TLC Lesson

Yes! To A Lifestyle of Blessing!!!<= /h2>

Scarred by Struggle and Still Seized by Hope!

(Developing a Family Mission Statement)

TLC Lesson for the W= eek of November 12, 2006

Genesis 6=

THE CONDENSED VERSION (For group= s with limited time or for family dinner discussions.)
       =      Overview= :.Noah was a righteousness man in a culture characterized as so wicked that “every inclination of the thoughts of man’s heart was only evil all the time.” Noah’s st= ory is known for a number of theologically significant aspects. Hebrews 11 ranks Noah among the h= eroes whose actions grew from faith. Noah, “when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear bu= ilt an ark to save his family” (Hebrews 11:7). The aspect that we’d like t= o focus on this week is the family aspect. Noah and his family lived a life very different from the culture ar= ound them. They worked together f= or some 120 years building and supplying a land-locked ship. They focused on their God-given m= ission and because of that they not only saved themselves but animal life and the future of mankind.

.           <= /span>Read: Genesis 6:17-19=

            Discuss: How do you think Noah felt ab= out the mission that God gave him? H= ow would you have responded to God’s request? Looking back, what do you think y= our family mission might be?

            Pray: Share prayer requests with one another. . (Let people share= their prayer requests without taking time to give them advise or try to solve th= eir creative dilemma.)

OPTIONAL OPENING ICE BREAKER

(As we try to draw closer together as a group, it is he= lpful to learn interesting facts about each other. Ice Breakers can help us know eac= h other better.)

What is your favorite kind of boat (i.e. rowboat, ski b= oat, sailboat, fishingboat, etc.)? Why?

=

INTRODUCTION

Read through the “Overview” in the “Condensed Version” box above.

DISCUSSION THOUGHTS

1. Read G= enesis 6:17-19. Discuss what you think would happ= en in your family if you came home and told them that God had just given you the= same message he gave to Moses?

2. Read P= hilippians 4:11. Growing up did your fa= mily have the attitude of contentment or discontent? What attitude does your family ha= ve now? What are some practical= ways a family can sew seeds of contentment?

3. Read G= enesis 7:1. Pastor Tim made the sta= tement, “Character must prepare itself to stand the test of being in the minority.” Modern pres= sures are the “fit in” especially for young people. How do you think Moses cultivated= a “don’t care about fitting in” attitude in his family? How can we cultivate this attitud= e in our families today?

4. Read E= xodus 1:1. What would you like your family to be known for? What= things are you doing to cultivate that trait being handed down through generation= s?

5. Read G= enesis 9:1and Joshua 24:15. How wou= ld you define “fruitful”? Talk about what you see as your families’ heart. Hurts? Gifts?= Strengths?

(over)

6. Look a= t the 9 Lifestyle statements below. = We have been studying each of these over the past 10 weeks. Which are the easiest for you to adopt?   Which are the m= ost challenging?

<= o:p>

#= 1 We ar= e created in the image of God with creative choices; therefore, our conversation nee= ds to include personal responsibility!

<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:1'>        =             &n= bsp;           &nbs= p;            =             &n= bsp;           &nbs= p;            =             &n= bsp;           &nbs= p;            =             &n= bsp;           &nbs= p;            =             = Genesis 1:27

#= 2 We ar= e created and blessed to be a blessing. Therefore, in our homes and offices we will have a collage of bless= ing representing this blessing to all! =         =             &n= bsp;           &nbs= p;            =             &n= bsp;           &nbs= p;            =             &n= bsp;           &nbs= p;            =             &n= bsp;           &nbs= p;            =             = Genesis 1:28

#= 3 We ar= e created to be God’s construction project of good; therefore, we make a conce= rted effort to continually grow in living out God’s ethical standards! &= nbsp;           &nb= sp;            = ;            &= nbsp;           &nb= sp;            = ;            &= nbsp;           &nb= sp;            = ;            &= nbsp;           &nb= sp;            = ;            &= nbsp;           &nb= sp;       Genesis 1:31

#= 4 We ar= e created to function best by establishing an equilibrium between work and rest with Godly roots!         =             &n= bsp;           &nbs= p;            =             &n= bsp;           &nbs= p;            =             &n= bsp;           &nbs= p;            =             &n= bsp;           &nbs= p;            =             = Genesis 2:2-3

#= 5 We ar= e created for a garden; therefore, we prize tending our environment in a way that wi= ll glorify God.         =             &n= bsp;           &nbs= p;            =             &n= bsp;           &nbs= p;            =             &n= bsp;           &nbs= p;            =             &n= bsp;           &nbs= p;            =             = Genesis 2:15

#= 6 We we= re created for a healthy family and work toward that by building on respect r= ather than shame!             = ;            &= nbsp;           &nb= sp;            = ;            &= nbsp;           &nb= sp;            = ;            &= nbsp;           &nb= sp;            = ;            &= nbsp;           &nb= sp;            = ;        Genesis 2:20-25

#= 7 We we= re created for an ongoing relationship with God; therefore, we value humility= and repentance!             = ;            &= nbsp;           &nb= sp;            = ;            &= nbsp;           &nb= sp;            = ;            &= nbsp;           &nb= sp;            = ;            &= nbsp;           &nb= sp;            = ;        Genesis 3:1-5

#= 8 We ch= oose, as a church family, to reject c= oveting and to embrace the uniqueness of God’s creative work in us.         =             &n= bsp;           &nbs= p;            =             &n= bsp;           &nbs= p;            =             &n= bsp;           &nbs= p;            =             &n= bsp;           &nbs= p;            =             = Genesis 4:1-17

#= 9 We be= lieve that God cares about families, therefore, our families develop personalized mission statements.         =             &n= bsp;           &nbs= p;            =             &n= bsp;           &nbs= p;            =             &n= bsp;           &nbs= p;            =             &n= bsp;           &nbs= p;            =             = Genesis 6:17-9:1 <= /p>
<= o:p>

CLOSING PRAYER

1.&= nbsp;     Share prayers and praises with one another.

2.&= nbsp;     Pray that God blesses people in our church financially = so that we will be able to make our general fund whole and raise the addition= al pledges we need to complete our building project on time.

3.&= nbsp;     Pray for Pastors Tim and Jackie and their family.<= /o:p>

4.&= nbsp;     Pray for the Lord to bring new people to our church = 211; both our Redmond Campus and our North Campus services.
&nbs= p;