Faith Talk - January 26, 2025
Sunday: January 26, 2025
Series: Solid Ground
Sermon: Hope for the Home
Series: Solid Ground
Sermon: Hope for the Home
Scripture
Romans 8:28 – We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
Summary
Sunday, we continued our series, Solid Ground. Pastor Brian taught how Christ in the hope of the home amid our brokenness and struggle.
In Romans 8:22-31, we are reminded of the groaning of creation, people, and even the Holy Spirit against the sin and brokenness of this world. The sermon related this to realize all families will face challenges - just like the families we see in Scripture. While comparing our messy reality to others' mostly fake social media lives is easy, we're reminded that our hope isn't in this world but in Christ.
The Holy Spirit helps us pray when we don't know how, groaning with us in our weakness. When we love God and live according to His purpose, He works all things together for our good, using even our trials to conform us to Christ's image. We can face family challenges with patient hope, knowing that if God is for us, nothing can ultimately defeat us.
Key Points:
In Romans 8:22-31, we are reminded of the groaning of creation, people, and even the Holy Spirit against the sin and brokenness of this world. The sermon related this to realize all families will face challenges - just like the families we see in Scripture. While comparing our messy reality to others' mostly fake social media lives is easy, we're reminded that our hope isn't in this world but in Christ.
The Holy Spirit helps us pray when we don't know how, groaning with us in our weakness. When we love God and live according to His purpose, He works all things together for our good, using even our trials to conform us to Christ's image. We can face family challenges with patient hope, knowing that if God is for us, nothing can ultimately defeat us.
Key Points:
- All families face challenges in our broken world
- The Holy Spirit helps us pray in our weakness
- God works trials for good as we love Him and follow His purpose
Age-Appropriate Discussions
Homes with Adults
Homes with High School Students
Homes with Middle School Students
Homes with Elementary Students
- How has comparing your family to others affected your perspective on God's work in your own family?
- When facing family challenges, what's the difference between praying for your solutions versus praying in "humble weakness"?
- How have you seen God use family difficulties to shape you more like Christ?
Homes with High School Students
- How do you balance being real about family struggles while still honoring your family?
- What makes it hard to trust God when family life isn't going as planned?
- How can you support your family members when they're struggling?
Homes with Middle School Students
- Which Bible family's story helps you feel better about your own family's challenges?
- When you’re worried about family problems, what do you usually do first? Do you try to fix them yourself or pray about them?
- How does knowing the Holy Spirit help us pray make praying easier?
Homes with Elementary Students
- What makes you happy about your family?
- When something's hard at home, how do you talk to God about it?
- How can you help your family this week?
Pray Together
Heavenly Father, thank You for being with every family in both good times and challenges. Thank You for giving us the Holy Spirit to help us pray when we don't know what to say. We ask that You help us trust You more when things are difficult. Give us the patience to wait for Your timing and wisdom to see how You work in our lives. We commit to loving You first and staying faithful to Your purpose in our lives, remembering You are working for our good, even when we can't see it. For our good and Your glory, we pray, in Jesus' name. Amen.
OPTIONAL Family Activity
Groaning to Glory Game
This activity connects to the sermon's theme of how the Holy Spirit helps us when we don't know what to say and how struggles can lead to good outcomes.
Materials: Paper and pens/pencils for each person
How to play:
Materials: Paper and pens/pencils for each person
How to play:
- Each person writes down a challenging situation families might face (appropriate to your family's age levels) - like "fighting over the TV remote" or "being late for school"
- Put all papers in a bowl
- Take turns drawing a paper and acting out TWO scenes:
- First scene: Acting out "groaning" or being frustrated about the situation (keep it light and silly!)
- Second scene: Acting out a positive way to handle the situation
- After each turn, the family can briefly discuss how God might use that challenge to help us grow
Posted in Faith Talk
No Comments