It’s Time To Write Your Chapter….

Join the Story!

Service Trip 2012

May 25 – June 3, 2012

Interested?  Contact Jeff Wylie (jeff@jeffwylie.com) or Jon Schock (jschock@gracechurchcobb.org).

Now through April 4th, the Library will be open on Wednesdays from 11:30am-2:00pm. If you need something from the Library on a Wednesday,  and can’t make this timeframe, please contact Nan O’Day to see if she can accommodate you.

To sign up, click here.

December 31st – Heaven

Revelation 21:9-22:5

John now sees what we call “heaven”: a totally new heaven and earth, a fresh creation destined to be the home of God and His people (21:1). John sees a New Jerusalem, the symbol of God’s presence, descending (vv. 2–5). He hears Christ proclaim this new creation the home of the godly, from which sin and sinners are forever excluded (vv. 6–8). John is then given a closer look at the vast New Jerusalem, glistening with jewels (vv. 9–21). He realizes that there is no temple in the city, for God Himself is present and provides its light. That city thus serves as a beacon for all humankind (vv. 22–27). John also sees a river flowing from the city lined with fruit trees. Like the city itself, the land is forever suffused with the light of God’s presence, never to know night. There God’s servants will reign for ever and ever (22:1–6). As the beatific vision fades John hears Christ speak and promise, “Behold, I am coming soon” (v. 7). (Excerpted from the Bible Reader’s Companion)

Personal and Family Faith Talk Questions

1. What is the most beautiful place you have ever seen. What about it was so beautiful to you?
2. What do you think it will be like to live with no fear, or pain or death?
3. Why is there no need for a temple in the New Jerusalem?
4. What do you think it will be like to have God and Jesus living with us?
5. What is the requirement to live forever with God?
6. What does it mean to you that you will live forever with God?
7. How does it make you feel about sharing the news with the world around you today?

Advent Application

Put your hope in God and eagerly wait for His promised return.

Prayer

(Led by Mike O’Day)
Father God, we praise You and give You thanks for Your amazing plan for eternal life, and for Your Son who is the Hope of glory, the Alpha and Omega. With all of creation, we “wait in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed” and for “the creation itself to be released from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God…For in this hope we were save” (Rom 8:19-24). With complete confidence in You as the ultimate promise keeper, we ask Your help to prepare us as Your bride beautifully dressed for our groom, Jesus. We eagerly anticipate Jesus wiping every tear, taking away death, healing every pain and giving us the free gift of the water of life. Thank You for preparing our place with You. With the great multitude in heaven, we say, “Hallelujah!” and “Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to you for ever and ever. Amen!” (Rev 7:12)

For the Kids

Hand Motion: Jump up and down.
Sound: Cheer and shout “We’re going to heaven!”

December 30th – The Holy Spirit Came at Pentecost

Acts 2:1-21

Jesus told His disciples that after he left, God would send a helper to give them power and to live in their hearts. The Holy Spirit was first given to the disciples on the Day of Pentecost, then to others who believed in Jesus. He dwells in believer’s hearts today and helps them live according to God’s plan. The New Testament church has fascinated Christians through the ages. The excitement, the vitality, the depth of fellowship portrayed in early Acts has attracted many. No one can duplicate any moment in history. Yet as we these verses in Acts, we do discover principles which will vitalize Christian experience. Let us make a fresh commitment to the God who worked so powerfully in the men and women of the early church. He lives today, and He is fully able to work just as powerfully in us. (Excerpted from the Bible Reader’s Companion)

Personal and Family Faith Talk Questions

1. Have you ever been surrounded by people who spoke a different language than you? How did you respond to the situation?
2. Why was it important for the Holy Spirit to come?
3. What were the signs of the Holy Spirit in the crowd of people?
4. What is the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives today?
5. Does knowing that the Holy Spirit indwells you shape how you see what is possible in your life today? In what way?

Advent Application

Never underestimate what will happen when God’s people are filled with God’s Spirit.

Prayer

Father in heaven, over and over again throughout the biblical story, You make promise after promise and come through on each one every time. The miracle of Pentecost must have been nothing short of amazing, but then again, every time You intervene in this world amazing things happen. Help me to remember that a simple life of prayer lived out in community, with a humble dependence and trust in You, while patiently waiting for Your timing creates an environment of Holy Spirit revival. In the words of a familiar worship song, I want to thank You for sending us Your Son and leaving us Your Spirit until the work on earth is done. Please touch Your people once again, Lord, and use us to be world changers for Your glory. Ignite a fire of genuine repentance among Your people that leads to a spiritual awakening of local and global evangelism so that the world might hear the gospel and respond in faith. This I pray in Your name, amen.

For the Kids

Hand Motion: Starting with hands on either side of mouth, extend arms out as you blow.
Sound: Make a wind sound by blowing.

December 29th – The Empty Tomb: Jesus Lives Again

Matthew 28:1-10

Death could not hold Jesus, but energized by the power of the Spirit He burst forth from the grave. The resurrection of Jesus was the sign of Jonah (cf. 12:39–40), the last public sign to the Jews that Jesus was who he claimed to be (28:6). The disciples were commanded to return to Galilee (28:7, 10). That command was delivered by an angel and by Jesus himself. Jesus appeared five times on resurrection day: (1) to Mary Magdalene (Matt. 28:1; Mark 16:9–11; John 20:11–18), (2) to the other women (Matt. 28:8–10), (3) to Simon Peter (Luke 24:33–35; 1 Cor. 15:5), (4) to the two disciples (Mark 16:12–13; Luke 24:13–32), and (5) to the eleven apostles (Matt. 28:16–20; Mark 16:14; Luke 24:36–49; John 20:19–25). (Excerpted from the Bible Reader’s Companion)

Personal and Family Faith Talk Questions

1. What do you like to do first thing on Sunday morning? Why?
2. Why is the resurrection of Jesus so important?
3. What does the appearance of the Angel at the resurrection remind you of?
4. Why do you think that both the angel and Jesus encouraged the women to not be afraid? Do you think you would have been afraid in the same situation?
5. Does the reality of Jesus’ resurrection affect your life today? In what ways?

Advent Application

If Christ is not raised from the dead, then your faith in Him means nothing. But if Christ is risen from the dead, then your faith in Him means everything.

Prayer

Lord, I can only imagine what it must have been like for those early followers of Yours between Good Friday and Easter. Surely they had many questions as they placed You in the empty tomb. No doubt they had a lump in their throat as they asked each other what happened. There is no question that the circumstances of those events led to discouragement and even despair. Similarly, Lord, the hardships of life now can have a paralyzing affect upon us. It is hard when sickness and death separate us from those we love. It is painful when differences of opinion, direction and values cause strain and distrust in relationships. It is confusing and discouraging when injustice and violence seem to rule while innocence and righteousness are trampled upon. I don’t particularly like the pain or completely understand the purpose of it all, but I believe that one day You will make all things right according to Your will and ultimately for Your glory. I am putting my hope in You today so that my strength might be renewed and my vision be made clear. You are the everlasting God. You neither faint nor grow weary, neither sleep nor slumber. You are God, all powerful and almighty, and therefore able to make things right in Your timing. You are God, loving, compassionate, and caring and desire the well-being of Your children. It is in the truth of Who You are and the promises that You have made that I put my trust and confidence. Lord, help me to trust in You while I wait for the day when all things will be made right, and may the same life-giving power that was at work at the resurrection sustain me until that time. Amen.

For the Kids

Hand Motion: Roll arms in front of you and throw them up into the air.
Sound: Say “Up from the grave He arose!”

December 28th – Jesus Died on the Cross

Luke 23:26-49

Jesus is accused by the leaders of His people, condemned by Pilate, and rejected by the crowds who prefer the release of a terrorist to that of Jesus (22:63–23:25). He is crucified as friends, enemies, and bored soldiers look on, but even on the cross He awakens faith in a criminal condemned to die with Him (vv. 26–43). Jesus dies (vv 44–49), and His body is hurriedly placed in a borrowed tomb (vv. 50–56). The story of Jesus seems, but only seems, to be at an end. (Excerpted from the Bible Reader’s Companion)

Personal and Family Faith Talk Questions

1. How and when the meaning of Jesus’ death began to make sense to you?
2. Why did Jesus have to be crucified?
3. How do you think the disciples reacted when they heard him asking His father to forgive those who were crucifying him? Is it easy for you to pray for your enemies?
4. Why was the curtain of the temple torn in two?
5. What was the reaction of the people who saw Jesus die?
6. Do you think it is easy to explain Jesus’ death to those who are unsaved?

Advent Application

From the cradle to the cross, disregarding every loss, He still came for you and me, Paid our debt to set us free.

Prayer

Almighty Lord, You are the Maker of Heaven and Earth, the Creator and Sustainer of life. And yet, You were willing to die in my place so that I may have eternal life. Yours was not like any other death. Yours had a purpose like no other. Before one living cell was created on earth, You determined that You would die. Before the breathe of heaven entered man, You purposed a brutal and breathless crucifixion for the sake of man. You were laid in a wooden manger on that first Christmas, and yet unjustly nailed to a wooden cross on that Good Friday. Your were wrapped in swaddling clothes upon Your arrival, but at the end wrapped in a linen shroud and laid in a tomb. The cry of the crowd on that first Christmas was “Come let us adore him!”. The cry of the crowd years later was “Come let us crucify Him!” In spite of sinful man’s rebellious heart, You decided to demonstrate Your love for us by paying a debt we could never pay. This is a love so amazing that it demands my soul, my life and my all. Lord, empower me today with a servant heart that I may take up my cross and follow You. Give me a selfless faith and love so that I may no longer live for myself but for the One who died for me. This I pray for Your glory and my good. Amen.

For the Kids

Hand Motion: Point right middle finger into left palm, then left middle finger into right palm.
Sound: Say “Jesus died on the cross.”

December 27th – Jesus performed many miracles

John 2:1-11

At a wedding in Cana, Jesus sustained the joy of the occasion by turning water into wine when the supply of drink ran out. Few besides the disciples saw the miracle, but, actually, the miracle was for them. In that miracle Jesus began to unveil His glory, and “His disciples put their faith in Him.” (Excerpted from the Teacher’s Commentary)

Personal and Family Faith Talk Questions

1. What is the most interesting thing that you have ever experienced at a wedding?
2. Why do you think that Jesus performed miracles?
3. Why do you think that the first miracles Jesus performed were done “in secret?”
4. How were the miracles that Jesus performed similar to the acts where God showed His power to the Israelites in the Old Testament? How were they different?
5. Do you see God’s hand in the world around you today?

Advent Application

The purpose of miracles is not to give proof so that faith is unnecessary, but to give us enough evidence so that faith can be encouraged.

Prayer

(Exerpt from Charles Swindoll)
“Father, we know it is not right for so much hope, joy and peace to be stolen from us everyday. Yet sometimes there seems to be no escape for us from the treadmill of our daily lives. We ask You to help us and to guide us into a finer way of living. Lord, check our impulse to spread ourselves so thin that we are exposed to fear and doubt and to the weariness and impatience that makes our tempers wear thin, that robs us of peace of mind, that makes our skies grey when they should be blue, that stifles a song along the corridors of our heart. May we have Your mercy and forgiveness, Your strength to make us resolute to do Your will, Your grace to make us kind, tender and affectionate one to another. This we ask in His name, in Whom all peace resides. Amen.”

For the Kids

Hand Motion: Quickly bring palms of hands to cheeks with a surprised expression on face.
Sound: Say “Surprise! The miracles!”

December 26th – Jesus Called His Disciples

Matthew 4:18-22
Matthew 10:2-4

Jesus’ message was precisely the same as John the Baptist’s (4:17; cf. 3:2). Jesus started where John left off, but he would soon go far beyond all that John had said and done (cf., for example, 4:23–25; 5:1–7:29). The call of the first disciples in 4:18–22 chronologically follows the events of John 1:35–51. This was not the first contact that
these men had had with Jesus. They had heard John the Baptist identify him as the Lamb of God and had traveled with Jesus to Cana where they had seen his first miracle (John 2:1–11). But now at Jesus’ invitation, they left their fishing to become fishers of men by proclaiming the gospel. The gospel was the “good news” of forgiveness for those who would repent and align themselves with the righteous remnant (cf. Isa. 1:19–20; 25:6–9; 51:1–8; Mal. 4:1–2). (Excerpted from the Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary)

Personal and Family Faith Talk Questions

1. Share the story of how you left home for the first time.
2. Why do you think that Jesus called disciples to follow him?
3. What was the occupation of the first disciples Jesus called to follow him?
4. Why do you think that the men immediately left their nets to follow Jesus?
5. What does is mean to be “fishers of men?”
6. Have you given up things in your life to follow Jesus? What are they?

Advent Application

Full-time Followers of the King of Kings (part-timers need not apply).

Prayer

(Led by Jon Schock)
To Yahweh God – the One who continually reaches out His hands to a stubborn and obstinate people – we bow our hearts to You. We are amazed at how You are always reaching out to humanity. The God who spoke galaxies into existence, who simply moved the waters of the Red Sea, who easily dispersed the nation of Israel among the surrounding pagan peoples as discipline, only to call them to repentance and gather them again – You once again call, not to the wise, the learned, the influential, but to everyday joe schmoe guys – fisherman – to follow You. You – the Holy One, the Only God – call out . . . . to us. Help us, Lord, to ponder deeply in our hearts and minds the unexplainable, yet glorious Christ-exalting truth contained in that simple sentence. And, Lord Jesus, by your Spirit, may we respond, again, today, to that call. To follow hard after you. In all we say, in all we do, every moment of the rest of our days, right now – we choose to follow you. In Jesus Christ we pray – Amen.

For the Kids

Hand Motion: A big arm wave as if to say “Come this way!”
Sound: Say “Follow me!”

December 25th – Jesus Christ was Born!

Luke 2:4-20

During the reign of Augustus (31 bc–ad 14) the Romans reorganized their administration in several parts of the empire and carried out fresh censuses for the purpose of taxation. The execution of such an imperial decree in Syria (with which the area of Judea was associated) brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, long ago prophesied as the Messiah’s place of birth. The fact that Mary travelled with Joseph indicates that they were now married, but the description of her as pledged to be married shows that they had not yet consummated the marriage (cf. Mt. 1:25). Although an early Christian tradition suggests that the child was born in a cave, Luke appears to mean a part of an inn (or of a house) where animals were kept. (Excerpted from Bible Reader’s Companion)

Personal and Family Faith Talk Questions

1. Do you know the names of your great-grandparents? Do you know where they lived?
2. Jesus birth was very humble. What does it reveal to you about God’s character?
3. What is the significance of how the angels responded to the birth of Jesus?
4. The birth of Jesus was first told to shepherds in the field, what does this tell you about the spread of the gospel?

Advent Application

The joy of Christmas is to be ours everyday.

Prayer

O King of kings, as we celebrate Your birth today, we remember the love You showed us through Your life and in Your death. Such love is beyond our comprehension, beyond the normal, far beyond what we deserved. You truly are Joy to this world of ours, and our hope and prayer today is that each and every heart might prepare room for You. As we gather with family and friends, may Your joy be present in us, may Your peace dwell richly with us, and may your love flow abundantly through us for Your glory and our good. Amen.

For the Kids

Hand Motion: Move folded arms back and forth as if rocking a baby.
Sound: Say “Jesus was born!”