The Church Needs Families

• Families reflect Christ’s Love – Ephesians 5:21-27(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
• Families are the first form of discipleship – Deuteronomy 6:6-9(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
• Families secure a spiritual legacy – Proverbs 17:6(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)

• Invest in your home as a place of discipleship –  Deuteronomy 4:9, Colossians 3:21(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
• Live visibly for Christ in marriage and parenting – Matthew 5:16, Colossians 1:10(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
• Encourage and support families in the church –  Ephesians 4:11-13(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)

Praise the Lord

• for the gift of faith to trust Him with our financial futures, including our ongoing giving to the Lord through the ministry here.
• for using us to be part of bringing Jesus to our city, region, state, nation, and world.
• for the goal of enriching our city and county.
• for the physical and emotional healing of those in and connected to our church community.
• for all the new people the Lord is sending to join with us who are experiencing hope in Jesus.
• What are you praising the Lord for this week?(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)

Ask the Lord

• to bless, expand, and protect our brothers and sisters of the persecuted Church, especially in Benin.
• to bless, provide, and empower our brothers and sisters of the Church of Merced.
• for the healing of physical and emotional illness of those in and connected to our church community.
• for our military member of the week: Kyle Tarbell, Army.
• for the blessing and success for our missionary of the week: Love In the Name of Christ (Love INC) (Annette Macia, Executive Director).
• What are you asking the Lord about this week?(MULTILINE REVEAL TINY)

This is a sample of the Discussion Guide for our Sermon-Based Small Groups

CHECKING IN

Growing up, what is one positive family rhythm or habit that shaped you—for better or worse?”(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)

CONVERSATION

1. What is one thing that stood out to you from Sunday’s message?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
2. When you hear the phrase “healthy family,” what images or assumptions come to mind?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)

CONSIDERATION

1. As part of your S.I.P.S. (Sing, Investigate, Pray, Stay) for today, read the following Scripture passages, and then answer the questions:
   1. Recalling Genesis 1 presents family as part of God’s blessing, not a burden. How does that challenge or affirm how our culture talks about family?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
   2. We see in Psalm 127 that children are a heritage, not a project.  How does that shift the way parents approach success, discipline, or expectations?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
   3. Read Psalm 78.  The emphasis is telling the next generation.  What makes passing on faith feel intimidating today?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)

CONNECTION

1. Why do you think we often confuse “healthy” with “perfect” when it comes to families?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
2. How do family struggles—marriage tension, parenting stress, loneliness—affect the health of a church, even when they’re hidden?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)

Addendum: Marriage Groups

CONVERSATION

What does it practically look like for Jesus—not schedules, kids, or stress—to be at the center of our marriage right now?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)

CONSIDERATION

1. How have grace and forgiveness strengthened your marriage more than trying to fix each other ever has?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
2. How can husbands and wives encourage each other spiritually without it feeling forced or performance-based?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)

CONNECTION

1. When tension rises, what patterns tend to show up in your marriage—and what might mutual submission look like in that moment?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
2. What would it look like for this group to model marriages marked by humility, honesty, and grace?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)