Belong

January 15-21

Welcome In my garage we have marked a wall to indicate how my kids have grown over the years. I marked my height several years ago & I think Im shrinking! Whats up with that? Tonights HG will focus on our growing up in the Lord...Becoming more like Christ. Be prepared to talk about the growth that you desire to see God work in your life. Opening Prayer Thank the Lord for bringing your group together tonight & ask Him to move in each persons heart, stirring in each of us a growing desire to become more & more like our awesome Savior!

Become
Family Time Have you ever planted a garden? What was your part in making the plants grow? (let them answer) What was Gods part? If you didn't do your part, would the plants have grown? If you do your part & God doesnt do His part, will the plants grow? (NO) Both are important, but without God, nothing will happen. How do Christians grow? Whats your part? Whats Gods part? If you dont do your part, will you grow? So, if you want to grow to be more like Jesus, what should you do? (YOUR PART) God will always do His part. Jesus said in John 15 that if we want to grow to be more & more like Jesus, we must stay close to Him (remain with Him). The Bible tells us that Jesus is in heaven, preparing a place for His children (John 14), right? So, how can you stay close to Jesus (who is in heaven) right now? (The point is not about the location of our body; its about where our love is found, our focus & our lifestyle.) Kids Time Play Jesus Says (just like Simon Says). After youve played this game for 10 minutes or so, sit the kids down & talk about how important it is to listen to Jesus & do what He says. What are some ways that we can hear Jesus talking to us. (the Bible, the Holy Spirit, prayer, your Sunday School teacher, your pastor, your mom & dad, etc.) Divide the kids up into two teams & play Tic Tac Toe! To place an X or O on the board each team must answer a Bible trivia question. Make up a list of 27 simple to more difficult questions (thats three full rounds, if you do the math). Get the kids engaged with the game. Have fun! Give hints & celebrate knowing & LIVING out Gods Word! Adult Time Whats the difference between reading the Bible, studying the Bible & meditating on the Bible? Does one of these seem more appealing to you? Read John 17:17 & discuss how the Word of God makes us HOLY. John 14:15 reads If you love Me, you will OBEY My commands. Obeying...Loving. These words go hand in hand. How much do you love Jesus? One way to answer this is by asking yourself how much you obey Him. Which comes first...loving Him or obeying Him? Thought...dont wait for your heart to catch up to your hands. If you want to grow in your love for the Lord, you should grow in your obedience to Him. How can we help each other to love Jesus more? Prayer Time God, help us to not run ahead of you or fall behind. Help us to remain close to Jesus, to keep in step with Your Holy Spirit. Help us to run back to You when we fall away, knowing that you will always receive a broken & contrite heart. Pray for the kids in your HG by name that they would love & obey Jesus all their lives. Let them see Christ in us.

Beyond
Community Calendar The Mens Conference to Pine Cove is January 27-29. The cost is $140. Were about half full, so sign up soon. Register online or sign up in the church lobby this Sunday. Your Goal: Get 4 men in your HG to attend the Mens Conference! Church Calendar Check out the church website to find out about the Bible studies & other classes that will be starting up this month. Register online today or sign up in the lobby this Sunday. www.pantego.org.

PantegoBibleChurch