January 7 Care Group

We discussed the Beatitudes in Matthew 5.  Here is a summary:
-Being "poor in spirit" means that we trust God and do not feel pressured to make sure our lives go "our way."
-It also reminds us of our tremendous need of God and His power and presence in our lives.
-It's not ok to be self-dependent.  God is making us more and more humble.  We need Him more and more as we grow in Him.
-It pushes us to pray and seek God for all life situations, knowing our need.
-Success is not the issue it was when we were younger.  We want to finish well, not just chase after some worldly level of achievement.
-It makes us realize how valuable God's truth is and how many lies are fed to us by the world.
-The Beatitudes are filled with ways that we can grow, character we can achieve by God's grace.  They are relevant to our lives today.
-They are opposite of the world's values.
-This world tells our kids "You can be anything you want if you put your mind to it."  It's a lie!  What we really want is children who walk with God and love Jesus more than anything, putting His values and kingdom first in their lives.
-There is no room for arrogance, self-centeredness, and conceit in our lives.
-"Mourning" refers to times of suffering and we know that those times can leave scars on our souls.  Those scars remind us of bad times as they push us to God over and over to receive His comfort and a sense of His presence.
-"His grace is sufficient" takes on very real significance for those who mourn either their sin or a trial.
-We praise Him during times of blessing as well as times of suffering.

November 19 Care Group

Romans 12: 4-8 "For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.  Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them:  if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness."
We discussed how we see God blessing and encouraging us through people's gifts in the body.
-worship leaders
-gifts of service
-acts of mercy
-leaps of faith
-All these things are going on continuously in the body as God weaves His plan and pattern into us for our good and His glory.
-Whatever we do, do it for the glory of God.  Don't go to work for the money, serve others.
-It is such a blessing to watch servants in our church who have difficult lives of their own giving to others.
-"I just absolutely love people."  "I need my church!"
-God is weaving his body together beautifully as we function as a group.
-It's good for us to follow through when God puts things on our hearts to serve others.
Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
-When we worship we step away from our problems and into God's sanctuary, God's world, and remember how good and faithful God is.
-God inhabits the praises of His people.  It's so special when He showers His presence on us!
-We look forward to this awesome blessing, the prayers, the privilege of group praise.
-The preaching is so important for us to be sound in doctrine, to know what God's word says so our faith can be strong.
-It's so important that we give the word of God to each other in times of need, and at all times.

November 5 Care Group

We discussed the Sunday message from Proverbs about honoring God with our money.  Thanks for all your comments!
-It's good to remember how often God answers our prayers and has brought us through lean times.
-God will take care of the details when we obey Him.
-God provided needs for so many of us who had little money when we first got married, but we tithed and gave anyway in faith and trust.  God blessed our obedience and moved on our behalf.
-Proverbs 3: 9-10 - Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
-Everything we have belongs to Him!
-There is SO much joy in giving to others!
-God's word changes our hearts so we can focus on others and God's glory and not on our own selfish needs.
-We need faith to obey God's commands.
-Do we challenge ourselves to give generously of our time, energy, money and talents?
-Think about what we could be giving to the kingdom.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 - The point is this:  whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

October 23 Care Group

We started the evening with an Ice Breaker activity.  It was fun chatting and getting to know each other better.  Then we discussed what scriptures and concepts have helped us all as we have raised our children.
-It is NOT true that if we do "all the right things" with our children that their lives will be trouble-free.  We can't guarantee what their lives will be like.
-God is the Father of our children and they need Him just like we do.  They need His wisdom and reproof in their lives.
-It's not our job to judge our children's hearts, but only to give them the truth from God's word.  His word will do the needed work in their hearts.
-We must remember that God loves our children more than we do!