Kenny Hibbard

Romans 12:1

¹ Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

Here is a great way to break down this verse and digest the marrow from the bones of this great biblical truth:

• When a verse starts off with the word….“Therefore”.…..always go back one chapter and read what came before the verse that starts off “Therefore”. A good way to remember this Bible Study observation is to think to yourself when you see the word…..“What is it THERE for?” Then read what came before the verse that follows the “therefore.”
• Is this verse only talking to males? Is that why it says “brothers”….or does that translation of a word mean something more than gender? Click here for a website to help answer those type questions
• What are the previous verses saying about God’s mercy toward us? What has been my personal experience with the “Mercy” of God?  What am I feeling about that now?
• What is a living sacrifice?  Is that an oxymoron? Sacrifices are something that was dead or being killed. How can someone be a living….dead person?
• What does it mean to live a Holy life that pleases God? And what does that have to do with how I view God’s mercy toward me?
• What does it look like to ACT or “do something” that God sees as “acceptable or pleasing” actions that is also seen as Worship?

Take this one verse….use the internet…..and have some fun doing a little Bible Study.  You will be amazed at how the Bible comes to life!

As a pastor and parent I understand the cultural media wars that we face each day with our “tweens and teens”.

• What TV shows and movies should they be watching?

• Do I let my daughter have a Facebook account…. and at what age?

• Do I let my son have a phone when he is in 6th grade? When should he get one?

• What songs should they NOT be listening to? Can I really navigate them away from those songs?

• Should I allow my kids to sleep over at a friends house when I am not sure what movies they will be allowed to watch or if ALL the computers in the home  has a Porn Filter on it?

These are great questions every parent should be asking and acting on. The challenge is that when we act on what we know is pure and right for our kids….the potential for WAR is there. Why? Because as wise Christian parents we do not allow our kids to do or have “what every other kid in their grade” apparently has and enjoys.

Is there a way to be media savvy and help our kids be “in our media driven culture” without being harmed by its immorality and sinfulness?  This is one of the reasons we are offering our 10:13 weekend for students on February 24/25th.  I hope you will get your students signed up this Sunday.

Also, I wanted to pass on to you a website that has some on-line resources and a book that will be helpful for all parents.

Go to Plugged In Parenting website. While there you can also read about and order a new book that is out on this very subject.

Take the quiz on line and see if you are a “plugged in” parent? Or…are you just hoping your kids are doing the right thing and that it will “all work out in the end.” Proactive parenting in this area is hard, takes time and many times upsets your kids.  Lazy parenting just assumes “my child” is good and will be okay.

I hope that every parent reading this will continue to realize that “today’s world” is NOT just like when you were a teenager!  That is foolish and harmful thinking.

Proverbs 22:3 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.
The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. (NLT)

Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not turn from it. (NIV)

Proverbs 22:15 Young people are prone to foolishness and fads;
the cure comes through tough-minded discipline. (The Message)

Team Church Parents……FW this BLOG to all your friends so they can have access to the website too.

As you have noticed….we now have an intentional personal prayer time at the conclusion of each service.  We have developed a caring team of men and women who are making themselves available after each service to pray or even talk with anyone who feels like they want to do so……as soon as the service is over.

Here are some information bullet points about this new and exciting ministry opportunity.

• We know that sometimes directly after a service that you may want to pray with someone about some challenges going on in your life. Moreover, maybe you made a decision based on what you experienced during the service and you would like to share it with someone or get immediate help in that area.
• The immediate goal is to have men and women stationed in the balcony and in the front left corner of the auditorium in both services.  This may grow and change as the need arrives.
• These caring adult leaders will be available as soon as the service is over. They will be standing in a manner and location that is very evident that they are there for you!
• You may approach them with any prayer needs you may have or questions you may have about a commitment you just experienced in the service.
• The prayer leaders will stand and wait to see if anyone approaches them. They will stay as long as needed. However, after about 10 minutes….if they do not have anyone who has approached them…..they will leave that area.
• As always, the Connection Card may also be used for all prayer request, choices made and other things you may need from our staff or caring volunteers.  Just place the cards in the receiving boxes as normal and we will attend to them on Monday.

Also, if this is a ministry area that you believe you would like to serve in on a regular basis….then please email kennyhibbard@teamchurch.com

for more information on this exciting new team. Also, help spread the word that this prayer opportunity is available after each service.

Parents of Middle and High School students…get your students signed up NOW for our 10:13 weekend on February 24/25th.