form in acts of kindness, hospitality, and mission—both within our church and out in the world. Stewardship is not about what God wants from us, but what God wants for us: freedom, joy, and participation in God’s mission through the wise use of our resources.
As we set goals for the year ahead, let us commit to these practices—not as add-ons, but as the very streams that sustain a life of following Jesus. Whether you are a student, a parent, a teacher, or simply someone seeking to grow, there is a place for you in this journey. Let us encourage one another, support one another, and together, pursue a year of deepening discipleship and faithful witness.
Key Takeaways
- The rhythms of life—school years, seasons, transitions—are opportunities to rehearse and deepen our faith. Just as God’s people have always woven faith into daily routines, we are called to impress God’s love and commandments on the next generation through intentional, everyday practices. Faith is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey shaped by the habits we cultivate. [53:18]
- Worship is the church’s calibration table, a weekly return to God’s presence that re-centers our hearts and lives. In a world that constantly pulls us in different directions, regular worship grounds us in God’s story and reminds us of our true identity. Making worship a non-negotiable priority transforms not only our own lives but the life of our community. [55:10]
- Christian formation thrives in community, where we are known, encouraged, and challenged. Small groups, Bible studies, and ministries are not just educational—they are spaces of belonging and transformation. When we invest in these relationships, we create a network of support that sustains us through every season of life. [59:46]
- Service is where faith becomes tangible, moving beyond belief to action. Whether through hospitality, missions, or simple acts of kindness, serving others is how we embody Christ’s love in the world. Service is not reserved for a select few; everyone has gifts to offer, and every act of service, no matter how small, contributes to the flourishing of God’s kingdom. [01:08:50]
- Stewardship is about aligning our resources—time, talents, and finances—with God’s purposes. It is not about obligation, but about freedom and joy in participating in God’s mission. Teaching stewardship to the next generation, and practicing it ourselves, shapes us into generous, grateful people who trust God’s provision and invest in what truly matters. [01:13:26]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[14:21] - Affirming Our Faith: The Apostles Creed
[29:19] - Blessing of Backpacks and School Year Prayer
[38:10] - Third Grade Bible Presentation and Promises
[47:20] - Offering and Reflections on Giving
[49:24] - Embracing Life’s Rhythms and Transitions
[53:18] - The Call to Rehearse Faith in Daily Life
[55:10] - Worship: The Calibration Table of the Soul
[59:46] - Christian Formation: Growing in Community
[01:04:55] - Upcoming Bible Studies and Opportunities
[01:08:50] - Service: Love in Action
[01:13:26] - Stewardship: Freedom and Joy in Giving
[01:15:48] - Taking the Next Step: Getting Involved
[01:20:41] - Blessing and Sending Forth
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Rhythms of Faith for a New Season
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### Bible Reading
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (ESV)
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Deuteronomy 6:4-9, what are some specific ways God’s people are told to keep His commandments at the center of daily life?
2. In the sermon, what four essential practices were named as shaping our journey as disciples? ([49:24])
3. How did the pastor describe the purpose of worship in the life of the church? What illustration did he use? ([55:10])
4. What is the significance of presenting Bibles to third graders in the context of the church’s commitment to the next generation? ([38:10])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God commands His people to impress His words on the next generation “when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up”? What does this say about faith and daily life? (Deuteronomy 6:7)
2. The sermon calls worship the “calibration table” for our lives. What does it mean for worship to “re-center” us, and why might this be necessary in today’s world? ([55:10])
3. The pastor said Christian formation “happens in community.” Why is it important for faith to be nurtured in groups rather than just individually? ([59:46])
4. How does the idea of stewardship as “what God wants for us” (not just from us) change the way we think about giving and using our resources? ([01:13:26])
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### Application Questions
1. The rhythms of the school year were compared to the rhythms of faith—times of learning, rest, challenge, and celebration. Which “season” are you in right now, and how can you use it to deepen your faith? ([49:24])
2. The sermon challenged us to make worship a “non-negotiable” priority. What would it look like for you or your family to commit to regular worship this year? What obstacles might you face, and how could you overcome them? ([55:10])
3. Think about your current involvement in Christian formation (small groups, Bible studies, ministries). Is there a next step you feel called to take to grow deeper in community? What’s holding you back? ([59:46])
4. Service was described as “love in action.” What is one tangible way you could serve—either inside or outside the church—this month? Is there a new area you feel nudged to try? ([01:08:50])
5. The pastor shared a practical way to teach stewardship to kids using “give, save, spend” jars. How do you currently practice stewardship with your time, talents, or finances? Is there a small change you could make to align more with God’s purposes? ([01:13:26])
6. The sermon emphasized that impressing faith on the next generation is a responsibility for the whole community, not just parents or teachers. Who in your life (child, youth, new believer) could you encourage or support in their faith journey this year? ([38:10])
7. As you set goals for the year ahead, which of the four essential practices—worship, Christian formation, service, stewardship—do you most want to grow in? What is one concrete step you can take this week to move forward? ([49:24])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to pray for one another as they enter a new season, asking God to help each person grow in the rhythms of faith and to support one another as a community.
Devotional
Day 1: Loving God and Teaching the Next Generation
The call to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength is not just a personal command but a communal one, inviting us to impress God’s words on the next generation through daily rhythms and intentional teaching. Whether we are parents, teachers, mentors, or simply members of the faith community, we are all entrusted with nurturing faith in others—children, new believers, or anyone growing in Christ. This means weaving God’s truth into the fabric of everyday life: in our conversations, routines, and the way we model faith, so that God’s love becomes a living reality for those around us. [53:18]
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (ESV)
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
Reflection: Who is one person—child, friend, or new believer—you can intentionally encourage in faith this week by sharing a story, prayer, or word of encouragement from your own walk with God?
Day 2: The Power of Worship to Re-Center Our Lives
Worship is not an optional extra but the essential “calibration table” for our souls, drawing us back to God’s unchanging standard amid the pressures and distractions of life. Gathering together in worship—whether in person or online—recenters our hearts, reminds us of who we are and whose we are, and grounds us in God’s story rather than our own schedules. Making worship a non-negotiable priority shapes our week, strengthens our faith, and helps us resist the cultural drift that fragments our attention. [56:10]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
Reflection: What would it look like for you to make weekly worship—whether in person or online—a non-negotiable part of your life this year, and how might that change your perspective or priorities?
Day 3: Growing Deeper Through Christian Community
Spiritual growth flourishes in the context of community, where we are known, encouraged, and supported through small groups, Bible studies, and ministries. Being part of a group is more than just learning; it’s about building relationships that nurture faith, provide accountability, and offer a place to belong. Whether you join a Sunday school class, a ministry group, or a short-term study, these connections help you grow deeper in Christ and remind you that you are not alone on your journey. [59:46]
Acts 2:42, 46-47 (ESV)
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers... And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
Reflection: Is there a group or ministry you feel drawn to join or help start this season? What step can you take this week to connect more deeply with others in Christian community?
Day 4: Serving Others as an Expression of Love
Service is where our faith becomes tangible, as love puts on “work clothes” and steps out into the world—whether in a neighbor’s driveway, a food pantry, a mission trip, or a church ministry. Every act of service, big or small, is a way to participate in God’s work and to bless others, using the unique gifts and talents God has given you. There are countless opportunities to serve both within the church and beyond, and each one is a chance to make a difference and to grow as a disciple of Jesus. [01:08:50]
1 Peter 4:10 (ESV)
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”
Reflection: What is one specific way you can use your gifts to serve someone in your church or community this week, even if it’s a small act of kindness or volunteering for a new ministry?
Day 5: Practicing Generosity and Stewardship
Stewardship is not about God wanting something from us, but about God wanting something for us—freedom from fear, joy in giving, and the blessing of aligning our resources with God’s kingdom purposes. Practicing generosity, whether through giving, saving, or wisely spending, is a spiritual discipline that shapes our hearts and teaches us to trust God as our provider. It’s a lesson for all ages, and a habit that brings joy and purpose as we participate in God’s mission together. [01:13:26]
2 Corinthians 9:7-8 (ESV)
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”
Reflection: How might you set a new goal for generosity this year—whether in giving, saving, or sharing your resources—and what practical step can you take this week to begin living it out?
Quotes
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