"Home Improvements" - May 6, 2009

Family FX for May is going to be focused on planning and implementing home improvement projects for the summer of 2009. We are asking families to commit over the next few months to build well these four specific pillars in our homes:

1. Family Devotions


2. Family Prayer


3. Family on Mission


4. Church Family

"For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him." Genesis 18:19

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6

"These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:6-9

"But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15

"He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. They would not be like their forefathers—a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him." Psalms 78:5-8

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise— "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:1-4

" Being an On Mission Family" - April 29, 2009

Our Mission Trip as a Family to Mexico in 2007


Personalize Acts 1:8 for your family:

“But you (Your family’s name):__________________________
will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you (Your family’s name):__________________________
will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—
1. in Jerusalem (neighborhood):__________________________,
2. throughout Judea (Community, Tallahassee):__________________,
3. in Samaria (i.e.—Gadsden County, Miccosukee):_______________,
4. and to the ends of the earth ( i.e.—Indonesia, North Africa): __________________________________________________.”

Becoming an On Mission Family

STEP 1 Family Readiness Questions

1. What does it mean to be lost? What are the short and long term consequences of being lost?
2. What difference does prayer make in people’s lives? What are four specific requests we should pray for the lost?
3. According to John 14:15, what is the role of the Holy Spirit?
4. What are the commitments a Christian must make for relational evangelism?
5. Name three methods for sharing the gospel. Which ones would you be most comfortable using?

STEP 2 Family Applications

1. Develop a prayer journal for the lost. Be specific by including names of individuals, their specific needs, and for specific requests for overcoming their “lostness” (e.g. for their eyes to be opened). Monitor your journal regularly and praise God as the people accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord.
2. Write HOLY SPIRIT on the left side of a piece of paper. For each letter, fill in what the Holy Spirit does in people’s lives (e.g., hears our prayers, opens our eyes, etc.). Once complete, make these phrases prayers to God, thanking Him for sending us the Holy Spirit.
3. For each family member, look for ways to make sharing the gospel intentional in two current relationships.
4. Obtain three or four witnessing tracts. As a family, evaluate them and determine which ones your family would like to use. Brainstorm ways to distribute and use them (e.g., leave them with a tip at a restaurant).
5. Make preparing your testimony a family game. Using index cards and markers, write the following headings on the cards: “My life before Christ,” “How I realized my need for Christ,” “How I accepted Christ,” and “My life since Christ.” Each family member should have a set of four cards. Spend some time talking about each card, writing in appropriate details for that card . Next, mix up the cards and challenge the family to place them in the proper order. For a greater challenge, place the cards in an envelope and then switch cards. Family members are then arranging someone else’s testimony. Once they are in proper sequence, each family member should read the testimony.

STEP 3 Family Building Activities

1. Go on a journey to see the lost-shelters, crisis pregnancy centers, the inner city, a mall, an airport, the movies, and a city or state park. After the experience, answer these questions:
* What are some signs of “lostness” you saw (e.g., empty, searching eyes)?
* What were people doing to fill the void in their lives (e.g., shopping)?
* How could your family meet the physical and spiritual needs of the lost people you encountered?
2. Have testimony night over a bowl of popcorn or a pizza. Each family member prepares and delivers his or her testimony. Family members then help one another refine the testimonies to have the greatest impact. Be prepared for questions and concerns, as some family member might not have a testimony. In other words, they might realize during this activity that they have not accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord.

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Links to videos about On Mission Family opportunities:

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http://www.namb.net/site/c.9qKILUOzEpH/b.1342843/k.F363/Families_on_Mission.htm

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http://going.imb.org/volunteers/Step_1/family.asp