November 2013 Theme
It was a cool, fall afternoon and we had a couple hours of free time, so we grabbed my phone and decided to find a nearby geocache. The GPS coordinates led us to some greenspace in the back of a neighborhood. Although we were determined to find this geocache, it was hidden well and we started to feel conspicuous hunting behind people’s backyards. It became very awkward when one mom and her son came out of their house, and we were sure they were watching us push through the tall grass and leaves. We were just about to give up when the boy approached us and asked if we were looking for something. We explained and he smiled, waved to his mom, and said “I hid that geocache and you’ll never find it on your own. Let me help you.”
This young geocacher knew exactly what we should do to find the cache. When we followed his wisdom, we successfully found what we’d been seeking. So much of life is that way, too. When we look for wisdom and actually follow it, we’ll make better decisions in life.
Wisdom is finding out what you should do and doing it. When we seek wisdom and ask God for it, He will give it to us. He will help us figure out the wise choice when we need to make a decision. We can find God’s wisdom by reading the Bible and asking trusted Christ-followers.
The monthly memory verse is: “Choose my teaching instead of silver. Choose knowledge rather than fine gold. Wisdom is worth more than rubies. Nothing you want can compare with her,” Proverbs 8:10-11, NIrV. No matter how big or small the decision, God will help you make the wise choice. It might be tempting to compromise wisdom for quick and easy gain, but Solomon teaches us that choosing wisdom first is best.
In Week One’s Bible story, God was pleased with King Solomon and offered to give him whatever he wanted. Solomon asked for wisdom (1 Kings 3:4-15) and was rewarded. Our Bottom Line is: God wants to give you wisdom. Anytime we have a decision to make or a situation we aren’t sure how to handle, we can ask God for wisdom.
In Week Two’s biblical principle, Solomon, the wisest person who ever lived, teaches us to choose our words wisely. “Thoughtless words cut like a sword. But the tongue of wise people brings healing,” (Proverbs 12:18). Our Bottom Line is: If you want to be wise, think before you speak. When we’re upset or emotional, we may be tempted to blurt out hurtful words that we might regret after we’ve calmed down. Speaking without thinking can cause damage. But wise words can help.
In Week Three’s Bible story, King Rehoboam needed to make an important decision (1 Kings 12:1-15a). The king decided to follow his buddies’ advice, and his decision led to a split in the nation of Israel. Our Bottom Line is: If you want to be wise, hang out with wise people. Proverbs 13:20 says: “Anyone who walks with wise people grows wise. But a companion of foolish people suffers harm.”
In Week Four’s Bible story, King Josiah was very young when he started ruling (2 Kings 22-23). He could have followed in the footsteps of the kings before him and disobeyed God’s law. But when he found God’s words, he realized this was not wise. Our Bottom Line is: If you want to be wise, look before you leap. Proverbs 22:3 says: “Wise people see danger and go to a safe place. But childish people keep going and suffer for it.”
By Jessica McKee ©2013 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. www.ThinkOrange.com *Used by permission.
Operation Christmas Child
We are taking part in something called Operation Christmas Child. People across the country will fill shoe boxes with small toys, school supplies, hygiene items and other gifts. With your $7 donation (placed inside the box), this Christmas season, a child overseas will receive your shoebox along with literature explaining the good news of Jesus in their language.
Want to pay online and find out specifically out where your box goes? By making your donation online here using a credit or debit card you will receive a special shoe box label included in your e-mail receipt. Print or copy the label as many times as you need to attach to each of your boxes.
Want to know more? Check out how one young man’s life changed after receiving a box!
Please return the shoeboxes to us by Sunday, November 22 (the Sunday before Thanksgiving). And we’ll get them to the collection place.
Questions? Comment below or contact us for more info–or see Cindi or Jeff on Sunday and/or pick up a brochure in the lobby. If you’re interested, pick up a shoebox too!
Parent Cue for Sunday, October 27
Each week we supply a weekly Parent Cue for parents and God Time sheet for kids.
- The Parent Cue is meant to be a resource for you to discuss and reinforce the lesson with your kids.
- The God Time is intended to help kids learn to spend some quiet time with God on their own. (Of course, you’re welcome to help them and model it for them as they learn!)
We’re posting the upcoming week’s material for the lesson that will be taught this Sunday.
Parent Cue Discussion Spiritual Discussion Starter Sheet
For the lesson this coming week: Parent Cue October 27.
Haven’t gotten to this week’s yet? Check out the God Time October 20.
God Time Quiet Time Exercise for Kids
For the lesson this coming week: God Time October 27.
Haven’t gotten to this week’s yet? Check out the one for God Time October 20.
As always, instructions are here.
Our goal as a church is provide you with resources to help your children grow spiritually. We’re doing our best to make things simple and easy. Please feel free to give us feedback on this!
Open Mic
While not officially a Deep Water event, some of us are involved in the local music scene. One way that we can make our community a better place and connect with local people is to support local music. Everyone is invited! So, come check out the Open Mic at Espresso-N-Ice this Friday (October 25) at 6:45pm.
If you’re interested in performing, message Jeff on Facebook or sign up here if you want to play, etc.
Stop Praying: Young Adult Community Group
If you’re in the military, starting a career or going to college, we now have a place for you to connect with others in the same life stage and grow as a community. Join us on Thursday Nights at 8pm at Ian’s house where we’ll have a discussion based on Crazy Love. You don’t need to read the book (but you’re welcome to read it) since the discussion will be based on a video segment and some Bible verses.
Check out the video for this week, “Stop Praying”, here:
For more information and/or directions, contact Jeff or comment below!