5/24 Weekly Update

First of all, we want to wish everyone with final exams good luck. We pray that your hard work and studying will prove useful and that you would be successful in your tests this week. Finish strong!


Tuesday, May 25
In anticipation of carpet being put down on Wednesday, there are some final touches needed for some parts of the downstairs at church. We will be opening the doors starting at 3:30 for those who can come and help us finish. We are grateful for those who have sacrificed their time over the past few weeks to help us out in restoring our children's ministry wing.

Sunday, May 30
Our Sunday School classes will be taught by our new intern, Josh Knabel. He will be leading a Bible study and discussion on Matthew 14.

Sunday night is our annual End of School Bash at the Schreiner Farm (directions are available Sunday). The church and the Schreiners will be providing hamburgers, hot dogs, buns, condiments, and s'more making materials. However, the rest is up to you to bring. Please note what everyone is supposed to bring:

• 6th & 7th Graders: Drinks
• 8th & 9th Graders: Chips
• 10th-12th Graders: Dessert

Please bring what you are assigned to contribute to the group. We will be eating, playing games, and burning our homework from the previous year. See you there!

5/23 Sunday School "Taming the Tongue"

Devotion by Jared Graves

Introduction

Students will play a game of “Mad Lib”.

The right word placement makes all the difference in the world. We could say something that portrays the same message but switch just a few words around and say something completely different, and possibly unintentional.

Bible Study

Read James 3:3-12

James is very serious in his discussion of what words can do. What were our words initially meant to do?

What now have our words turned into?

Today we are going to look at the Proverbs and what they have to say about the tongue. The tongue is kind of like nuclear science, it could be used for good, or it could be used to bring destruction and hatred.

Gossip: Have the students find the following Proverbs, and have them wait for the signal to read them: Proverbs 16:28, 20:19, 19:1, 18:6-8

Read Proverbs 16:28, 20:19, 19:1, 18:6-8

What do these Scriptures say about gossip?

What is considered gossip?

Anger: Have the students ready to read the following passages from Proverbs: 14:17, 14:29, 15:1, 15:18

Is anger always a sin? (Psalm 4:4 states, “In your anger, do not sin”.)

Read Proverbs 14:17, 14:28, 15:1, 15:8.

What is the fine line between anger and destruction?

Truth: Have the students ready to read the following passages form Proverbs: 15:1-2,4,7-8,29, 19:5,9, 21:6, 20:15.

Read Proverbs 15:1-2,4,7-8,28,

One author stated that these verse could indicate that all our speech should be a prayer to God. Agree or disagree?

Read Proverbs 19:5,9, 21:6, and 20:15

What is the difference in a tongue that professes truth and a tongue that gossips, tears down, lies, etc?

Application

What are some tidbits of wisdom that we can use from what we learned today to keep our mouth doing what God created it to do?

What steps can someone take to tame their tongue?

Weekly Update 5.17

Tuesday, May 18
We know that we are winding down the school year, but if you are available to help out with the restoration of the church's basement, we would like to have your help. We will be painting on Tuesday night from 3:30-7:00. We will have food provided, but we need you to bring your painting supplies. Please note that this is not a night to come goof around. We will have fun fellowshipping, but the work will be very serious.

Sunday, May 23
Sunday morning we will be taking a look at the Proverbs. At Ignite, Chris Day will join us and will discuss the question "Why do I hold grudges and can't seem to let go?" Our worship team will also be performing, so we hope to see everyone out.

Summer Intern
Please take a moment to welcome Josh Knabel to our ministry staff. Josh is a senior at Johnson Bible College and will be filling the summer intern position. You can add him on Facebook. Make sure you come and introduce yourself to him Sunday.

June 10
Next month's "A 10th for the Lord" will take us to Barren Heights camp in Louisville. We will leave the church at 8:00 and will return at 5:00. We will be assisting with some cleaning and groundswork. If you are interested in going on this trip (adult or youth) please contact Jared (jared@bowlinggreenchristian.org).

5/16 Sunday School 3 John

Senior High- Jennifer Perkinson, Junior High-John Baker

Bible Study

Read 3 John 1-4

Just like in 2 John, the writer is praising a member of the church whose children (whether they are actual children or spiritual children) are doing what they are supposed to do.

Read 3 John 5-8

In this time there were many traveling evangelist. A messenger would preach the same sermon over and over to each church he visited. However, as he went along the way, he would give a status report of what the other churches were doing. Gaius showed hospitality to these people and supported their cause.

Read 3 John 9-10

Now John contrasts Gaius and Diotrephes’ actions. Diotrephes does not welcome those who are coming to spread the message. What are the things that Diotrephes did to the messengers of the Gospel? (Refuses to welcome them and makes sure that those who are in his church do not welcome them)

Read 3 John 11-14

John concludes his letter with a charge on holy living. He also highlights another brother in Christ, Demetrius, and his reputation.

Application

If we had to make a theme of this book, we could possibly say that it is all about having a good reputation.

Discussion Questions

• What is Gaius’ reputation?
• What is Diotrephes’ reputation?
• We see here that very early in the church, there were already people who saw church in “teams”. Is this thought still prevalent today? How can we avoid the mindset that different denominations are different teams?
• If stories about your faith circulated around, what would your reputation be?