Luke 18:9-14 The Pharisee & the Tax Collector Summary: Two men went up to the Temple to pray. One of them received what he was seeking, and the other did not. Today we will hear of the problem of both of these men, their need for righteousness, and how they, and we, can attain a righteousness fit for the Kingdom of God. Outline: 1. The scene as they saw it 2. The scene as Jesus saw it 3. The scene as we see it and live it Verse for Kids bulletin Philippians 2:8 And being found in human form, Jesus Christ humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. Jesus told the parable of two very different people: the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. In which ways were they alike? How were they different? 2. Jesus told this parable to correct the problems of sin, self-righteousness, and treating others with contempt (looking down on others). How do you see these problems in this day and age? 3. Do you relate to either of the characters in the parable? In which ways? 4. How was the Tax Collector justified, that is, made right with God? How are you justified?

Ruth 1:1-6 Bitter Providence, Far from Home Summary: Have you ever heard of Ruth in the Bible? Today we start looking at her story as we hear about her mother-in-law Naomi and their struggles long ago. Today let's listen as we think about suffering, the struggle to trust God, and his unstoppable plans for us. Outline: 1. Hard choices 2. Bitter providence 3. Returning home Verse: Psalm 61:1–2a 1 Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; 2 from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. Why is the setting of this book

Titus 3:12-15 Words of Care for the Church Summary: Have you ever written a letter to someone? When we finish a letter, sometimes we'll say,

Sermon Text: Gen.2:4-25 Sermon Title: Garden Freedom Outline: Free to Be, Free to Enjoy Kid's bulletin Verse: Gen. 2:7 Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. Summary: True life and freedom are found in the presence of God

2 Samuel 23:8-39 The King's Mighty Men Summary: Today we stop and give thanks to God for those who serve and lead among us as elders and deacons. Listen to the amazing story in 2 Samuel 23 of David's mighty men and their deeds. They loved and served their king! It reminds us that Jesus (the greater king!) is worthy of our whole lives. God calls all of us (not just leaders!) to be wholly devoted to king Jesus. 1. Zeal and courage 2. Worship and sacrifice 3. Weakness and grace Verse: Revelation 5:13b “...To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. What motivated the courage of David’s mighty men to risk their lives? 2. Why do you think David poured out the water that the men brought back from Bethlehem? What could we learn from this about our own service to King Jesus? 3. Most leaders in God's church do not feel like one of those mighty men. And yet what might this passage teach us about Jesus and our motives to serve him? 4. How can you pray for and encourage those who lead as elders and deacons in our church?

Genesis 18:1-15, 21:1-7

Titus 3:9-10 Seeking the Peace and Purity of God's Church Summary: Today as we’re back in Titus, listen for two really important words: peace and purity. Do you know what each means? God wants us to guard both in his church. Keeping the gospel of Jesus at the center means that we want to honor him in our speech, our relationships and with what we believe. Let’s think about it: Outline: 1. Seek the peace of the church in your speech and relationships 2. Seek the purity of the church through decisive action 3. Keep the Gospel the main thing! Verse: James 1:19 … let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger… Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. What are the controversies in this passage that we should avoid? Why might it be tempting to engage in such controversies and debates? How do we know which controversies are necessary and which are fruitless? 2. Why are these debates, “unprofitable and worthless” as Paul says? Where might you be tempted in this? 3. How does Paul command us to deal with a divisive person in the church? Why is this so vital to the health of our congregation? 4. To put it positively, how does focusing on Jesus and his gospel help promote the peace and purity of the church? How can you be involved in that today?

Titus 3:1-8 Grace for a Whole New Life Summary: No matter how old we are, we could all look back on our life and remember where we failed to love and obey God. The older we get, the more we see it! But there is great news, because God's great salvation for us is not based on how well we have done. It is based on how well Jesus did when he lived, died and rose again for us. This great news gives us the power for a whole new life. Let's listen as God speaks to us today: Outline: 1. To put on a new life, remember the emptiness of the old 2. To put on a new life, the Gospel is our hope 3. The power of our new life is shown by our good works Verse: Titus 3:4-5a But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us... Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. How does Paul describe the character of this new life to which we are called (Titus 2:1-2). Why do you think he goes on to describe all of his past failures in verse 3? 2. How does Paul describe God's great salvation in 3:4-7? What makes this salvation so great? Discuss or think about words such as

Titus 2:11-14 Grace Changes Everything Summary: Have you ever thought about how you can find the strength to obey God? Does the strength come from some power inside of you? From a list of rules? Fear of punishment? Or does the power to live a godly life come from somewhere else? Today, let's think about how God's grace in Jesus changes everything and gives us the power to please God. Outline: 1. Grace saves us 2. Grace trains us for godliness 3. Grace builds our hope 4. Grace fuels our good works Verse: Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people... Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. What are the

Titus 2:9-10 Noble Service Summary: Have you ever decorated something? Maybe a cake? Or your house for a party? Why do we decorate things? To make them look nice, more beautiful, or more attractive than they were before. Today, Paul talks to those who are under authority - that's all of us- (teacher, parent, boss) and tells us that when we do our work and submit to them joyfully, we

Titus 2:7-8 The Charge of a Young Pastor Summary: Pastors in God's church aren't perfect people. They are sinners too, but God does call them to live in such a way that people might follow their example of godliness. But what does that mean? Let's listen to God's Word in Titus 2 to find out: Outline: 1. A faithful pastor is to be a model of good works 2. A faithful pastor is to be a teacher of sound doctrine 3. A faithful pastor is a witness to the world 4. A faithful pastor is a mirror of the Savior Verse: Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people... Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. How would you describe the picture of a godly pastor/leader in this passage? How does it differ from how the world might define a leader? 2. Paul highlights a pastor's actions (good works) and his teaching as two main qualities that are needed for godly leadership. How might this influence how we choose elders and pastors in the church? Why are both qualities so vital for faithful ministry? 3. How does the description in this passage show us a reflection of Jesus? 4. How might this passage lead you to pray for pastors and leaders in God's church?

Find these words that relate to our lesson today

Sermon title: Too Far Gone The topic is how we believe some people have travelled too far down a path of sin for God to reach them. Sermon text: 2 Kings 21:1-18 along with 2 Chronicles 32:33-33:20 Outline: Bloody resume of Manasseh Consequences of Manasseh's sins Repentance and restoration of Manasseh Memory Verse: Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God. (2 Chronicles 33:13b)

Song of Solomon 8:6-7 NRSV

Sermon Text: Philemon 21-25 Sermon Title: The Unrealistic Hopes of Missionary Paul Kids Summary Do you know how many kinds of rooms there are in a hospital? There are many different kinds: a reception desk, an administrative office, a room for taking X-rays, a room for examining patients, a room for surgery, a room for patients' wards, a nurses' station, and so on. How would you feel if a hospital said,

Numbers 6:22-27 The Blessing Sermon Outline: A. Aaron B. Israel C. Us Memory Verse: The LORD bless you and keep you; (Numbers 6:24)

Proverbs 3:1-8 NRSV

Titus 2:6 Portrait of a Godly Young Man Summary: Do you know what

Titus 2:3-5 Portrait of a Godly Young Woman Summary: Last week we saw in Titus that God has blessed us with godly spiritual mothers. But God has also given us young women as a gift to the Body of Christ. What is their role in God's kingdom? Let's listen to Titus today and think about their important calling. Outline: To younger women: you can love because God first loved you: 1. You can love your family 2. You can love godliness 3. You can love your role 4. You can love to represent your Savior Verse: Proverbs 31:10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. What is the main family-centered calling of younger women? What do you think it means to be

Titus 2:3-5 Spiritual Mothers Summary: Take a look around and the ladies in our church. God has blessed us with so many godly spiritual mothers! But what is their role in our lives? Let's listen to Titus today and think about their important calling in our church. Outline: 1. The godly older woman and her church 2. The godly older woman and her God 3. The godly older woman and her character 4. The godly older woman and her ministry Verse: Proverbs 31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. How should the church be equipping the spiritual mothers of our church for their work? 2. The phrase