Kindness
Happiness=Forgiveness
Everyone’s looking for happiness – from diet plans, to dating sites, to shopping trips – we’re looking everywhere. And yet, happiness-producing things are already all around us… if we can see them.
1. Read
Romans 14:17 [SEV] “God’s kingdom isn’t about eating and drinking. It is about pleasing God, about living in peace, and about true happiness. All this comes from the Holy Spirit.”
God doesn’t want to snuff out the happiness in your life – He wants to fill your life with it.The instructions we find in the Bible are there to make your life better, and in the end, they produce the kind of happiness that will last.
- What’s your favorite fruit? Think of all the work that goes into producing it – planting, fertilizing, harvesting, etc. Does the fruit come without the work?
- What are some God-adjustments to your life that take effort? What sort of fruit might they produce in your life in the long run? What about in someone else’s life?
2. Challenge
Proverbs 17:9 [ESV] “Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.”
Resentment & unforgiveness keep you so focused on the bad in your life that you become unable to appreciate the good. God calls you to forgive, not only for the sake of others, but to keep you from nullifying your own happiness.
- Think of someone you know who’s bitter or resentful. Is their “right” to be angry making them happier? Are they pleasant to be around?
- What are some ways their life might change if they let go of old hurts?
- List a few things God has forgiven you for. Did He deserve what you did? Did you deserve His forgiveness? In light of His example, what sorts of things should you be willing to forgive when people do them to you?
3. Prayer Focus
Thank God for how ready He is to forgive you when you mess up. Ask the Holy Spirit to highlight old wounds you still hang onto, and to help you to truly forgive, so you can move forward in uninhibited happiness.
Family with Small Children Discussion Guide
Super Science Sunday!
1. Power Verse
Galatians 6:2 “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
What’s Up: “God gives us friends and family to help us during tough times.”
The kids experienced wacky science experiments in Overflow Kids Church today, all designed to demonstrate Biblical truths. Take a few minutes to discuss the service with your kids. What was their favorite experiment? Did they learn any scientific facts?
2. The Science
These are some of the experiments that were used in the children’s service, and the Biblical points they demonstrated.
Balloon on a bed of nails: A balloon can be popped by a single nail, but not when placed on a bed full of nails. This reminds us that God gives us friends and family to help us during tough times.
- Think of a time when you were helped by someone.
- Have ever been blessed by another person?
- What are some ways that people can really help each other?
3. Discussion
Inertia Beads Demonstration: A long string of beads is placed into a cup. A slight tug on one end of the beads creates an inertia reactions that pulls all of the beads quickly out of the cup.
Proverbs 12:26 “One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”
- Why is it important to have good friends?
- What are some ways that our friends might encourage us to make poor decisions?
- How can we encourage our friends to be more like Jesus?
4. Prayer Focus
Take a moment to pray for our friends and family members. Ask God to help each one of us to be good friends that point people toward good decisions and ultimately, closer to God.
Peace
Adult & Teen Discussion Guide
Everybody wants to be at peace – peace with God, with others, peace with whatever life throws at you. God wants that, too. He has peace that’s beyond anything humans can find or cultivate, but it can only be experienced when we’re submitted to His leadership.
1. Discussion
2 Thessalonians 3:16 [NLT] “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation.”
The peace of God is different than a human emotion. Just like His contentment, it supersedes logic and circumstance, and works no matter what kind of storm is blowing around us.
Q. What’s the greatest stress in your life right now? What situation brings the most anxiety?
Q. Have you tried just talking yourself out of stress/worry? How did that work for you?
Q. If you could hit a button and instantly relieve the stress from this situation, how would that impact your quality of life? What other areas in your life might improve?
2. Challenge
Isaiah 26:3 [NLT] “You [God] will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”
God’s peace is perfect- it overcomes any stress or worry- but it’s not a promise to every human. His peace comes with His presence, to those who trust Him and keep their thoughts fixed on Him. When we lean in close to our heavenly father, we can experience the peace of His protection- something truly supernatural.
Q. Think of your stressful situation again, is it easy or difficult to trust God to see you through, no matter the outcome?
Q. What steps could you take this week to keep your thoughts focused more on God your helper and less on the situation and the stress it brings?
3. Prayer Focus
Take a few minutes as a family: thank God for His supernatural peace. Whatever is stressful to you, hand it over to Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to keep your thoughts focused on Him, and to bring, with His presence, perfect peace in every situation.
Family with Small Children Discussion Guide
Lessons From Haman
1. Power Verse
Philippians 2:3 “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.”
What’s Up: “Treat People Nicely – Don’t Be A Jerk!”
2. Discussion
This week, we continue our series called, “You Only Live Once”, or “YOLO.” We’re learning some important lessons about making our lives count! Since we only live once, we need to make sure we do our very best to honor God with our life and remain faithful to Him.
Q. What do you think the word “pride” means?
Q. Have you ever met someone that was filled with pride?
Nobody likes a jerk. They’re filled with pride, always get what they want, and treat others as less than themselves. As followers of Jesus, we need to avoid becoming a jerk.
In the Bible Story this week, we learned from King Xerxes how to NOT be a jerk. King Xerxes made a lot of terrible mistakes that made him a total jerk! We learned to avoid the mistakes King Xerxes made and be much better examples of what it means to be a follower of Jesus.
3. Activity
Q. Who in your life is a great example of kindness?
Q. How can we avoid becoming prideful?
Q. What are some things we can do to show kindness to others?
We need to do our very best to always be humble, to not get mad when we don’t get our way, and to treat people like they matter!
4. Prayer Focus
Pray for your children to avoid being a jerk. Pray that they would love and treat everyone with humility and kindness!
Generosity
Adult & Teen Discussion Guide
Have you ever received way more than you expected? Whether it was a bigger tax refund, or an unexpected hand from your neighbor hauling bags of mulch, it feels great to be on the receiving end of generosity. It feels great to be on the giving end, too… because generosity is a function of God’s character at work in us.
1. Discussion
Ephesians 1:7–8 [ESV] “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight.”
God modeled generosity – going beyond what’s required or expected – when He sent Jesus to live and die to redeem humankind.
Q. God didn’t have to go to such great lengths to save humanity. What other responses to sin could He have taken? What response would you have taken if it had been your decision?
Q. God’s generosity shows up in plenty of other areas in life beyond our salvation. What are some other ways that God has gone above and beyond for you?
2. Challenge
Ephesians 3:17–19 [ESV] “…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
God expects His children to take on His character – including His generosity. And that encompasses more than money – it’s a willingness to give, whether the need is funds, time, energy, attention, etc. The only way that character change happens is by growing in faith through discipleship.
Q. If someone gauged your relationship with God based solely on your generosity, how close to God would they think you are?
Q. Is generosity easy for you, or is it a challenge? Is there one area for you where generosity comes more easily than others?
3. Prayer Focus
Take a few minutes as a family: thank God for giving to you so freely and extravagantly. Ask the Holy Spirit to grow His generous character in you as you work to know and serve Him better.
Family with Small Children Discussion Guide
Lessons From Haman
1. Power Verse
Psalm 4:4a “Don’t sin by letting anger control you…”
What’s Up: “I Won’t Let Anger Control Me!”
2. Discussion
This week, we continue our series called, “You Only Live Once” or “YOLO.” We’re learning some important lessons about making our lives count! Since we only live once, we need to make sure we do our very best to honor God with our life and remain faithful to Him.
Q. What are some things that make you angry?
Q. How do you normally respond when things make you angry?
There are many things in life that can make us angry. From not getting our way, to attacks against those we love, many things can bring out the anger in us.
Anger is a powerful emotion. If we allow it to take control of our lives, it can bring some dangerous results. If we don’t allow God to help us with our anger – it can turn to bitterness.
3. Activity
Q. Have you ever allowed anger to take control of your life? Explain.
Q. Why should we ask for God’s help when we’re angry?
In the Bible Story this week, we learned from the story of Haman and how he reacted to Mordecai and the Jews. We learned that it is not a sin to become angry, but it is a sin to allow anger to control you.
Q. What are some appropriate ways to act when you become angry?
Q. What can you do to avoid allowing anger to take control of your life?
4. Prayer Focus
Pray that your children would begin to ask for God’s help when they become angry so they don’t allow their anger to control their lives or lead to bitterness.
Contentment
Adult & Teen Discussion Guide
Everyone wants to be happy. When you’re happy, life is sweeter, your outlook on the future is brighter, the glass is always half full. God wants you to have hope and a positive outlook, too, but in a way that supersedes the human formula for “happiness.” He wants us to experience supernatural contentment.
1. Discussion
Philippians 4:11-13 [ESV] “…I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Through the Holy Spirit’s guidance, Paul found the secret to feeling content with his life, no matter what it looked like. It wasn’t a switch that flipped instantly – it was a process.
Q. When Paul says in verse 12 “I have learned,” in what sorts of ways do you think he was taught?
Q. Paul wrote this letter nearly 30 years after deciding to follow Jesus. How long do you think it took him to grow to the place where he could write these words truthfully?
2. Challenge
Paul may have been content with his life, but most outsiders looking in at his life would call it difficult at best. It’s hard to understand how someone who was repeatedly rejected, beaten, and threatened could write about contentment, but that’s just the point – God’s contentment bypasses our logical understanding. It may not makes sense to others, but when it’s you… it just works.
Q. What are 3 things you would change about your life today?
Q. Is contentment and thankfulness for your life- just as it is – easy for you to feel and express, or is it a challenge right now?
Q. Learning contentment means seeing your life through God’s worldview. What can you do this week to strengthen that worldview in your mind & heart?
3. Prayer Focus
Take a few minutes as a family: thank God for the good in your life… and for the challenges that help you to learn true contentment. Ask the Holy Spirit to develop His worldview in you more and more, so you can be content under any circumstances.
Family with Small Children Discussion Guide
1. Power Verse
Galatians 6:9 “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”
What’s Up: “God Will Honor Those Who Do What’s Right!”
2. Discussion
This week, we start a brand new series called, “You Only Live Once”, or “YOLO.” We’re learning some important lessons about making our lives count! Since we only live once, we need to make sure we do our very best to honor God with our life and remain faithful to Him.
In the Bible Story this week, we learned from a man named Mordecai in the book of Esther. We learned from his example of caring for others, doing the right thing no matter what, and remaining faithful to God.
Q. What are some ways you can show others you care about them?
Q. What are some things you can do because they’re the right things to do, even though you may not enjoy doing them? (i.e. chores, school, etc.)
We should never grow tired from doing the right thing. Instead, we should stay faithful to God because, just at the right time, God will honor and bless our faithfulness.
3. Activity
Have your children do some of the things they discussed earlier when asked some ways they could show others they care about them. Perhaps, they could
write a card to someone, do a craft to give as a gift to someone, help clean something for someone, lighten someone’s load, or simply share kind words with someone who needs encouragement.
Because you’ve done these things, God said He’ll bless your faithfulness to Him and your faithfulness in doing the right thing no matter what!
4. Prayer Focus
Pray for your children to care for others and always do the right thing – no matter what. Pray, as they care for others and do right, God will honor their faithfulness.
