Lent Dinner Discussion Guide

Lent Dinner Discussion Guide

Why this guide?

"Being a parent is one of the most stressful, fun, messy beautiful, overwhelming, encouraging and difficult callings in the world. Every child in every family is unique, and raising kids is an endlessly challenging adventure. In this adventure, God has called parents to disciple their children to teach them to obey all that He has commanded and to see Christ formed in them (Matt. 28:20; Gal. 4:19)." (1) We believe that parents can have some of the greatest influence on their child's spiritual formation, which can feel daunting. But God has given us His Holy Spirit and the family of God, the church, to help us in the journey!

This guide is intended to be a resource toward that end - to help equip parents to see all of life as an opportunity to teach their children to know, love, and obey God. While discipleship involves intentionally setting aside time for practices that promote spiritual conversations and growth, we also believe that discipleship is taking the moments of day-to-day life and using them as an avenue to point people to Jesus - like the dinner table, for instance.

How does it work?

Inside you will find short readings, discussion questions and prayer focuses (modified in large part from John Piper's book Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came To Die) to use as your family sits around the dinner table together. If having dinner together is not a regular practice for your family, this could be the perfect time to start!

There will be reflections for each weekday of Lent (Wednesday, February 17th through Friday, April 2nd). Though the discussions are often connected to one another and work best when used consistently, they can also be used as stand-alones if families aren't able to use the guide every weekday.

The content is geared toward upper elementary school students and teens (4th-12th grade). The majority of the reflections will center around the reasons why Jesus came to die and the promises associated with His death and resurrection for all who put their faith in Him. There are also a few readings centered around Lent-specific themes.

At the end you will find resources to help you and your kids go deeper in your faith! *Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Parents, before you start...

First of all, we are excited that you are considering this resource - whether it's because you are wanting an intentional way to focus on the Lenten season as a family, because you are wanting a way to grow in family/home discipleship, or because of other reasons. We're thankful God has led you here!

Here are a few things to keep in mind before you begin: Your family might not be as excited about these conversations as you are, especially if this is a new practice. Ask God to give you wisdom to know how to present the idea and how to lead your family with love, patience and faithfulness.

We would advise previewing the content before sharing it with your kids. Some topics, such as "mortality," may require special sensitivity depending on the age or experience of your kids (ex. recent death in the family). You may decide to talk about it differently than we have presented in the guide, or you may decide to not talk about it at all depending on your family's situation.

We encourage using this as an opportunity to check in with your kids, no matter their age, about where they are spiritually. We cannot assume that just because a child was raised attending church gatherings or generally believing in God that they are truly bornagain disciples of Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom in these conversations to ask good, timely questions, and ask Him to open their hearts to honest, deep conversation about these topics!

We are in your corner! You are not on this journey alone. We would love to know how we can be praying with and practically supporting families, so feel free to reach out to the Next Gen staff or VPC pastors at any point for encouragement, prayer, questions, etc.

Next Gen Staff Contact Info: Melissa Ciavarella (Next Gen Director) - melissa.ciavarella@viennapres.org Terri Franke (Preschool Director) - terri.franke@viennapres.org Matt Sims (Childrens Ministries Senior Manager) - matt.sims@viennapres.org Pam Sellars (Childrens Ministries Manager) - pam.sellars@viennapres.org Heather Boehm (Childcare Manager) - heather.boehm@viennapres.org Tom Rho (Student Ministries Senior Manager) - tom.rho@viennapres.org Leah Cothran (Student Ministries Manager) - leah.cothran@viennapres.org

Table of Contents Date Any day Wednesday, 2/17 Thursday, 2/18 Friday, 2/19 Monday, 2/22 Tuesday, 2/23 Wednesday, 2/24 Thursday, 2/25 Friday, 2/26 Monday, 3/1 Tuesday, 3/2 Wednesday, 3/3 Thursday, 3/4 Friday, 3/5 Monday, 3/8 Tuesday, 3/9 Wednesday, 3/10 Thursday, 3/11 Friday, 3/12 Monday, 3/15 Tuesday, 3/16 Wednesday, 3/17 Thursday, 3/18 Friday, 3/19 Monday, 3/22 Tuesday, 3/23 Wednesday, 3/24 Thursday, 3/25 Friday, 3/26 Monday, 3/29 Tuesday, 3/30 Wednesday, 3/31 Thursday, 4/1 Friday, 4/2

Title Cross-Making Activity What is Lent & Ash Wednesday?

Mortality Freedom From the Fear of Death Forgiveness Reconciled to God The Ministry of Reconciliation Able to Live for Christ, Not Myself Adoption Freedom from Slavery to Sin Learning Obedience Obedience to the Point of Death Humble Love Holy, Blameless, and Perfect Righteousness Boasting Love & Grace for Sinners Every Tribe, Language, People and Nation Destroying Hostility Between Races People Zealous for Good Works The Present Evil Age Disarming Rulers & Authorities Marriage Bearing Fruit All Things That Are Good No Condemnation Access to the Holiest Place Worst Evil Turned to Good Rescued from Final Judgment Healing from Moral & Physical Sickness Eternal Life His Joy & Ours His Resurrection & Ours Good Friday

Table of Contents Appendix 1: What is the Gospel?

Appendix 2: What Does It Mean To Be a Disciple of Jesus?

Appendix 3: Resources for Family Discipleship Appendix 4: VPC Community Opportunities Notes

Cross-making activity Our God is the great Creator, and when we create, we are able to connect with Christ in a special way. Christ's commandment in Matthew 22:37 says: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself". If we are seeking to love the Lord with everything we are and with everything we do, then even something like making a cross can become an act of worship and bring glory to Him! You can make a cross even if you aren't super artistic! Here's some ideas on how to begin. Making a cross is basically a longer vertical piece with a shorter horizontal piece connected at the place they intersect. The size and materials are entirely up to you and your imagination!

Look around your home for items you can recycle or repurpose to use for your cross. Or, look for items in God's creation (like your backyard) to find things like twigs, leaves, stones, nuts, etc.

You can make your cross on a board or it can be free standing. Hang it on the wall or lay it on the table. Wherever you place it, make sure it's in a place that you and your family will see each day to help you reflect on Christ's sacrifice on the cross as you journey through this guide together.

We have a Kudoboard where you can share a picture of your cross with other families participating in VPC Lenten practices! Here's the link: https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/wfVJgQi7.

What is Lent & Ash Wednesday?

Wednesday, 2/17

You may have heard of Lent before. Maybe your friends at school or coworkers have mentioned giving up something for Lent. But what is it really about?

Lent is a six-and-a-half week period leading up to Easter that includes 40 days of fasting (excluding Sundays). This imitates Jesus’s 40 days of fasting and temptation in the wilderness before His public ministry began (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13). It also serves as a time for Christians to reflect on the sinfulness of humans – the very thing that led Jesus to die on the cross. The early church developed this practice, and many Christians continue to observe Lent even now.

Today is Ash Wednesday, and many Christians around the world gather on this day to worship and begin the Lenten season together. Sometimes they receive ashes on their foreheads in the shape of a cross to represent dust, and it serves as a reminder of our mortality.

What is mortality? And what do ashes have to do with it? Come together again around the dinner table tomorrow to learn more!

Family Discussion Questions: Why do you think it could be helpful to spend a month and a half leading up to Easter Sunday thinking about Christ's sacrifice?

Is there anything we want to fast from (give up) as a family during Lent to help us think more about our sin and Jesus’s sacrifice?

Is there anything we want to do individually?

Prayer: Ask God to help your family grow during Lent in understanding more about Jesus's sacrifice for the world on the cross.

mortality Thursday, 2/18

Yesterday, we talked about the fact that many Christians worship together on Ash Wednesday and receive a cross of ashes on their forehead (representing dust). We also talked about how one purpose of the Lenten season is to remind us of our mortality. So how do these fit together? “...then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being creature.” (Genesis 2:7) “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” (Genesis 3:19)

These Scriptures about dust fall on two sides of a tragedy.

The tragedy wedged in between these two Scriptures is a fatal choice made by the man created from dust, Adam, and his wife, Eve. Adam & Eve disobeyed God by eating of the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. As a result, sin entered the world. And with sin came physical death. This is what the second Scripture shows us – from dust we came, and because of sin, to dust we shall return.

So when Christians receive a cross of ashes on their foreheads, it reminds us of something solemn and important. One day, unless Jesus comes back first, we will all return to dust.

Death can be very hard to think and talk about. Thankfully, God doesn’t want His people to have a fear of death. But how is that possible? Come together over dinner tomorrow to find out!

Family Discussion Questions: Is it hard for you to think about death/dying? Why or why not?

Why is it important for us to talk about and understand death?

Prayer: Ask God to help your family have an appropriate understanding of the reality that death is a part of a sinful, broken world.

Ask Him to also help you grow in understanding the hope we can have in Jesus.

freedom from The fear of death Friday, 2/19

Yesterday's discussion was all about the concept of death, and though we recognize that it's not an easy topic to think and talk about, it is crucial to understanding why Jesus came to die.

“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, [Jesus] himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.” (Hebrews 2:14-15)

A slave is defined as “a person entirely under the domination of some influence or person” (2). Along with death, slavery is yet another sad reality in our broken world, and through the author of Hebrews, God uses the analogy of slavery to help us understand what the fear of death does to us. It makes us slaves – and not just slaves for a little while; slaves for life.

But this passage teaches us that Jesus has utterly destroyed death through His own death and resurrection! And those who repent of their sins and put their faith in Christ’s sacrifice are delivered from this fear of death. How? Because God has promised everlasting life with Him to those who have been saved from their sins. As Paul said in his letter to the Philippians - “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).

So those who have turned from their sin and put their faith in Christ have no reason to fear death - because through death, those who believe will enter into the presence of Jesus forever!

Family Discussion Questions: Is death something you're afraid of? Do you know why or why not?

Though God's people have been freed from the fear of death, we can be tempted to doubt God's promises about life after death. How can believers fight the temptation to be afraid of dying?

Prayer: Praise Jesus for defeating death!

If you do have this freedom from the fear of death, ask Him to help you remember this promise if you are tempted to fear. If you do not have this freedeom because you have not yet put your faith in Christ, ask God to reveal who Jesus is to you.

Forgiveness Monday, 2/22

“...for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." (Matthew 26:28) At the event we call the “Last Supper,” Jesus uses bread and wine to represent His body that would be broken and His blood that would be spilled the very next day. He tells His disciples that His blood will be poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. If you aren't familiar with the idea of sin, it is essentially the disobedience of God's commands - choosing our own way over God's way. Why was it necessary for Jesus to die so we could be forgiven of our sin?

If you are familiar with the Old Testament, you know that it tells the story of the Israelites, God’s chosen nation. Since God is perfectly holy and pure, and humans are absolutely sinful and stained, there needed to be a price paid so the Jew’s sins could be forgiven. So God instructed them to sacrifice animals as a way to make things right. Sins require payment!

Jesus, in bringing salvation to Jews and non-Jews, became like the lambs the Israelites used to sacrifice by shedding His own blood so we could be forgiven! Just like all humans throughout history, we are sinful and desperately in need of God’s grace. Our sins are so great that we couldn’t possibly make up for them. But God’s love is so much greater that He sent His only Son Jesus to shed His own blood and reconcile us to God. What does it mean to be reconciled? Come together over dinner tomorrow to find out!

Family Discussion Questions: Do you believe that your sins deserve punishment? Why or why not?

Do you have any questions about why Jesus needed to shed His blood so we can be forgiven? (*Maybe you can do some family research!)

Prayer: Thank God for His grace and mercy in making a way for us to be forgiven.

Reconciled to God Tuesday, 2/23

Have you ever had an argument or disagreement with someone that affected your relationship with them? Maybe you didn't talk to that person for a period of time because you just couldn't come to a place where one or both of you recognized wrong that was done. In that case, you would need to be reconciled. The definition of "reconcile" is to "to restore to friendship or harmony" (3). Whatever had caused the rift in the relationship is forgiven and made right. Let's look at the apostle Paul's letter to the Corinthian church to learn more about how Jesus reconciled us to God. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:17-21) Did you notice any repetition in this passage? The idea of being reconciled shows up five different times in three verses. This matters! In Romans 5, Paul says that we are enemies of God before we believe in Christ. Maybe we don't feel like we are His enemies. But remember what we talked about yesterday? Our sins separate us from Him and there is nothing we can do to fix it on our own. But because Christ died the death that we deserve for our disobedience to this holy God, those who put their faith in Him are in right relationship with him. Jesus restores friendly relationship between us, because our sins are forgiven once and for all. That's the BEST news!

Paul also mentions the "ministry of reconciliation." Come back together tomorrow to learn about this call for all believers in Jesus!

Family Discussion Questions: Have you ever seen yourself as an "enemy of God?" Why or why not?

What else do New Testament writers say about those who are enemies of God/Jesus? (hint: Google search "New Testament Scriptures about enemies of God" and see what you find!)

Prayer: Thank God for making a way for us to have a right relationship with Him through Jesus's sacrifice.

the ministry of reconciliation Wednesday, 2/24

Let's read the passage from yesterday again.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)

Once we have been reconciled to God through Jesus, we have a new life mission. Life isn't about going to a top university, getting the best job, having a family, earning a lot of money, or having a happy, comfortable life. Some of those things may or may not happen, but they certainly aren't the point anymore. God's children have something MUCH bigger to live for. We become God's ambassadors to go to other people who are still enemies of God and proclaim the Good News of salvation through Jesus!

Ambassadors are official representatives of a country. They travel to other places and speak on behalf of that nation to other nations. In a similar way, God's people become His ambassors to the world. As Paul shows us here, God makes His appeal to those who are far from Him through His people. The world doesn't just automatically know that they need to be reconciled to God. In fact, many believe the opposite - they believe that they are "good enough" (or at least aren't "that bad").They need someone to tell them that the only way to be saved and reconciled to God is by believing in all that Christ is and receiving His gift of grace!

This can often be difficult for a lot of us. We think people will be offended or that we'll come across as know-it-alls. We are afraid of rejection if people don't receive the message well. We think it's "someone else's job." Sadly, some of us are so busy and focused on our own goals that we have completely neglected our role as ambassadors for Jesus. Whatever the reason, let's come to God humbly, either to repent for the ways we haven't obeyed this command or to thank Him for the grace He has given to obey! And let's ask Him continually for help in the lifelong journey of following Him and proclaiming the Good News.

To learn more about what it means to live for this mission, come together tomorrow!

Family Discussion Questions: If you are a disciple of Jesus, have you ever thought that you are an ambassador for Christ?

Now that you know, does that encourage you to share the good news of Jesus with others?

Prayer: Ask God to show your family who in your lives is still an enemy of Him and who needs the message of reconciliation through Jesus. Pray that God will give you love for them and boldness to share the Good News so they might be reconciled to God!

Able to Live for Christ, Not Myself Thursday, 2/25

Yesterday, we talked about the fact that those who have put their faith in Christ now have a new life mission. We read God's instructions to His people through Paul to live as ambassadors of Christ, urging those who have not been saved from their sins to be reconciled to God. Just a few verses earlier, Paul addresses this idea of living with a new mission.

"For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." (2 Corinthians 5:14-15, NIV) Are you familiar with Paul's story of transformation? Check out Acts 9 to learn about his encounter with Christ, and you'll quickly see that his life turned upside down from that moment on! He had one goal in mind - to know Christ and to make Him known to the world (Philippians 3:8-11).

In this passage, God shows us that one effect of Christ's death is that now, we who believe are able to live not for ourselves anymore, but for the One who died for us. But what does that mean? Going to church services every Sunday? Being a kind, "good," moral person?

It means that our lives change direction entirely. Instead of thinking "What do I want for my life?" we ask, "God, what do YOU want for my life?" We search the Scriptures to learn more about who God is and how to obey Him, because His ways are better than our ways. We commit ourselves to a local church so we can obey God's call to take the journey of life with Jesus in community. We receive correction from spiritual leaders when we go astray. We use our jobs, families, recreation, rest, and everything else to enjoy God and make Him known to others. We depend on His strength in us for everything, because apart from Jesus, we can do nothing (John 15). We sacrifice what we think we need or want for what God calls us to, even it means greater suffering in this life and even when we don't understand. Like Paul, we live for one thing - the glory of Jesus in our lives!

Family Discussion Questions: Do a family inventory exercise. Discuss or map out where you as a family spend the most time, money, energy and affection. (Consider creating a pie chart as a visual that everyone can contribute to) Do a personal inventory. Evaluate the same things on an individual level.

Discuss what you discover and prayerfully consider action steps the Holy Spirit is leading you to!

Prayer: Ask God to show your family any blind spots - any areas that are not submitted to the lordship of Jesus. If He does, confess and repent and receive the forgiveness of Christ!

Ask Him to grow the love of Christ in you so that love compels you to this whole-life mission.

Adoption Friday, 2/26

"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3:1-2) "[Jesus] came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:11-13) "In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved." (Ephesians 1:4b-6)

In these passages, both Paul and John help us understand yet another precious promise for those who put their faith in Jesus - we become part of God's family! God becomes our Father, and we become His child.

In the Ephesians passage we see that the way we become children of God is through adoption. For those who aren't familiar with the concept of adoption, sometimes a birth parent is unable to care for their child for various reasons, so they make the decision to look for another family to care for their child. That family adopts the child into their family, and the child then becomes a permanent member of that family.

Adoption is a great picture of what God does because in adoption, parents choose the child to adopt. Likewise, God chooses whom He adopts into His family. And God knows everything about the people He adopts - all the good and the bad. Pastor Tim Keller writes that "The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope" (4). God knows exactly how much wrong we do, yet chooses to make us His children. This is amazing grace.

Family Discussion Questions: Look up other Scriptures about believers being children of God/adopted.

Have you ever heard someone say "we are all children of God" when talking about the human race? How do these passages help us understand who are really God's children?

Prayer: Thank God for not only saving us, but for inviting us into His family.

If you are not yet a child of God, ask Him to help you understand and believe the good news!

freedom from slavery to sin Monday, 3/1

"What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. (Romans 6:1-7) Remember our conversation about slavery in the first week of Lent? Apparently we are slaves to more than just the fear of death - apart from Christ, we are also slaves to sin. As a reminder, a slave is “a person entirely under the domination of some influence or person� (5). So someone who is a slave to sin is someone that doesn't have the power to overcome sin. Without Jesus, we are stuck in it.

In his letter to the Romans, Paul shows us a powerful picture of what baptism represents for believers. Just like Jesus died on the cross, we also die - but not on a cross. Paul is saying that our old selves die, the selves that were slaves to our sinful desires. And as Christ rose again on the third day, we are raised out of our old, dead lives to live as new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)! With the power of the Holy Spirit living in us, we aren't slaves to sin anymore. We are able to overcome and say no! But not because of our own willpower or determination. Often, we still fail and have to come to God for forgiveness. Clearly, willpower isn't enough. But because of God's power at work in us, we are able to say no to sin in a way we weren't able to before we were saved. That's an awesome promise!

Family Discussion Questions: Why would we want to become free from being slaves to sin? (Check out Romans 6:23, Isaiah 59:2 and Proverbs 14:12) Is there a sin that you feel enslaved to? It may even be something that seems "small," like complaining or gossiping. Look for Scriptures that speak about this sin.

Prayer: Thank Jesus for the fact that His death and resurrection makes a way for us to not be slaves to sin anymore.

If anyone confessed a sin they feel enslaved to, ask God to show that person ways that they can fight against temptation in His power (perhaps using the Scriptures you found).

learning obedience Tuesday, 3/2

"Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered."

(Hebrews 5:8) Does it seem a bit strange to you that we're talking about Jesus, the Lord and Savior of the world, having to be obedient? And why would He have to learn obedience if He is God? To "obey" is "to comply with or follow the commands, restrictions, wishes, or instructions of" (6). In His life on earth, Jesus lived as fully God and fully man, a mystery we will never understand. His aim was to do His Father's will (John 4:34, 6:38, 14:31). He didn't come with His own agenda. He stayed in close fellowship with His Father and did only what the Father instructed Him. A lot of us learn obedience by first disobeying. Our parents tell us to go clean our rooms, and then we don't. With that disobedience comes a consequence, and that consequence teaches us to obey in the future. So does this mean that Jesus learned obedience because He disobeyed God? We know from 1 Peter 2:22 that Jesus never sinned. So learning obedience for Him didn't mean "to stop disobeying. It means that with each new trial he learned in practice - and in pain - what it means to obey" (7). He did whatever the Father instructed Him to do.

This kind of wholehearted, every-moment obedience isn't easy. It is costly.

Come back tomorrow to discuss what Jesus's obedience to the Father's will led to!

Family Discussion Questions: Have you ever thought of Jesus having to be learn obedience?

In His day-to-day life, do you think it was easy for Jesus to obey all the time? (Check out Hebrews 4:15) Prayer: Thank Jesus for coming to the earth and showing us what it looks like to live completely submitted to God's will in perfect obedience.

Ask Him to help you as individuals and as a family to grow in wholehearted obedience to the Father's will in every area of your lives.

obedience to the point of death Wednesday, 3/3

Yesterday we talked about Jesus learning obedience. It's one thing to be obedient when the task or request is easy. Go put my shoes away? Sure. Take the garbage out? Got it. No more sweets today? Um.....ok.

But what about when the task is hard? When God's Word forbids lying and cheating, and obedience would mean getting a worse grade on an assignment you didn't prepare well for? What about when gossip is spreading like wildfire about a coworker in your office, and obedience would mean resisting the urge to engage and possibly appearing offensive or self-righteous to those who are spreading it? What then?

What about when someone threatens your life if you don't renounce your faith in Christ? Do you still obey even then? We live in a country where this last example doesn't happen often, but it helps us understand that obedience to God's will isn't always as easy as taking out the trash. Sometimes it means doing something that involves pain and rejection. Let's see how far Jesus's obedience went.

"And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." (Philippians 2:8) Jesus was in agony in the Garden of Gethsemane before his arrest and crucifixion. He essentially asked the Father to deliver Him from having to go to the cross. But even as He asked, He submitted Himself to obey whatever God would choose to do (Luke 22:42). Obedience for Him meant continuing on to suffer immensely and give His life on the cross. It was God's will that Jesus make a way for our salvation, so Jesus willingly offered Himself up even though it was the hardest thing anyone could ever do. Praise Him for this amazing gift!

Family Discussion Questions: Has there ever been a time when you obeyed when it was hard, and you are thankful you did? What happened?

Why do you think obedience to God can lead to suffering?

Do you think it is fair that we should suffer? Why or why not?

Prayer: Thank Jesus for choosing obedience when it wasn't easy so we could be saved.

Ask for His help to obey His Word no matter the cost.

humble love Thursday, 3/4

"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." (Philippians 2:5-8) Does that last verse sound familiar? We looked at that one yesterday in discussing how Jesus's obedience wasn't easy - it came with a cost. If we look a few verses earlier, we see that this statement is part of an instruction that Paul is giving to the Christians in Philippi. He tells them that they are to have the same mindset as Christ had when He came to the earth - the attitude of humility and service to others.

The verb "to humble" means "to lower in condition, importance, or dignity" (8).

Sometimes we are humbled by people or circumstances. Other times, however, we have the opportunity to choose to humble ourselves. In a world that promotes elevating ourselves, sometimes it's hard to understand why we would willingly lower ourselves for others.

But as we look to Jesus, we see the beauty of humble love. He left His throne in heaven to be born to a young couple in a stable. He willingly took on human flesh and came to a world full of brokenness. He didn't have to - He chose to.

And Paul instructs believers in Jesus to have that same mindset in our relationship to the people around us. After Jesus changes our hearts, we are able to express this kind of love that isn't self-seeking, but looking to the interests of others (Philippians 2:4).

Family Discussion Questions: Think together about Jesus, the Lord and Creator of the universe, humbling Himself in the way He did. What do you think about it? What questions do you have?

What would it practically look like to "humble ourselves" for others?

Prayer: Thank Jesus for being willing to leave the comforts and glories of heaven to come to a broken world, to suffer, and die so we could be saved.

Ask Him to make you aware of opportunities He is giving you to show this kind of humble love to someone this week.

Holy & blameless Friday, 3/5

"And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister." (Colossians 1:21-23) "For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified."

(Hebrews 10:14) In this passage from Paul's letter to the Colossian church, he reminds them of their pre-Christ state. They were alienated (or "isolated") from God's people, they were opposed to God, and they did evil. But through His death, Christ reconciled them God so that He could present His people to the Father as holy, blameless, and above reproach.

Think about it - how else could we approach God except to be holy and blameless? He is perfectly holy, righteous, loving and just. Sin is everything opposite of that. So if we tried to come to him with even a speck of sin present, we would be unworthy.

The only way we as sinful humans could possibly be presented to God and live is if we were perfect. And because there was no way for us to achieve this on our own, Christ lived a perfect life and died a death He didn't deserve so that His perfection could be ours - so that God could look on us and not see the stains of countless sins, but the purity, perfection, holiness and righteousness of His own Son. This doesn't mean that we stop trying to pursue holy living because we know that we are already holy in God's eyes. No, we press on day by day to grow in holiness and obedience with the assurance that even when we fail, our imperfections are covered by Christ's perfection.

Family Discussion Questions: Do you ever feel like you have to be perfect for God to love you?

How does Jesus's work on the cross help those who have put their faith in Him to release the pressure to be perfect?

Prayer: Thank Jesus for living the perfect life we could never live on our behalf.

If you have never repented and put your faith in Christ's work through His life, death and resurrection, consider doing that now! (See Appendix 1 & 2)

righteousness Monday, 3/8

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:17-21) You might be thinking, "Haven't we already read this passage two times already?" If you are thinking that, you would be correct! In the second week of Lent, we considered how believers in Jesus have been reconciled to God and now have the ministry of reconciliation to help others be reconciled to God. However, we didn't talk about the last verse.

What does it mean to be righteous? To be righteous means "acting in accord with divine or moral law; free from guilt or sin" (9). Essentially it means to be "right" with God. We've talked a lot in this Lent guide about the fact that this is impossible on our own. Our sin separates us from God, and we can't be perfect enough or do anything to earn His forgiveness.

In this passage, God shows us through Paul that Jesus "knew no sin," meaning He never once gave in to the temptation to sin. But for our sake, he became sin, meaning He took on the punishment for our sins on the cross. And he did this so that we could become the righteousness of God. There it is again - the awesome promise that those who repent and put their faith in Christ have right standing before God. Again, does this mean we automatically become sinless once we believe? Of course not!

But it does mean that God sees us as righteous because of what Christ did on our behalf.

And we now have the ability to grow in overcoming sin through God's power at work in us (Galatians 5:16).

This is the good news that we need to be reminded of every single day, and this is the good news that leads us to praise and worship of the one, true God that poured out mercy and grace for undeserving people like you and I! Family Discussion Questions: Do you think it's important to think and talk about what Jesus has done every day? Why or why not?

Prayer: Thank Jesus for becoming sin for us so that we could become the righteousness of God by putting our faith in Him. Spend a few minutes considering if there are any sins you need to confess and repent of individually or as a family.

boasting Tuesday, 3/9

"See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Galatians 6:11-14) Here we have Paul again, this time writing to the Galatian church about the idea of boasting. Boasting is similar to bragging, and many Jewish people boasted in all the ways they had kept the Law of God and were therefore "righteous." Paul himself used to think this way (see Philippians 3).

However, when Christ came, He turned things upside down. Suddenly, it wasn't about keeping the Law perfectly to be righteous before God. The only thing that could make people righteous was faith in Jesus and what He did for the world through His life, death and resurrection.

How could we possibly brag about ourselves when we realize that everything we are and everything we have is ONLY because of Jesus? We can take no credit - only Jesus deserves the glory!

Family Discussion Questions: Do you ever find yourself thinking how "good" you are compared to others? If yes, that is pride. How can you guard against being prideful?

What Scriptures can you think of in the moments when you are tempted to take credit for what Jesus has done in your life?

Prayer: If God showed you that you have been having prideful thoughts, take the time to confess and repent. Ask Him to help you recognize in the moment when those prideful thoughts creep in so you can turn your attention to Jesus and give Him thanks for all He has done in you and for you!

love & grace for sinners Wednesday, 3/10

"For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die — but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:6-8) Pastor John Piper claims that "the measure of God's love for us is shown by two things.

One is the degree of his sacrifice in saving us from the penalty of our sin. The other is the degree of unworthiness that we had when he saved us" (10).

In the passage above, Paul describes how humans would act if we were presented with Jesus's choice of dying for others. The apostle John tells us, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends" (1 John 15:13). It's the greatest act of love to lay down your life for someone.

Think of the nicest person you know - the person in your life that no one can say anything bad about. What if there was an opportunity for you to save their life by giving yours? I imagine the thoughts in your head going like this: "I mean, if anyone deserves to be sacrificed for, it's this person. They are constantly giving their time, money and energy for others. They are never mean. They treat people with respect. But, give my life? I don't know..."

Now think of someone you might consider your "enemy." The irritating co-worker that never seems to have a nice word to say. The person at school who makes fun of you.

What if there was an opportunity for you to save their life? Maybe your thoughts go like this: "No WAY am I giving my life for them. What have they done to deserve it? All they do is put people down and do what is best for themself. Not a chance."

Even if your thoughts weren't exactly like these examples, this is the idea Paul is getting at in Romans. He is trying to help us understand how different God's love is than ours. We as humans would hardly be willing to die for a "good" person. But Christ was willing to die for sinners like us! People who are completely unworthy of grace. This is amazing love!

Family Discussion Questions: Would you have had similar thoughts if someone asked you to lay down your life for either a friend or an enemy?

How does the love of Christ help us to look at others who seem to be "unlovable"?

How could that change how we treat them?

Prayer: Thank Jesus for His extravagant love that pursued us when we were unlovable and unworthy!

Ask God to help you love others in this way, especially those that feel like "enemies."

Every tribe, people & nation Thursday 3/11

"And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.'" (Revelation 5:9-10) The scene is Revelation 5 is a striking one. The apostle John, the same one who described the greatest kind of love in yesterday's discussion, is now describing a vision he had of heaven. There is a glorious throne, brilliant colors, and creatures worshipping. Twenty-four elders see the Lamb that was slain, which is Jesus, and they sing the new song above. This song shows us something incredibly important - the fact that Christ died for every people group in the world.

Pastor John Piper comments on this passage and shares that "Christ died to save a great diversity of peoples. Sin is no respecter of cultures. All peoples have sinned. Every race and culture needs to be reconciled to God" (11).

It can be very easy to get stuck in our Western, American bubble and forget that the good news is for all people all around the world! This is why we send believers to other parts of the world - Jesus has sheep in every people group on the globe, and as ambassadors for Him, we are to take the good news so all have the opportunity to be reconciled to God through Christ!

Family Discussion Questions: Have you ever sung a worship song in another language?

Consider doing some research as a family about how Christians worship in other cultures around the world (check out https://www.imb.org/2019/12/10/christian-worship-around-world/).

Prayer: Thank God that salvation isn't just for the people of Israel anymore, but it is offered to people of every tribe, tongue and nation.

Pray that God would send believers to the places in the world that need the gospel (Matthew 9:38).

destroying hostility between races Friday, 3/12

"Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called 'the uncircumcision' by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands — remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility." (Ephesians 2:11-16) In this letter to the Ephesians, Paul lets us know that the Christians in Ephesus are Gentiles, which was the name for anyone that wasn't a part of God's chosen nation of Israel. There was a lot of animosity between Jews and Gentiles throughout history. We can see through this that the racial tensions we experience today are not new - they have existed around the world for many years.

Even after believing in Christ and being saved, it took a while for some Jewish Christians to really understand what Christ had done in making peace between Jews and Gentiles. Many of them likely grew up being told by their Jewish community to stay away from "those Gentiles." The hostility was real. Though Christ broke down the dividing wall through His death and made a way for both Jews and non-Jews to be saved, it was hard for many Jews to really live into that reality.

As we consider the ongoing conversation on race relations in America, we can look at Paul's words to the Ephesians and be reminded that Christ died to bring people of different races together through Him. Like the early Jewish Christians, some of us will have to search our hearts and see if we are harboring any negatives thoughts, attitudes or actions against people of different races or other people groups.

Family Discussion Questions: How do you think you would react if you were a Jew that had been taught your whole life that a group of people was essentially your enemy, then you believed in Christ and now you're being told that there is peace and unity with that same group of people?

Is there another race or people group that you feel hostility towards? If so, why do you think that is?

Prayer: Thank Jesus for dying on the cross so we, as Gentiles, could receive the free gift of salvation.

If you have something against people of other races, confess that to God and ask Him to change your heart.

people zealous for good works Monday, 3/15

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works." (Titus 2:11-14) The question of how our "works" play into salvation is one that must be understood clearly for us to truly grasp the free gift of grace. Multiple passages of Scripture teach and remind us that we are not saved because of the "good" things we do (2 Timothy 1:9; Ephesians 2:89). And yet, Scripture is also abundantly clear that good works will be a part of the life of a true Christian.

In Ephesians, God shows His people that "we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10). James 2:14-26 goes as far as to say that faith without works is dead" (James 2:16, emphasis mine).

So when we talk about the good works we do, we must remember that they do not earn anything from God, but rather "Christ suffered and died so that good works would be the effect, not the cause, of our acceptance" (12). Works are the fruit of faith. What's interesting is that God doesn't expect that we will execute good works merely out of duty. Our passage shows us that Christ gave himself to purify people who are zealous for good works. People who have great enthusiasm for serving others and pursuing justice.

This isn't something we can just muster up out of willpower. We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19), so our zeal must come from a life of growing in the knowledge of Jesus's love (Ephesians 3:19) and the desire for God's glory (Matthew 5:16).

Family Discussion Questions: Can you think of a time when you were genuinely excited about serving others? Was your excitement about you doing a "good deed," or was it about glorifying the name of Jesus?

Would you say you are "zealous" for good works? Why or why not?

Prayer: Ask God to grow you in understanding His grace in Christ and produce in you a zeal for good works and for His glory!

The present evil age Tuesday, 3/16

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen."

(Galatians 1:3-5) I'm sure it's interesting to read this opening statement from Paul's letter to the Galatians and then consider the world around us. If Jesus gave himself for our sins so we could be delivered from the present evil age, then why are Christians still living in a world that is obviously still full of evil?

Let's look at a prayer Jesus prayed for His disciples before He was crucified. "I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one" (John 17:15). Why does He need to pray that prayer? John tells us in his epistle that "the whole world lies in the power of the evil one" (1 John 5:19). Satan, the evil one, has been given freedom to rule in this age, and he is blinding the minds of unbelievers so they can't see the glory of Jesus's gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4). We live in a world where Satan deceives and leads people far away from God as they pursue the passions of their flesh.

But those who have received the gift of salvation are delivered from this present evil age. That means God has taken the blinders off of our eyes. We have seen the glory of the gospel of Christ. He has given us new hearts and made us new creations. We are no longer slaves of corruption (2 Peter 2:19) and we can overcome sin and Satan through God's power and the weapons He has given us (Ephesians 6).

We live with the hope that one day the power of Satan will be taken away forever and we will be with God eternally in a new creation (Revelation 20:7-10; Revelation 21 & 22)!

Family Discussion Questions: Was any of this surprising to you? If so, what? Why was it surprising?

Look into any of the Scriptures or concepts mentioned to gain deeper understanding.

Prayer: Thank Jesus for giving Himself so we could be delivered from this present evil age.

Ask God to help you know how to use the weapons He has given so you can take your stand against schemes of the enemy (Ephesians 6).

disarming rulers & authorities Wednesday, 3/17

"And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him." (Colossians 2:13-15) "Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil."

(1 John 3:8) When we think of "rulers" and "authorities," often rulers of human governments come to mind. In the first passage, however, that's not what Paul is talking about. He is referring to "the demonic powers that afflict the world" (13). Paul mentions these kinds of "rulers" again in Ephesians as he warns the believers in Ephesus that their battle isn't with flesh and blood (i.e. humans), "but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12).

The word "Satan" means "accuser" or "adversary." To accuse is "to charge with a fault or offense" (14). One of Satan's weapons against us is to point his finger in our faces and remind us of our guilt. And the truth is, we are guilty. All of us have sinned. So how does Jesus fit into all of this?

Let's look at it this way. What might a soldier do when an enemy has weapons to use against them? They might try to disarm the enemy, which means to remove their "arms," or weapons, so the enemy has nothing to use for an attack.

When Christ came and died on the cross, that's exactly what He accomplished for His people. He "disarmed" Satan by forgiving us of our guilt! So even if Satan tries to accuse God's people, it cannot stand because we are completely forgiven. These evil rulers and authorities still exist, and we still have to wrestle with them. But those who are saved can have the assurance that Christ has already defeated them through His death, so the weapons they try to use cannot ultimately defeat us.

Family Discussion Questions: Have you thought about Satan having so much power to bring evil into our lives?

Why is it necessary to know that spiritual forces of evil are at work in the world?

How can God's word equip us to fight them?

Prayer: Thank Jesus for disarming the evil rulers and authorities of this world.

Ask God to help you to grow in understanding how to stand against the schemes of the enemy (Ephesians 6:11

marriage Thursday, 3/18

"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. 'Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband." (Ephesians 5:25-33) This comparison of Jesus and His church to husbands and wives is such an important picture of His covenant love for His people. Scripture gives us other pictures of Jesus as the husband and the church as the bride (Revelation 19:7-9, Revelation 21:9). It also gives marriage in this life a much deeper meaning than we see in the world around us.

In movies and TV shows, marriage can be portrayed in many ways. Sometimes the husband and wife are head-over-heels in love, and other times there is a lot of misery. A prominent message, though subtle at times, is that marriage is about making you happy. Finding someone who will "complete you." It is incredibly self-centered and dangerous. What happens when that person changes? What happens when they fail you? What happens when they no longer make you happy? Then what?

Marriage, in fact, is supposed to be a picture that reflects Christ's love for His bride, the church. That kind of love isn't self-seeking. It doesn't give up or run away when things get hard - it leans in. It sacrifices for the sake of the beloved, as Christ gave His life on the cross for the church.

This is a beautiful promise to believers. Not only do we have the call to this kind of love, but Christ has given us the power to love this way through His Holy Spirit at work in us. May our marriages reflect the love of Jesus for his church more and more as we submit ourselves to Him! Family Discussion Questions: As you think about marriage, what do you see as its purpose? Is your idea similar to what Paul describes here, or different?

What questions do you have about marriage?

Prayer: Thank Jesus for His unfailing love to His bride, the church. Thank Him that He never gives up on us even when we fail.

Husbands and wives, pray for one another. Ask God to help you pursue this kind of Christ-like love for one another. Pray that all of you will grow in understanding God's design for marriage.

bearing fruit Friday, 3/19

"Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code." (Romans 7:4-6) The New Testament uses the picture of "bearing fruit" often, and it helps us understand what should be happening in the life of someone who has been made a new creation in Christ. Picture an apple tree. If it is healthy, receiving water, sunlight and nutrients, in the right time of the year, it will produce apples. Makes sense, right?

It's the same idea for believers in Jesus. God shows us over and over again that there are certain "fruits" we can expect to see as a result of a healthy "tree," which is someone walking with Jesus.

In Romans, Paul describes the old fruit we used to bear. When we were living in our flesh and living as slaves to sin, we produced fruit for death. Because all sin leads to death (Romans 6:23) , there is no other fruit that living in sin could produce.

But when we repent and put our faith in Christ, Paul says we belong to Him so that we can bear fruit for God. Our thoughts, words, and actions become evidence that God is working in us. Jesus described letting our light shine before others, not so that we can get glory and be admired, but so that people can see our good deeds and give glory to our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16)!

In Galatians, Paul lists other "fruit" that we should see in those that are saved and have the Holy Spirit living in them - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control (Galatians 5). We see in John 15 that we can produce this kind of "fruit" only as we "abide" or "remain in" Jesus. As we stay close to Him - growing in knowledge and holiness by studying and obeying His Word, praying continually, and being in community with other believers - we will see this fruit being produced in us! Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing.

Family Discussion Questions: What are other "fruits" we can expect in the life of a Christian? (Try a Google search!)

How would you describe what it means to "abide" in Jesus in your own words?

Would you say you are abiding in Him and bearing the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5? If not, consider why. Also consider what specifically you can ask Him to help you grow in so you can truly abide in Him (prayer, Scripture study/memorization, church community, etc.)

Prayer: Ask Jesus to help you to abide in Him so you can produce fruit that glorifies Him. Ask Him to lead you to people and/or resources that you can learn from.

All things that are good Monday, 3/22

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:31-32) Romans 8 is jam-packed with encouragement and promises for God's people. If you haven't read it in a while, take a few minutes soon to read through it!

As the chapter comes to a close, Paul encourages believers with the promise that "if God did the hardest thing of all - namely, give up his own Son to suffering and death - then it is certain that he will do the comparatively easy thing, namely, give us all things with him" (15).

But we have to be careful here. When we read "all things," we can be tempted to think, "That means God will give me everything I want!" If we look at the rest of Scripture, though, we will see very clearly that this is not what God is saying to His people. He is not promising to give us everything we desire or to make our lives easy and comfortable.

Even a few verse down after this passage, Paul says that he and others "are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered" (Romans 8:36). That certainly isn't easy or comfortable! So what is God telling His children?

He is promising us that He will give us "all things that we really need in order to be conformed to the image of his Son (Romans 8:29). All things we need in order to attain everlasting joy" (16). There is another promise Scripture gives us that is similar: "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).

This is great hope for those in the world who love Jesus but have felt needs that are unmet.

Sometimes following Jesus means being hungry, thirsty, persecuted and in great danger (2 Corinthians 11:23-33). But we have hope that no matter what circumstance we are in, "God will meet every real need, including the ability to rejoice in suffering...The suffering and death of Christ guarantee that God will give us all things that we need to do his will and to give him glory and to attain everlasting joy" (17).

Family Discussion Questions: Is there anything in your life that you have expected God to give you? Maybe continual access to food and clean water, lots of friends, acceptance to your top college, a trip to Disney world, a steady income, health, someone to marry, or safety from harm?

Is it surprising to you that we are not necessarily guaranteed all of these comforts in life?

How does Jesus's victory on the cross enable us to live for God's glory even when we don't have all of the things we think we need?

Prayer: Ask God to give you everything you need to do His will.

Thank God for the amazing, undeserved blessings He has given you and your family.

no condemnation Tuesday, 3/23

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death."

(Romans 8:1-2) "Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us." (Romans 8:33-34) To condemn is "to give grounds or reason for convicting or censuring; to pronounce to be guilty; sentence to punishment" (18). We have talked repeatedly in this guide about the necessity of punishment for our sins against God. It's a fact we shouldn't soon forget, especially as we still face temptation to continue to give in to the very sins that have separated us from God. Sin against a holy God is no small matter. It's a matter of eternal importance.

When Paul encourages the Romans with the fact that there isn't condemnation anymore for those who are in Christ, he's saying that "condemnation is gone not because there isn't any, but because it has already happened" (19). God didn't just erase the need for punishment. If He did, He wouldn't be just. Instead, He provided a substitute in our place. So Jesus receive the condemnation we deserved, and because of that, now no one can condemn us for our sins!

The world will try to condemn us, no doubt. In some parts of the world, condemnation involves violence and suffering. But we have the guarantee that "if they reject us, he accepts us. If they hate us, he loves us. If they imprison us, he sets our spirits free. If they afflict us, he refines us by the fire. If they kill us, he makes it a passage to paradise. They cannot defeat us. Christ has died. Christ is risen. We are alive in him. And in him there is no condemnation" (20).

Family Discussion Questions: What are ways the world tries to condemn believers/disapprove of who we are in Christ?

How does this promise from Romans equip us to handle condemnation from others?

Prayer: Thank Jesus again for receiving our condemnation so we could be free from it!

Ask God to help you to stand firm in this promise when others try to bring condemnation to you.

access to the holiest place Wednesday, 3/24

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." (Hebrews 10:19-22) When God brought the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, He gave them instructions to build an elaborate tent called the "tabernacle." Later, God instructed King Solomon to build a permanent temple for His presence to dwell in. Both of these structures had sections within them that only certain priests were allowed to enter, and only at certain times of the year. For example, only the high priest could enter the most holy place, which is where God's glory appeared, once a year on the Day of Atonement.

Here's the thing: sin and holiness do not mix. So the priest had to follow very detailed instructions about what to wear and how to offer sacrifices in a way that pleased God. The sins of the people had to be atoned for by blood for the priests to be able to enter into the most holy place of God's presence and not die.

In a similar way that animal blood made atonement for the sins of Israel so they could approach God, Jesus's blood makes a way for us to enter the "most holy place." This place isn't a physical location like it was at the time these structures were built, but He made a way for us to be cleansed of our sins so we can approach God in relationship with confidence. If we tried to approach God by doing good works and being a "good person," we would never be able to do it. Only the righteousness of Jesus Himself is enough to stand before a holy God. And that is exactly what He offers to all who would repent and believe!

Family Discussion Questions: In a study Bible or internet search, look up a model of the tabernacle.

Did you know that these Old Testament practices were actually foreshadowing what Jesus would do through His death and resurrection?

Prayer: Thank Jesus for being the only sacrifice that was sufficient to give us confident access to this holy God.

worst evil turned for good Thursday, 3/25

"...For truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place." (Acts 4:27-28) One of the biggest questions we wrestle with as humanity is "Why is there evil and suffering in the world?" We might go even further to ask "Where did evil come from?"

They are good, valid questions to be considering; however, if we search the Scriptures, we don't necessarily find all the answers to these questions.

As much as we want to know more, "the heart of the Bible is not an explanation of where evil came from, but a demonstration of how God enters into it and turns it for the very opposite - everlasting righteousness and joy" (21).

Jesus wasn't the first person for which God turned evil for good. All throughout history, God has been weaving a story that includes suffering turning to triumph.

Remember Joseph? He was sold into slavery by his brothers, falsely accused by his master's wife, and put in prison for years. Hardship followed him around every corner.

And yet, God opened a door at just the right time for him to come into power in Egypt and save the nation from famine. Not only the nation, but his own family! Joseph told his brothers "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." (Genesis 50:20) The greatest example of evil turned for good is the cross. Jesus was perfectly innocent, yet suffered the most cruel treatment. It was the worst evil that could happen. Yet through it, God brought unspeakable good for us - our redemption and eternal life with Him! Family Discussion Questions: What are ways you've seen God turn bad things for good in your life?

How can this encourage us when we're experiencing suffering?

Prayer: Thank God that suffering in this life isn't wasted or purposeless.

If you are walking through a time of suffering or experiencing evil, ask God to turn it for God and to help you glorify Him through it.

rescued from final judgment Friday, 3/26

"And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him." (Hebrews 9:27-28) Often we think of salvation as a one-time thing. We think that once we understand God's grace in Christ and believe in what Jesus has accomplished, we are saved. But interestingly, the New Testament shows us a salvation that is past, present, and future.

Past: "By grace you have been saved through faith (Ephesians 2:8) Present: "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18) Future: "Salvation is nearer to us now that when we first believed." (Romans 13:11) It is always by the death of Christ that we are saved, no matter which stage of salvation. During this present time, "the death of Christ secures the power of God's Spirit to save us progressively from the domination and contamination of sin. And in the future, it will be the blood of Christ, poured out on the cross, that protects us from the wrath of God and brings us to perfection and joy" (22).

To understand this precious promise for protection from future wrath, we must understand what Scripture reveals about future judgment of the world. Paul tells the Thessalonians that Jesus will be "revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might..." (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).

This is a shocking picture for many of us. And yet this is a loving warning (among others in Scripture) about the wrath to come. Jesus has offered forgiveness, but not all will receive it.

Many people will reject Him and remain in their sin, and they will not be covered by His blood when the time for judgment comes.

But those who repent and put their faith in Jesus have the assurance that in the time of judgment, as our passage says, He will save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Family Discussion Questions: Did you know that there would be a final judgment?

What is your reaction to it?

Does this increase your urgency to share the good news of Jesus with unbelievers? Why or why not?

Prayer: Pour out your hearts to God as a family. Whatever you are processing about this message of future judgment, bring it to God in prayer.

healing from moral & physical sickness Monday, 3/29

"But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed."

(Isaiah 53:5) "That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: 'He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.'" (Matthew 8:16-17) When God created the universe, He said that it was good. There was "shalom," perfect peace and wholeness. Death and disease were not in this good world. But then, sin came through Adam and Eve, and with sin came these two miserable realities with it. Creation is groaning as it waits for redemption (Romans 8), and we are groaning as we continue to experience the effects of sin,sickness and physical death.

However, in Christ we have hope that we are forgiven of our sin, and "all this misery of disease is temporary. We look forward to a time when bodily pain will be no more" (23).

Jesus's mission in coming to the world was to bring redemption, and we saw a foretaste of this in the fact that He healed many people of their physical illnesses during His public ministry (Matthew 8:16, Luke 6:19).

Pastor John Piper comments on the Isaiah passage above and says that "the way Christ defeated death and disease was by taking them on himself and carrying them with him to the grave. God's judgment on the sin that brought disease was endured by Jesus when he suffered and died" (24).

What Jesus did temporarily in His time on earth is a source of hope for our eternal future when "he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore" (Revelation 21:4).

Family Discussion Questions: How can experiencing sickness or watching someone else experience sickness remind you of this future promise for God's people?

How does it make you feel to imagine a world with no more disease or death?

Prayer: Thank and praise Jesus for taking on the punishment that opened the way for us to one day be freed from sickness and death forever!

Ask God to help you remember this promise as you see sickness and death around you.

eternal life Tuesday, 3/30

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) It's can be hard to picture life with no ending point. We are told in His Word that "He has put eternity into man's heart" (Ecclesiastes 3:11). We were made to live forever before sin and death came through Adam & Eve's disobedience. Thanks be to God that He loved the world so much that He gave His only Son! Whoever believes in Him will not perish, but we will have everlasting life in His presence. This is a promise beyond our capability to truly understand.

Before His death, Jesus said something about eternal life that we shouldn't ignore. "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.'"

(John 17:1-3, emphasis mine) Often when we consider eternal life, we picture a heavenly sphere as it's been described to us by others or as it's been portrayed in books and movies, perhaps with angels playing harps on clouds and looking down on the world. below It's a peaceful picture, but it isn't biblical. And more than that, Jesus describes eternal life as this: to know God and His Son! Though the future for believers is beautiful and exciting as we await a new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21 & 22), the greatest promise for us is that we get to know the Almighty God who has saved us and loved us! He is a greater treasure than anything we experience in this world or the world to come. The prize for God's children isn't a place or a thing - it's God Himself, the One who is all-satisfying! And that prize is available to us in part even now as we wait for eternity in His presence.

For those of us who have the promise of eternal life with Jesus, may the cry of our hearts be "Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (Psalm 73:25-26). As we await His second coming, let's make it our one pursuit of this life to truly know Him and His love - for this is eternal life!

Family Discussion Questions: When you hear "eternal life," what comes to mind?

Have you ever thought of knowing God as the greatest gift, not heaven itself?

How do we practically pursue knowing God in this life?

Prayer: Thank Jesus for His sacrifice that obtained eternal life for for those who put their faith in Him. Thank Him that He made a way for us to know Him and find what our souls need most through His love.

If you've never experienced this kind of all-satisfying relationship with God, ask Him to lead you into that.

his joy & ours Wednesday, 3/31

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2) "The path that leads to joy is a hard road. It's hard for us, and it was hard for Jesus. It cost him his life. It may cost us ours" (25).

Have you ever considered what joy Jesus was looking toward as he endured the agony of the cross? Or how that informs our pursuit of joy? The cross meant separation from the Father, so one aspect of this future joy was knowing He would be in the Father's presence again, which is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11). He would experience the joy of seeing people forgiven of their sins once and for all because of His sacrifice (Luke 15:7). Perhaps there is joy He experiences that we can't imagine!

So how does this affect us, those who are left in this world with immense brokenness and evil still raging on all sides? The apostle John recorded this statement from Jesus in the midst of many instructions, promises and warnings of what was to come after His death: "These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full" (John 15:11).

Jesus is offering all of His disciples the greatest joy we can know in this life, which is to know Him, be known by Him, and make Him known to the world! We know, however, that joy isn't handed to us on a silver platter. Instead, through trials and tribulations, we run this race with our eyes fixed on the One who turns trials into endurance, so we can be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:4). We look toward the promised day when we will be in His presence forever, with every tear wiped away and every wrong made right.

"In the same way that the hope of joy enabled Christ to endure the cross, our hope of joy empowers us to suffer with him" (26). We press on day by day, relying fully on His grace moment by moment (2 Corinthians 12:9), knowing that "Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning" (Psalm 30:5).

Family Discussion Questions: How would you define joy?

What would you say gives you joy?

Have you ever associated suffering with the promise of joy?

Prayer: Thank Jesus for choosing the hard path of obedience through His death on he cross that led to both His joy and our joy in Him. Ask Him to help you seek joy in Him alone, not in the things of this world that will fade away. Ask for His help in the midst of trials and suffering to keep your eyes on the joy set before you, which is the prize of being with Him forever.

his resurrection & ours Thursday, 4/1

"Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain...But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead." (1 Corinthians 15:12-14, 20-21) "For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his." (Romans 6:5) In Paul's first letter to the Corinthians church, he addresses the issue of the future bodily resurrection. Some people were claiming that there wouldn't be a future resurrection, and Paul makes a very clear connection between Christ's resurrection and ours. He says in essence "If there isn't a resurrection for believers, then Jesus Himself wasn't even resurrected. And if He wasn't resurrected from the dead - well, there goes our faith. It's pointless." The resurrection of Jesus was central to His completed work of salvation for us and victory over sin and death. If He had simply died on the cross and remained dead, that means death would still be reigning over us - what hope would we have?

But God raised Him up three days later! He defeated the power and sting of death. And believers have the promise that just as Jesus was raised, they will be raised, too. This includes a spiritual resurrection in the present (as we are freed from sin and given the Holy Spirit to live a new life), but there is also a future physical resurrection!

Believers have the promise that Jesus will come back one day and raise up the saints who have already died. He will give us new, incorruptible bodies (read all of 1 Corinthians 15 to learn more).

And we will be with Him forever! We may not have every detail we want about exactly how all of these things will take place, but God has given us enough in His Word to show us that it is a hope beyond what we can imagine!

Family Discussion Questions: Did you know that there would be a future resurrection?

Is it exciting to you to think of the future that Jesus has for His people? Why or why not?

Prayer: Thank Jesus that we get to experience resurrection, both spiritually and physically, because of His sacrifice and victory over death.

Good friday Friday, 4/2

It's a strange thing to call this day "good." Good Friday is the day the Church has chosen to remember the worst, and best, day in the history of the world. This is the day we remember Jesus's suffering on the cross.

Read Matthew 27:27-54.

It's hard to find words after reading of the torture Jesus willingly endured for our salvation. Can you understand now why, in the Garden of Gethsemane before His arrest, He begged the Father to not have Him go to the cross (Matthew 26:36-46)?

In love for the world, the Father's answer, though not recorded, was "no." So Jesus submitted. "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth" (Isaiah 53:7).

This horrible day was also a "good" day, the best day, because this sacrifice meant that we could be saved through Jesus.

There is no greater love than this.

Family Discussion Questions: Take some time in silence to meditate on this passage and what Jesus suffered for the world.

Consider lighting candles and having a family prayer time.

Prayer: Praise Jesus for being the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world.

Appendix 1: What is the gospel?

God is the Creator of the earth and everything in it. He is perfectly holy, just and righteous. He created man and woman in HIs image, and He created us to live in perfect harmony with each other and with Him. And then our original parents, Adam and Eve, rebelled against God and ushered sin into the world. And as descendants of Adam and Eve, we have all participated in this sin. Because of our sin, God can rightly deal with us by giving us His wrath and ultimately separating us from Him forever.

But He didn't leave us to our own devices; instead, the Son of God entered into the world, took on flesh and became Jesus Christ. He lived the perfect life we could not live in our place, and then He died the death that we deserved. He laid dead in the tomb for three days, and on that third day He was resurrected by the power of the Spirit, proving His sacrifice acceptable in the eyes of the Father.

Our response to this Good News about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is repentance and faith. Repentance is turning from our sin and faith is placing our hope in Jesus as our Savior. You can respond in this way. This is the gospel!

Adapted from "How to Share the Gospel in 90 Seconds" by The Village Church (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c7ay8Pp2Pw)

Appendix 2: What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus?

Disciple literally means "learner." To be a disciple of Jesus means that we become His student, seeking to obey Him with our entire lives.

Disciples of Jesus Christ live for three essential commands: 1. "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

This is the great and first commandment." (Matthew 22:37-38) 2. "And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:39) 3. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.� (Matthew 28:18b-20) Disciples are new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17) with new hearts (Ezekiel 26:25) that desire to love, obey and please God. Our lives become living sacrifices in service of God and others (Romans 12:1). We don't do this to earn grace from God; instead, we do this because we have already received His grace! A life of obedience is an overflow of a grace-filled heart.

Disciples of Jesus also become members of His Church, which involves committing themselves to a local congregation to receive teaching, equipping, correction and encouragement as well as to offer their own spiritual gifts as a member of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians). They engage in spiritual practices (prayer, Scripture study, fasting, community, confession and repentance, giving of resources, etc.) in pursuit of ongoing transformation by the Spirit's power and in pursuit of building God's kingdom on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).

Disciples of Jesus make more disciples of Jesus. They share the good news with others and come alongside those who put their faith in Jesus to journey together in the path of obedience.

While this may sound intimidating, grace abounds for the disciple of Jesus! God has given His people His Holy Spirit to be their Helper (John 14:16). We are not alone, and it is God who works in us to accomplish these things for His pleasure and His glory (Philippians 2:13)!

This is only a brief glimpse into the life of a disciple. The best way to find out more is to read the New Testament and to plug into Christian community. See Appendix 4 for ways to get connected at VPC!

Appendix 3: family discipleship resources One of the incredible benefits of the information age is that we have access to countless resources for growing as disciples and as disciple-makers, specifically disciple-makers in our homes.

We also know that the internet is full of inaccurate and unbiblical information that can lead us astray. Below are several website links that will take you to sites with resources (articles, podcasts, sermons, etc.) that we believe are Biblically grounded and will help equip parents their personal growth as well as for how to faithfully lead their families .

The Village Church (Flower Mound, TX) https://www.tvcresources.net/resource-library/topic-index/family-discipleship/ The Gospel Coalition https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/?s=family+discipleship Desiring God https://www.desiringgod.org/topics/family/all

We strongly encourage all VPC parents to use these resources as supplementary material in conjunction with your regular engagement with the local church. Resources like these cannot replace the invaluable role that local community plays in our lives as Christians. See Appendix 4 for VPC's current offerings for community engagement!

Appendix 4: VPC COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES

Appendix 4: VPC COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES

notes 1. The Village Church. Family Discipleship. Flower Mound, TX: The Village Church, 2016.

2. "Slave." Dictionary.com. 2021. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/slave?s=t (31 Jan 2021).

3. “Reconcile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/reconcile. Accessed 3 Feb. 2021.

4. Keller, Tim. The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God. (New York: Penguin Group, 2011), p. 48 5. See #2 above.

6. "Obey." Dictionary.com. 2021. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/obey?s=t (3 Feb 2021).

7. Piper, John. Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. (Illinois: Crossway Books, 2006), p. 24-25 8. "Humble." Dictionary.com. 2021. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/humble?s=t (3 Feb 2021).

9. “Righteous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/righteous. Accessed 3 Feb. 2021.

10. Piper, John. Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. (Illinois: Crossway Books, 2006), p. 28 11. Ibid., p. 109 12. Piper, John. Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. (Illinois: Crossway Books, 2006), p. 90 13. Ibid., p. 102 14. “Accuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/accuse. Accessed 3 Feb. 2021.

15. Piper, John. Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. (Illinois: Crossway Books, 2006), p. 52 16. Ibid., p. 53 17. Ibid., p. 53 18. "Condemn." Dictionary.com. 2021. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/condemn?s=t (3 Feb 2021).

19. Piper, John. Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. (Illinois: Crossway Books, 2006), p. 43 20. Ibid., p. 43 21. Ibid., p. 118 22. Ibid., p. 112 23. Ibid., p. 54 24. Ibid., p. 55 25. Ibid., p. 114 26. Ibid., p. 115