December 28

Welcome This week marks the first Sunday of our Advent season. Throughout this series we will be focusing on the ins and outs of our faith; specifically, our faith in practice. Our Core Competency throughout this series will be Hope. Opening Prayer During the opening prayer, take a moment to emphasis the greatness of true biblical hope; a hope firmly planted on the security of our salvation, Gods promise to never leave us nor forsake us, as well as our Saviors guarantee to return. These will ALWAYS be true regardless of our past, present or future circumstances.

Family Time A) Whats something that youve hoped for? (a certain Christmas present, to win a game or competition, not have to get a cavity filled(!), etc.) Do you always get what you hope for? (No...sometimes you dont, but you still hope for things, right?) If you have faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior, where will you go when you die? (heaven) Why do you believe this? (Because the Bible tells us.) Why should you believe (or have hope) in what the Bible says? (Because God always keeps His promises!) Thats where HOPE is found! B) Divide into groups & memorize the Core Competencies creed for Hope: I can cope with the hardships of life & with death because of the hope I have in Jesus Christ. Kids Time A) Play the Trust Fall game: kids close their eyes, cross their arms in front of them & fall straight back into the adults waiting arms. Let everyone have a go & then talk about the trust that it took to do that. You could do it because you had confidence that the adult behind you would keep his promise to catch you. Thats the kind of HOPE we have in God! B) Read Matthew 16:21 to the kids. Jesus told His disciples what was going to happen (EMPHASIS on His death & resurrection). Did these things happen to Jesus, just like He said they would? (Yes). Now read John 14:1-4. What did Jesus tell His disciples that He was going to do? (Go to His Fathers house, make rooms for them, come and get them to take them to be with Him). Has Jesus come back to take all Christians home to heaven yet? (No) Do you have HOPE that He will? Adult Time A) What are you hoping for right now in your life? Are these things that God has promised to fulfill in this life? Read Romans 5:3-5 & talk about the progression of this verse. (one thing leads to another until you arrive at HOPE.) Describe what makes this kind of hope so strong? (leader note: notice that our sufferings (of which we are to REJOICE in!) actually serve to remind us that our hope as Christians ultimately lies on the other side of this life/Christs return. To confirm this, read Hebrews 11:39). B) Discuss some of the pitfalls one might encounter by placing their hope/trust in God to resolve a situation or crisis according to my timetable, my desires. (it will harm ones faith and the faith of those around them, the character of God might be misrepresented or impugned (his TRUE goodness, faithfulness, keeper of ACTUAL promises, etc)). Prayer Time Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to your heart and mind anything you have been expecting God to do in a way counter to the promises in his word. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to your heart and mind, through Scripture, the places where my hope should truly rest (regardless of my circumstances).

Community Calendar PBC day at Mission Arlington Wednesday, December 12. Volunteers are needed in the Christmas Store to help people shop, stock toys and wrap gifts from 9:00 am-7:00 pm. Contact: Christi Guion 817-307-1985, cguion@amerigroupcorp.com Church Calendar The Oakcrest Family Church Angel Tree will begin this Sunday, December 2. Stop by the Lobby to sponsor one of the 550 children and return wrapped gifts Sunday, December 16. Contact: Fred Breese 817-478-1816, fredb@innovative51.com