Grounding Families in Truth: Transforming Lives Through Christ

Summary

### Summary

This week, our church is gearing up for Vacation Bible School (VBS), a pivotal time to connect our children and families with the unchanging truth of God's Word. The focus is on grounding our kids in the truth, helping them develop a personal relationship with Jesus, and equipping parents to navigate the spiritual battles they face. The questions parents are asking today are being asked at younger ages, making it crucial for us to partner with families and support them in their unique rhythms and challenges.

We have several events throughout the year aimed at connecting families to the gospel, such as our recent mother-son and daddy-daughter events. These activities are not just for fun but are designed to instill a sense of mission and purpose in our children, encouraging them to live out their faith from a young age. Our goal is to create opportunities for parents to be the primary spiritual influencers in their children's lives.

Romans 12:2 serves as our guiding scripture, reminding us not to conform to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This transformation is essential not just for the children but for adults as well. We must be vigilant against the cultural forces that seek to mold us into something that does not reflect Christ. Instead, we should be led by the Good Shepherd, allowing His truth to shape our lives.

The story of the shepherd and the butcher illustrates the importance of being led by God's truth rather than the world's lies. Just as the Israelites were warned not to adopt the practices of Egypt and Canaan, we too must resist conforming to the world's patterns. This requires intentional practice, purpose, and recognizing the priceless value of transformation in Christ.

As we prepare for VBS, our focus should be on whether our thoughts and actions reflect Jesus. The visible pattern of Christ in our lives will make a lasting impact on the children and families we serve. Satan's tactic is to make the church look like the world, but we must stand firm in God's truth, ensuring that our lives are a clear reflection of His mercy and love.

### Key Takeaways

1. The Importance of Grounding in Truth: In today's world, children are facing complex questions at increasingly younger ages. It's vital to ground them in the unchanging truth of God's Word and help them develop a personal relationship with Jesus. This foundation will equip them to navigate life's challenges with a biblical perspective. [22:13]

2. Parental Influence and Spiritual Leadership: Parents are the primary spiritual influencers in their children's lives. Events like mother-son and daddy-daughter outings are designed to equip parents to have meaningful conversations and instill a sense of mission and purpose in their children. This partnership between the church and families is crucial for spiritual growth. [23:33]

3. Transformation Over Conformity: Romans 12:2 calls us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds rather than conforming to the world's patterns. This transformation is essential for both children and adults. It requires intentional practice, purpose, and recognizing the priceless value of living a life that reflects Christ. [31:45]

4. The Role of the Good Shepherd: The story of the shepherd and the butcher illustrates the importance of being led by God's truth rather than the world's lies. Just as the Israelites were warned not to adopt the practices of Egypt and Canaan, we too must resist conforming to the world's patterns and follow the Good Shepherd. [33:26]

5. The Eternal Perspective: Our lives should be constantly renewed because this world is fading away. The transformation we undergo in Christ has an eternal reward, far surpassing any temporary comfort or success. This perspective helps us focus on what truly matters and live in a way that reflects God's eternal truth. [50:37]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[22:13] - Importance of Grounding in Truth
[23:33] - Parental Influence and Spiritual Leadership
[31:45] - Transformation Over Conformity
[33:26] - The Role of the Good Shepherd
[50:37] - The Eternal Perspective

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
1. Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
2. Leviticus 18:1-4 - "The Lord said to Moses, 'Speak to the Israelites and say to them: I am the Lord your God. You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices. You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the Lord your God.'"
3. 2 Corinthians 3:18 - "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

### Observation Questions
1. What does Romans 12:2 instruct us to do instead of conforming to the world? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on transformation? [31:45]
2. According to Leviticus 18:1-4, what were the Israelites commanded not to do, and what were they instructed to follow instead? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about resisting cultural conformity? [35:00]
3. In 2 Corinthians 3:18, what is the result of contemplating the Lord’s glory, and how does this process of transformation occur?

### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of being transformed by the renewing of our minds in Romans 12:2 apply to the challenges faced by parents and children today? [22:13]
2. What are some modern-day "practices of Egypt and Canaan" that Christians are warned against in the sermon, and how can we avoid them? [35:00]
3. How does the story of the shepherd and the butcher illustrate the importance of being led by God's truth rather than the world's lies? [33:26]

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you feel you are conforming to the patterns of this world? What steps can you take to renew your mind and be transformed? [31:45]
2. As a parent or spiritual leader, how can you intentionally ground your children or those you mentor in the truth of God's Word? What specific actions can you take this week to start this process? [22:13]
3. Think about the events and activities you participate in with your family or community. How can you ensure these are not just for fun but also instill a sense of mission and purpose in line with the gospel? [23:33]
4. How can you be vigilant against cultural forces that seek to mold you into something that does not reflect Christ? Identify one cultural influence you need to resist and how you plan to do it. [35:00]
5. The sermon mentioned the importance of having a visible pattern of Jesus in our lives. What are some practical ways you can ensure your thoughts and actions reflect Jesus, especially during high-pressure times like VBS? [39:58]
6. How can you support and equip other parents or spiritual leaders in your community to be the primary spiritual influencers in their children's lives? What resources or events could you suggest or help organize? [23:33]
7. Reflect on the eternal perspective mentioned in the sermon. How does focusing on the eternal reward help you prioritize your time, talents, and treasures differently? What changes can you make this week to align more with this perspective? [50:37]

Devotional

Day 1: Grounding in God's Unchanging Truth
Description: In today's world, children are facing complex questions at increasingly younger ages. It's vital to ground them in the unchanging truth of God's Word and help them develop a personal relationship with Jesus. This foundation will equip them to navigate life's challenges with a biblical perspective. As we prepare for Vacation Bible School (VBS), our focus should be on whether our thoughts and actions reflect Jesus. The visible pattern of Christ in our lives will make a lasting impact on the children and families we serve. Satan's tactic is to make the church look like the world, but we must stand firm in God's truth, ensuring that our lives are a clear reflection of His mercy and love. [22:13]

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: How can you incorporate daily conversations about God's truth into your family's routine today?

Day 2: Parental Influence and Spiritual Leadership
Description: Parents are the primary spiritual influencers in their children's lives. Events like mother-son and daddy-daughter outings are designed to equip parents to have meaningful conversations and instill a sense of mission and purpose in their children. This partnership between the church and families is crucial for spiritual growth. By creating opportunities for parents to be the primary spiritual influencers, we help them navigate the spiritual battles they face and support them in their unique rhythms and challenges. [23:33]

Proverbs 22:6 (ESV): "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."

Reflection: What is one specific way you can intentionally lead your child spiritually this week?

Day 3: Transformation Over Conformity
Description: Romans 12:2 calls us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds rather than conforming to the world's patterns. This transformation is essential for both children and adults. It requires intentional practice, purpose, and recognizing the priceless value of living a life that reflects Christ. We must be vigilant against the cultural forces that seek to mold us into something that does not reflect Christ. Instead, we should be led by the Good Shepherd, allowing His truth to shape our lives. [31:45]

Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself conforming to the world, and how can you seek transformation through Christ today?

Day 4: Following the Good Shepherd
Description: The story of the shepherd and the butcher illustrates the importance of being led by God's truth rather than the world's lies. Just as the Israelites were warned not to adopt the practices of Egypt and Canaan, we too must resist conforming to the world's patterns and follow the Good Shepherd. This requires intentional practice, purpose, and recognizing the priceless value of transformation in Christ. By following the Good Shepherd, we allow His truth to shape our lives and resist the cultural forces that seek to mold us into something that does not reflect Christ. [33:26]

John 10:14-15 (ESV): "I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep."

Reflection: How can you actively follow the Good Shepherd's guidance in your daily decisions and actions?

Day 5: Living with an Eternal Perspective
Description: Our lives should be constantly renewed because this world is fading away. The transformation we undergo in Christ has an eternal reward, far surpassing any temporary comfort or success. This perspective helps us focus on what truly matters and live in a way that reflects God's eternal truth. As we prepare for VBS, our focus should be on whether our thoughts and actions reflect Jesus. The visible pattern of Christ in our lives will make a lasting impact on the children and families we serve. [50:37]

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: What temporary concerns are distracting you from focusing on God's eternal truth, and how can you shift your perspective today?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Some people say truth can be different for different people. God says, truth comes from me. Some people say, do what makes you happy. God says, my plan is best. Some people say, being a good person gets you into heaven. God says, everyone sins and needs a savior. Some people say, there are many ways to get into heaven. God says, Jesus is the only way to get into heaven. Some people say, if you don't agree with me, you don't love me. God says, speak the truth in love." [27:57](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The reality is, the essential belief that God's truth never changes might be more deeply relevant for those adults in the room this morning than for the boys and girls who will be participating in VBS. This week. And while our mission is to introduce boys and girls to a personal relationship with Jesus as their savior and ground their faith on the rock that never changes, as adults, we know how difficult it is to not be conformed to this age." [29:40](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We must ask ourselves, Are we being led by what God through his word says is true? Are we being led by the world, or are we being led by truth? And we're also reminded that even when we are being led by God's word, what others say is constantly pursuing and surrounding us. But we can boldly follow the good shepherd through obedience, through the renewing of our minds, to know God's good and perfect will for our lives." [33:26](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "One of Satan's oldest schemes, the battle he uses against the church is trying to make the church look like the world. And I'm not talking about what style of music or what kind of programs or how contemporary or traditional the church might feel. I'm talking about the scheme where Satan wants to make people in the church, who by definition are the church, look, feel, and act less transformed and more like the pattern of this world." [41:37](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Some people say, do what makes you happy. Some people say, my truth is relative. Some people say, if you disagree with me, you don't love me. And when we're in the heat of that spiritual battle, even if we're able to respond with truth, the voice we can easily hear is the voice we first heard in Genesis 3 that says, did God really say that? Did God really say my plan is best? Did God really say truth comes from me? Did God really say, speak truth and love? God really did say that. And so when Paul writes, do not conform, it means that we look to Christ and the truth of his word to set our standard. Not to this world." [43:33](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Church Family Romans 12 gives us an instruction on how to be transformed as we stand for truth in an age where we can dangerously miss the truth in his word. And the only way to pass this on to each generation is for our lives to become more like Jesus and point others to a relationship with God." [31:45](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The idea behind the word conform describes following a certain pattern or being put into a mold that is not reflective of what is in you. Paul is urgently saying, because you have Christ in you, do not let your life conform to look like the world outside of you." [35:00](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "What needs to be present in my life and our focus as a church is, are my thoughts and my actions following a pattern of this world, or are they being transformed as I follow Jesus? And being completely honest in the pressure of VBS, this is not always easy for me. There will be times when I want to speak before I think or when I feel tired and impatient, or maybe where I just feel overwhelmed. But here's what I know. If myself and our volunteers and our church are representing a visible pattern of Jesus, not being molded to look like the world, but where the kids clearly see Christ and a pattern of transformation, they will better know what it looks like to give their life to Christ and truly follow him." [39:58](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "When I as an individual or you as an individual or us as a collective body of Christ fall into a mold of conforming to the pattern of this world, it greatly diminishes the power of God in our lives and the ability for the church to be a light. Now, the power of God never changes, but the visibility of that power cannot be hidden or camouflaged in our lives. By patterns of this world. That's where the trick or tactic Satan uses becomes so deadly." [41:37](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Being transformed means those gifts show the world what it means to look, act, and follow Christ. Being transformed means that our lives are a reflection of the glory of the Lord because of the spirit's work in us. Second Corinthians 3:18 says, but we all with unveiled faces looking as in the mirror at the glory of the Lord are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory just is from the Lord a spirit." [45:11](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?