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Follow us on: Facebook: agapechurchslo Instagram: @agapechurchslo Website: agapeslo.church

Follow us on: Facebook: agapechurchslo Instagram: @agapechurchslo Website: agapeslo.church Key Scriptures: Exodus 3:1-5 John 15:14-16 Acts 4:13

GROW: Five Essentials Every Christian Needs Over the past four weeks, we have explored four essential disciplines of spiritual growth. Growing Through the Word of God – as it reveals the true nature of God and His wisdom, principles and purposes for living a fruitful and faithful life. We grow through the Word as we hear, trust, and obey what God has said. Growing Through Our Prayer Life– to live in communion and communication with Him, – to grow in gratitude and thanksgiving; to learn about the authority God has given us; to trust His promises and bring the power and revelation of God’s kingdom into our own living situations; to release God’s wisdom, healing and peace into our world.  Growing Through Service  - Serving develops us, builds relationships, opens the door for reciprocal help and assistance; - expands our skills, and produces joy and gratitude within us and in others.  Growing Through Stewardship – We discover that we have been blessed to be a blessing. God has given  us gifts and talents according to our designed purpose. We grow through stewardship as we faithfully manage everything God has entrusted to us. Today, we come to the fifth essential: WORSHIP  And worship brings every other essential together. Reading the Bible can be worship. Prayer can be a form of worship. Service can be worship. Giving can be worship. In Addition: Singing can be worship. Obedience can be worship. Forgiveness can be worship. Waiting can be worship. SLIDE #3 Worship is not merely one part of the Christian life. Worship is the orientation of the entire Christian life toward God. WHERE IT ALL BEGAN – EXODUS THE “OVERARCHING STORY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT PASTOR JAMES COVERED SOME OF THIS LAST WEEK - IN THE BEGINNING, God desired a family on earth – to reveal Himself to the rest of humanity – he chose the children of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob. In the course of time, they found themselves enslaved and abused under the control of Egypt – for 400 years. And God said, “enough” and brought the children of Israel out of Egypt. Next ,He began transforming them by getting the culture of Egypt out  of them.  1. GOD BROUGHT THEM OUT — SO HE COULD BRING THEM TO HIMSELF Exodus 3:12 NASB And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” Pharoah said – You belong to me But God said, No, You belong to Me – and I am going to bring you to Myself through worship Worship is the pathway of freedom and deliverance into a true relationship with God. Worship is not God demanding attention because He needs our praise; Worship is God inviting us into relationship because He desires our hearts. Exodus 19:4–6 “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ Key thought: Deliverance has a destination — His presence. God wasn’t merely interested in changing their circumstances. He wanted to reveal Himself to them and establish relationship with them.   Through the wilderness, God gave them the design for a Tabernacle – a Dwelling place so He could go with them and lead them. He would manifest His Presence there. Moses would go there nightly and stand before him. He would linger in his Presence. Through dwelling with God and encountering Him through worship, Moses became a friend of God. Moses declared in Ex 33 – If your presence doesn’t come with me, I don’t want to go anywhere. Sometimes we come to God primarily because we want Him to change something: Change my circumstances. Heal my body. Fix my family. Provide financially. Give me direction. And God certainly cares about those things. But eventually, mature faith learns to say: “God, I don’t just want what You can give me. I want You.”  How about our Heavenly Father – He rescued you and me from a mess so we could have fellowship – a relationship with Him…. But we often only go to Him with problems more than gratitude or appreciation for who He is LET’S DIVE DEEPER INTO THE DEFINITION 2. Worship Begins by Recognizing the Value and Ultimate Worth of God The English word worship comes from an older expression related to worth or worthiness. Worship is the acknowledgment of worth. To worship God is to declare: “You are valuable beyond comparison.” “You deserve my attention and affection.” “You deserve my trust and my obedience.” “You deserve my whole life.” The great commandment can be our instruction for worship: to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.” Jesus quoted it from the Old Testament in Mark 12:30.  Meaning of the Commandment • Heart: Your core emotions, desires, and deepest affections.  • Soul: Your life force, spiritual identity, and essential existence. • Mind: Your intellect, thoughts, and understanding applied to learning truth.  • Strength: Your physical energy, resources, and active service is to love t 3. Worship is not only a religious activity. Everyone worships something. Worship is what happens when we assign ultimate value to someone or something. Whatever receives your highest devotion, deepest trust, strongest affection, and greatest sacrifice is functioning as an object of worship. Some people worship success. - They sacrifice health, relationships, integrity, and peace to achieve it. Some worship approval. - They change who they are depending on who is in the room. Some worship comfort. They will obey God as long as obedience does not become inconvenient. Some worship control. - They struggle to trust anyone—including God—with an outcome they cannot manage. Some worship money. - It becomes the place where they seek security, identity, and power. Some worship themselves. - Every decision revolves around personal preference, personal pleasure, and personal advancement. The question is not whether you worship. The question is What holds the highest place and gets greatest priority in your life? 4. So How Are We Supposed To Worship? The Old Testament Hebrew word shachah carries the idea of bowing down, prostrating oneself, showing reverence and submission. The New Testament Greek word proskuneō likewise carries the idea of bowing before or reverencing someone. So worship is much bigger than singing. A working definition:  Worship is the response of our whole being to the revelation of who God is. (repeat)  God reveals Himself. Our hearts respond in awe. Our lives yield and we bow in respect and honor.  Our souls worship. That response may involve: Singing Raising our hands Kneeling Silence Prayer Surrender Serving Giving Thanksgiving Serving But none of these actions automatically constitute worship. We can sing without worshiping. We can raise our hands without surrendering our hearts. We can say the right words while our hearts are somewhere else. WORSHIP IS ULTIMATELY ABOUT THE HEART RESPONDING TO GOD. Illust - CAMBODIA 2007 – youth from surrounding villages – teaching on worship for 3days- – P James &  Jeff B… The Holy Spirit Fell – and we saw young people singing, kneeling, praying, weeping , confessing -  with  hands extended for a couple hours – then breakthrough came – a HS refreshing - rejoicing, jumping and dancing – All the expressions of worship through  young people newly exposed to the Presence of God for a couple hours 5.Worship is more than the songs we sing; it is the daily surrender of our whole lives in response to who God is and what He has done. Worship is aligning our values and actions so people see Jesus in us. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1; NIV Worship is honoring Jesus for who He is and all He has done and is doing. Worship does not begin when the first note is played and does not end when the final song is over. Worship is honoring Jesus by reflecting Him. His life radiates from us and is contagious. In Acts 4 the religious leaders could recognize the disciples had been with Jesus – they saw the boldness and courage 6.Worship effects our lifestyle and impacts those around us When you leave this building, worship continues in the way you speak to your family. Worship continues in the decisions you make when no one is watching. Worship continues in the way you conduct business. Worship continues in how you respond to disappointment. Worship continues in the way you manage your body, your time, your relationships, and your resources. It’s a Lifestyle Worship can involve sacrifice as we yield to circumstances inconvenient and uncomfortable – obeying what is right versus what is easy Worship continues when obedience costs you something. Worship continues when God’s plan is different from yours. The real test of worship is not only whether you will sing when the music is playing. The real test is whether you will surrender when life is not going according to your plan. This is where worship leads us - so we can surrender control and welcome God’s active presence, power, and transformation through the Holy Spirit into our daily lives. Away from distraction. Away from self-reliance. Away from the need to control everything. Away from living with ourselves at the center. Worship puts God back in His rightful place. And when God returns to the center, everything else begins to find its proper place. II. GOD SEEKS TRUE WORSHIPPERS – THE WOMAN AT THE WELL Slide #10 A.TRUE WORSHIPPERS  - John 4:23–24:“The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true  worshipers will wors

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What does it mean to truly live out our faith rather than simply carry the label of believer? This message digs into one of the most transformative truths of the Christian life: we were not rescued merely to sit still and consume, but to serve. Drawing from the story of Moses in Exodus 3, we explore how God saw the suffering of his people, heard their cries, and then chose to work through an unlikely, self-doubting man to bring deliverance. The profound insight here is that God did not need Moses, yet he chose to involve him. That same principle applies to us. God, who lacks nothing, still chooses to work through our lives, our gifts, our experiences, and our availability. The question is not whether we have something to contribute. The question is whether what God has placed in us will ever be made available through us. Service, understood this way, is not a burden or an obligation. It is the natural outflow of a life that has been genuinely transformed by grace. When we serve, something shifts. Others are helped, God is glorified, the community of faith grows stronger, and we ourselves grow in ways we could not have anticipated. This message challenges us to move from a consumer mindset, always asking what we can receive, to a kingdom mindset, asking how God can work through us to strengthen those around us.

How the Bible builds strong faith

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Follow us on: Facebook: agapechurchslo Instagram: @agapechurchslo Website: agape.church BUILT TO LAST – God’s Plan for Love, Marriage & Family Week 6 | Rebuilt by Grace: When Relationships Are Broken There was a house that had been abandoned for years. The foundation was cracked… The windows were shattered… The inside was worn down by time and neglect… Most people walked by and said, “It’s too far gone.” But then a builder came along and said, “I don’t see what it is… I see what it can become.” Months later, that same house— that people had written off— was restored, renewed, and beautiful again. And here’s the truth: Some of you feel like that house. Something broke; Something didn’t last; Something didn’t go the way you planned  And deep down, you’re wondering… “Is it too far gone?” If you’ve ever felt like your relationships, your past, or even your family story is broken… This message is for you. Because the God we serve is not just a builder… He is also a rebuilder. FOUNDATIONAL SCRIPTURE Joel 2:25 (ESV) I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. Not just forgive… Not just cover… BUT Restore. POINT 1: BROKENNESS IS REAL — BUT IT’S NOT FINAL Let’s be honest: Divorce is real; Loss is real; Betrayal is real; Regret is real  Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. God doesn’t ignore brokenness… He moves toward it BIG IDEA… Brokenness may be part of your story, but BROKENNESS DOES NOT HAVE TO BE THE END OF YOUR STORY. POINT 2: GRACE IS GREATER THAN YOUR PAST Some people live trapped in: guilt; shame; regret  Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. The enemy says: “You blew it.” BUT God says: “I can rebuild it.” Isaiah 43:18–19 Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. BIG IDEA… Grace doesn’t just forgive your past — GRACE FREES YOUR FUTURE. POINT 3: GOD SPECIALIZES IN RESTORATION 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! New doesn’t mean patched up… It means transformed John 21:15–17 (Peter restored) Peter denied Jesus… publicly… And Jesus didn’t disqualify him… He restored him. BIG IDEA… God doesn’t just use perfect people — GOD RESTORES BROKEN PEOPLE. POINT 4: HEALING REQUIRES HONESTY AND SURRENDER Healing doesn’t happen through avoidance… Healing happens through surrender. James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. What you hide… God cannot heal. Proverbs 28:13 Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. BIG IDEA… HEALING BEGINS WHERE HONESTY MEETS SURRENDER. POINT 5: YOUR STORY CAN STILL BE REDEEMED Some of you believe: “I missed it.” “It’s too late.” “This wasn’t God’s plan…” But hear me clearly: God is not limited to your mistakes. Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Not that everything was good… But God can work it for good BIG IDEA… God can TAKE WHAT WAS BROKEN and BUILD SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL. PRACTICAL TOOLS FOR HEALING & RESTORATION 1. BRING YOUR PAIN TO GOD HONESTLY Don’t filter it; Don’t hide it  God heals what you surrender. 2. RELEASE SHAME and RECEIVE GRACE Stop rehearsing your failures… Start receiving God’s truth  Shame keeps you stuck—grace moves you forward. 3. PURSUE HEALTHY COMMUNITY Don’t isolate… Invite support Healing happens in community. 4. FORGIVE — even when it’s hard Others… Yourself Forgiveness frees you, not just them. 5. TAKE THE NEXT RIGHT STEP Not perfection… Progress You don’t rebuild everything at once—just the next step. CLOSING MOMENT Some of you walked into this series feeling like: “This doesn’t apply to me…” “My story is too messy…” “I’ve already messed it up…” But today… God is reminding you: I’m not finished with you. Your marriage may be struggling… Your past may be painful… Your family story may be complicated… But none of that disqualifies you from: God’s grace; God’s healing; God’s restoration ALTAR / RESPONSE “God, heal what’s broken in me.”  “Restore what I thought was lost.”  “Help me release shame and receive Your grace.”  DECLARATION I am not disqualified. I am not beyond repair. I am not too far gone. I am being restored by God. And what God rebuilds… will last!

Follow us on: Facebook: agapechurchslo Instagram: @agapechurchslo Website: agape.church BUILT TO LAST – God’s Plan for Love, Marriage & Family Week 6 | Rebuilt by Grace: When Relationships Are Broken There was a house that had been abandoned for years. The foundation was cracked… The windows were shattered… The inside was worn down by time and neglect… Most people walked by and said, “It’s too far gone.” But then a builder came along and said, “I don’t see what it is… I see what it can become.” Months later, that same house— that people had written off— was restored, renewed, and beautiful again. And here’s the truth: Some of you feel like that house. Something broke; Something didn’t last; Something didn’t go the way you planned  And deep down, you’re wondering… “Is it too far gone?” If you’ve ever felt like your relationships, your past, or even your family story is broken… This message is for you. Because the God we serve is not just a builder… He is also a rebuilder. FOUNDATIONAL SCRIPTURE Joel 2:25 (ESV) I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. Not just forgive… Not just cover… BUT Restore. POINT 1: BROKENNESS IS REAL — BUT IT’S NOT FINAL Let’s be honest: Divorce is real; Loss is real; Betrayal is real; Regret is real  Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. God doesn’t ignore brokenness… He moves toward it BIG IDEA… Brokenness may be part of your story, but BROKENNESS DOES NOT HAVE TO BE THE END OF YOUR STORY. POINT 2: GRACE IS GREATER THAN YOUR PAST Some people live trapped in: guilt; shame; regret  Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. The enemy says: “You blew it.” BUT God says: “I can rebuild it.” Isaiah 43:18–19 Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. BIG IDEA… Grace doesn’t just forgive your past — GRACE FREES YOUR FUTURE. POINT 3: GOD SPECIALIZES IN RESTORATION 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! New doesn’t mean patched up… It means transformed John 21:15–17 (Peter restored) Peter denied Jesus… publicly… And Jesus didn’t disqualify him… He restored him. BIG IDEA… God doesn’t just use perfect people — GOD RESTORES BROKEN PEOPLE. POINT 4: HEALING REQUIRES HONESTY AND SURRENDER Healing doesn’t happen through avoidance… Healing happens through surrender. James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. What you hide… God cannot heal. Proverbs 28:13 Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. BIG IDEA… HEALING BEGINS WHERE HONESTY MEETS SURRENDER. POINT 5: YOUR STORY CAN STILL BE REDEEMED Some of you believe: “I missed it.” “It’s too late.” “This wasn’t God’s plan…” But hear me clearly: God is not limited to your mistakes. Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Not that everything was good… But God can work it for good BIG IDEA… God can TAKE WHAT WAS BROKEN and BUILD SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL. PRACTICAL TOOLS FOR HEALING & RESTORATION 1. BRING YOUR PAIN TO GOD HONESTLY Don’t filter it; Don’t hide it  God heals what you surrender. 2. RELEASE SHAME and RECEIVE GRACE Stop rehearsing your failures… Start receiving God’s truth  Shame keeps you stuck—grace moves you forward. 3. PURSUE HEALTHY COMMUNITY Don’t isolate… Invite support Healing happens in community. 4. FORGIVE — even when it’s hard Others… Yourself Forgiveness frees you, not just them. 5. TAKE THE NEXT RIGHT STEP Not perfection… Progress You don’t rebuild everything at once—just the next step. CLOSING MOMENT Some of you walked into this series feeling like: “This doesn’t apply to me…” “My story is too messy…” “I’ve already messed it up…” But today… God is reminding you: I’m not finished with you. Your marriage may be struggling… Your past may be painful… Your family story may be complicated… But none of that disqualifies you from: God’s grace; God’s healing; God’s restoration ALTAR / RESPONSE “God, heal what’s broken in me.”  “Restore what I thought was lost.”  “Help me release shame and receive Your grace.”  DECLARATION I am not disqualified. I am not beyond repair. I am not too far gone. I am being restored by God. And what God rebuilds… will last!

BUILT TO LAST – God’s Plan for Love, Marriage & Family Week 5 | Built at Home: Raising the Next Generation God’s Way A parent once said, “I just want my kids to turn out right.” And every parent in the room felt that. But here’s the tension… We want: respectful kids || responsible kids || faith-filled kids  …but we’re raising them in a world that is constantly discipling them in the opposite direction. And if we’re honest… Most parents feel overwhelmed; Some feel underqualified; And many are just trying to survive the day. But here’s the truth: Parenting is not just about raising good kids… it’s about building God-centered lives. If your family is going to be Built to Last, you cannot outsource what God has assigned to you. OUR FOUNDATIONAL SCRIPTURE IS FOUND IN… Deuteronomy 6:6–7 (ESV) And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Not occasionally; Not accidentally… but Diligently! POINT 1: PARENTS ARE THE PRIMARY DISCIPLERS Culture says: “Let the school teach them” and “Let the church raise them spiritually”  But God says: “You teach them.” Psalm 78:5–7 He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. The church supports… Schools assist.. But Parents disciple BIG IDEA… If you don’t lead your children spiritually, culture will step in and lead them for you. If you don’t lead your children in truth, don’t be surprised when culture leads them into confusion. POINT 2: WHAT YOU MODEL MATTERS MORE THAN WHAT YOU SAY Kids listen in a different way that you expect… KIDS LISTEN BY WATCHING. Proverbs 20:7 The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him! Your children will learn more from how you respond; how you treat people; how you handle pressure… than from what you say in when you’re lecturing them. BIG IDEA… The life you live teaches your children more than the words you speak. What your children see in you will speak louder than what they hear from you. POINT 3: DISCIPLINE IS TRAINING, NOT PUNISHMENT Many people confuse discipline with punishment. Punishment reacts; Discipline trains Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Hebrews 12:11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Discipline is not about control; DISCIPLINE IS ABOUT FORMATION BIG IDEA… If all you do is stop bad behavior without forming godly character, you you miss the point and haven’t reached the real goal. The goal parenting God’s way is not just about correcting wrong behavior, but helping shape godly character. POINT 4: BUILD FAITH INTO EVERYDAY LIFE Many parents think: “If we go to church… we’re good.” But faith is not meant to “live in” or “live at” a building. Deuteronomy 6:7 (continued) You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Faith is in conversations; in car rides; in daily life  BIG IDEA… Faith is not just for Sunday—it belongs in everyday life. Faith is not just something we practice once a week—it should shape how we live every day. POINT 5: YOUR GOAL IS NOT CONTROL—IT’S PREPARATION You don’t raise children to control their lives forever… You raise them to release them into life, equipped with the tools, wisdom, and faith God has entrusted you to impart to them. Psalm 127:4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Arrows are not meant to stay in your hand… Arrows are meant to be launched! BIG IDEA… Parenting is preparation for purpose—not permanent control. The goal of parenting is not lifelong control, but raising children who are ready to walk in God’s purpose for their lives. PRACTICAL TOOLS FOR BIBLICAL PARENTING 1. CREATE CONSISTENT SPIRITUAL RHYTHMS Pray together; Read Scripture together  Consistency builds your family culture. 2. HAVE INTENTIONAL CONVERSATIONS Ask about their day; Speak truth into their lives  Don’t just manage behavior—shape hearts. 3. BE AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE IN THEIR CHARACTER Integrity; Faith; Kindness  Children will mirror what they see. 4. DISCIPLINE WITH PURPOSE, NOT EMOTION Stay calm and Be consistent  Correction should build your child, not break their spirit. 5. REGULARLY REMIND YOUR CHILDREN WHO THEY ARE Speak life; Consistently affirm your children’s value, character, and God-given identity! Their Christ Identity anchors their future. Some of you feel like you’re not doing enough… But hear me: God didn’t call you to be a perfect parent BUT He did call you to be a present and intentional parent. And what you build in your home today… will echo into generations to come! CONSISTENT PRAYER MOVING FORWARD… “God, help me lead my home spiritually.”  “Give me wisdom and patience as a parent.”  “God, heal where I’ve fallen short and strengthen where I feel weak.”  DECLARATION My home will not be shaped by culture. My children will not be raised by accident. My family will be built on God’s truth. And what is built in my home… will last for generations. In Jesus’ Name!

Follow us on: Facebook: agapechurchslo Instagram: @agapechurchslo Website: agape.church BUILT TO LAST – God’s Plan for Love, Marriage & Family Week 5 | Built at Home: Raising the Next Generation God’s Way A parent once said, “I just want my kids to turn out right.” And every parent in the room felt that. But here’s the tension… We want: respectful kids || responsible kids || faith-filled kids  …but we’re raising them in a world that is constantly discipling them in the opposite direction. And if we’re honest… Most parents feel overwhelmed; Some feel underqualified; And many are just trying to survive the day. But here’s the truth: Parenting is not just about raising good kids… it’s about building God-centered lives. If your family is going to be Built to Last, you cannot outsource what God has assigned to you. OUR FOUNDATIONAL SCRIPTURE IS FOUND IN… Deuteronomy 6:6–7 (ESV) And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Not occasionally; Not accidentally… but Diligently! POINT 1: PARENTS ARE THE PRIMARY DISCIPLERS Culture says: “Let the school teach them” and “Let the church raise them spiritually”  But God says: “You teach them.” Psalm 78:5–7 He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. The church supports… Schools assist.. But Parents disciple BIG IDEA… If you don’t lead your children spiritually, culture will step in and lead them for you. If you don’t lead your children in truth, don’t be surprised when culture leads them into confusion. POINT 2: WHAT YOU MODEL MATTERS MORE THAN WHAT YOU SAY Kids listen in a different way that you expect… KIDS LISTEN BY WATCHING. Proverbs 20:7 The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him! Your children will learn more from how you respond; how you treat people; how you handle pressure… than from what you say in when you’re lecturing them. BIG IDEA… The life you live teaches your children more than the words you speak. What your children see in you will speak louder than what they hear from you. POINT 3: DISCIPLINE IS TRAINING, NOT PUNISHMENT Many people confuse discipline with punishment. Punishment reacts; Discipline trains Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Hebrews 12:11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Discipline is not about control; DISCIPLINE IS ABOUT FORMATION BIG IDEA… If all you do is stop bad behavior without forming godly character, you you miss the point and haven’t reached the real goal. The goal parenting God’s way is not just about correcting wrong behavior, but helping shape godly character. POINT 4: BUILD FAITH INTO EVERYDAY LIFE Many parents think: “If we go to church… we’re good.” But faith is not meant to “live in” or “live at” a building. Deuteronomy 6:7 (continued) You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Faith is in conversations; in car rides; in daily life  BIG IDEA… Faith is not just for Sunday—it belongs in everyday life. Faith is not just something we practice once a week—it should shape how we live every day. POINT 5: YOUR GOAL IS NOT CONTROL—IT’S PREPARATION You don’t raise children to control their lives forever… You raise them to release them into life, equipped with the tools, wisdom, and faith God has entrusted you to impart to them. Psalm 127:4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Arrows are not meant to stay in your hand… Arrows are meant to be launched! BIG IDEA… Parenting is preparation for purpose—not permanent control. The goal of parenting is not lifelong control, but raising children who are ready to walk in God’s purpose for their lives. PRACTICAL TOOLS FOR BIBLICAL PARENTING 1. CREATE CONSISTENT SPIRITUAL RHYTHMS Pray together; Read Scripture together  Consistency builds your family culture. 2. HAVE INTENTIONAL CONVERSATIONS Ask about their day; Speak truth into their lives  Don’t just manage behavior—shape hearts. 3. BE AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE IN THEIR CHARACTER Integrity; Faith; Kindness  Children will mirror what they see. 4. DISCIPLINE WITH PURPOSE, NOT EMOTION Stay calm and Be consistent  Correction should build your child, not break their spirit. 5. REGULARLY REMIND YOUR CHILDREN WHO THEY ARE Speak life; Consistently affirm your children’s value, character, and God-given identity! Their Christ Identity anchors their future. Some of you feel like you’re not doing enough… But hear me: God didn’t call you to be a perfect parent BUT He did call you to be a present and intentional parent. And what you build in your home today… will echo into generations to come! CONSISTENT PRAYER MOVING FORWARD… “God, help me lead my home spiritually.”  “Give me wisdom and patience as a parent.”  “God, heal where I’ve fallen short and strengthen where I feel weak.”  DECLARATION My home will not be shaped by culture. My children will not be raised by accident. My family will be built on God’s truth. And what is built in my home… will last for generations. In Jesus’ Name!

BUILT TO LAST – God’s Plan for Love, Marriage & Family Week 4 | Built to Last: Leaving a Godly Legacy {CORE VALUE: Agape Church – The things we BUILD FOR GOD should OUTLIVE US} Because whether we realize it or not… We are all building something that will outlive us. TRANSITION If your life and family are going to be Built to Last, you have to stop thinking just about today… …and start building for generations. FOUNDATIONAL SCRIPTURE Psalm 78:4 (ESV) We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. Faith was never meant to stop with you. It was meant to flow through you. POINT 1: LEGACY IS BUILT, NOT LEFT Many people think legacy is something you leave when you die. But legacy is something you build while you live. Proverbs 13:22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous. That inheritance is not just financial… it’s spiritual, it’s relational, and it’s generational. BIG IDEA… YOU ARE BUILDING A LEGACY RIGHT NOW—WHETHER YOU REALIZE IT OR NOT. The question is not: “Will I leave a legacy?” The question is: “What kind of legacy am I building?” POINT 2: WHAT YOU PASS DOWN MATTERS MORE THAN WHAT YOU PASS ON We focus on: Money, success, opportunities  But God focuses on: Faith, character, truth  Deuteronomy 6:6–7 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You don’t just pass down possessions… You pass down priorities. BIG IDEA… WHAT YOU LIVE CONSISTENTLY WILL BE WHAT YOUR CHILDREN REMEMBER PERMANENTLY. POINT 3: MULTI-GENERATIONAL FAITH IS GOD’S DESIGN Psalm 145:4 One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. God never intended for faith to be: one generation deep He designed it to be: multi-generational 2 Timothy 1:5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. Faith was passed down, Modeled and it Multiplied BIG IDEA… A STRONG FAMILY IS NOT BUILT IN ONE GENERATION — IT’S STRENGTHENED ACROSS GENERATIONS. POINT 4: YOU CAN MAKE CHANGES THAT POSITIVELY IMPACT THE LEGACY Some people hear this and think: “But my family didn’t pass down anything good…” But here’s the power of the Gospel: You can be the starting point. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. You don’t have to repeat what you inherited… You can rebuild what was broken. BIG IDEA… IN CHRIST, YOU DON’T HAVE TO CONTINUE THE PATTERN—YOU CAN CHANGE IT. POINT 5: FINISH STRONGER THAN YOU STARTED It’s not just how you start… It’s how you finish. Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us… A Godly legacy requires: consistency, endurance, and, intentionality  BIG IDEA… A STRONG FINISH CREATES A LASTING LEGACY. PRACTICAL TOOLS FOR BUILDING A GODLY LEGACY 1. CLARIFY YOUR FAMILY VALUES (POST THEM, IF YOU CAN) What matters most? What will define your home? [BECAUSE…] What is clear gets built. 2. TALK ABOUT GOD REGULARLY Share testimonies; Talk about His faithfulness. [BECAUSE…] Stories shape legacy. 3. LIVE WHAT YOU BELIEVE Integrity; Faith in action. [BECAUSE…] Consistency builds credibility. 4. INVEST IN THE NEXT GENERATION INTENTIONALLY Time; Conversations; Mentorship. [BECAUSE…] Legacy requires investment. 5. BREAK WHAT NEEDS TO BE BROKEN Toxic patterns; Generational dysfunction. [BECAUSE…] We don’t pass down what God wants to heal. CLOSING MOMENT One day… Everything we’ve built will speak. Your life will preach a message… even when you’re no longer here. [THE QUESTION IS…] Will it say: “Success… but no substance?” Or will it say: “Faith… that changed generations?” Because at the end of the day… The greatest thing you can leave behind is not something in their hands… THE GREATEST THING YOU CAN LEAVE BEHIND IT’S SOMETHING IN THEIR HEARTS. CONSISTENT PRAYER MOVING FORWARD… “God, help me build a legacy that honors You.”  “Use my life to impact generations.”  “Break what needs to be broken and build what needs to last.”  DECLARATION My life will not be lived for the moment. My family will not drift without direction. My legacy will be built on faith. And what is built on faith anchored in the finished work of Jesus… will outlive me for generations!

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