Newshttp://www.reallifecommunity.com/news/en-US2010-07-31T22:38:40ZSquarespace Site Server v5.11.5 (http://www.squarespace.com/)Mid-Week Family Connect Activityhttp://www.reallifecommunity.com/news/2010/6/10/mid-week-family-connect-activity.htmlDebbie Coutts2010-06-10T14:53:38Z

Lesson Date: Sunday, June 6, 2010
Paul Explains Christians' Relationship With Christ
Bible Study: God's power saves us.

Link:
http://www.darnell.com/

Link:
http://www.eeproductcenter.com/powersources/

Link:
http://www.nuc.berkeley.edu/thyd/ne161/ncabreza/sources.html

Browse these websites that present facts about power.
• How do you suppose these sources of power measure against the power of God?

The Bible teaches that God's power saves us by his grace.
• What do you think this means?
• How can knowing about God's power give you confidence to trust in him for salvation? Explain.



]]>Mid-Week Family Connect Activityhttp://www.reallifecommunity.com/news/2010/5/25/mid-week-family-connect-activity.htmlDebbie Coutts2010-05-25T13:27:21ZLesson Date: Sunday, May 23, 2010 (Pentecost)
Paul Describes Genuine Love

Link:
http://www.poemofquotes.com/love-quotes.php

Link:
http://www.useful-information.info/quotations/love_quotes_2.html

Link:
http://www.famous-quotes-and-quotations.com/famous-love-quotes.html

Read the lyrics, quotes, and poems about love that are found at these websites. Then read 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.
• What are the differences between how we perceive love and how God gives love?

Discuss how you, as a family and as individuals, can show love.

]]>Mid-Week Family Connect Activityhttp://www.reallifecommunity.com/news/2010/5/18/mid-week-family-connect-activity.htmlDebbie Coutts2010-05-18T19:09:38Z
Lesson Date: May 16, 2010
Week 11: Paul’s Jailer Believes in Jesus (Acts 16:16-34)
Bible Study: Jesus saves us.

Link:
http://www.yougottabelieve.org/

Link:
http://www.bluepenguindevelopment.com/newsletters/2003_04_25.html

Link:
http://www.nbc10.com/nfl081/2756838/detail.html

What theme is common to all three of these sites? What sorts of things are people called upon to believe? Would you believe in a philosophy? How about an athletic team? Would you believe in Jesus? Why or why not?

Read Acts16:16-34. What did the jailer have to do to be saved? What must we do today to be saved?

At each URL given, the focus of the site was on the catch phrase "you gotta believe." Say that phrase together. Start softly and then speak louder as you repeat "you gotta believe" several times as a family.

How can you be saved? You know the answer: "You gotta believe!"

]]>Mid-Week Family Connect Activityhttp://www.reallifecommunity.com/news/2010/5/13/mid-week-family-connect-activity.htmlDebbie Coutts2010-05-13T13:06:15ZLesson Date: May 9, 2010
Week 10: Lydia Is Converted (Acts 16:9-15)
Bible Study: Be prepared to tell others about Jesus.

Link:
http://www1.salvationarmy.org/uss%5Cwww_uss_natcaparea.nsf/0/A284F323F080506785256DA70006D318?opendocument
As you read this article, think about how quickly a response to a need had to be made in this situation. What might have happened to some of the people who needed assistance if that help had been delayed? How important is response time when meeting needs?

Link:
http://www.bohmann.dk/articles/response_time_still_matters.html
Take a look at this article on computer response time. If computer users don't receive timely responses, what does this author predict will happen? When someone doesn’t receive a quick response, do you think this increases the potential for that person to lose interest? Explain your thoughts.

Read Acts 16:9-15. Then discuss the following questions as a family:
When Paul was called to meet the needs of people in Macedonia, he left immediately. Why do you think Paul responded so quickly?

What was Lydia seeking? Were her needs met? How? When?

Do you think it is important to tell others about Jesus? Why? What does this tell us about God’s priorities? When God calls, when should we answer?




]]>Mid-Week Family Connect Activityhttp://www.reallifecommunity.com/news/2010/5/5/mid-week-family-connect-activity.htmlDebbie Coutts2010-05-05T18:20:56ZLesson Date: May 2, 2010
Week 9: An Angel Frees Peter From Jail (Acts 12:1-18)
Bible Study: Angels protect and help God’s people.

Link:
http://www.dltk-bible.com/mangelposter.html
Click on this URL to view a selection of angel coloring pages. Younger members of the family may want to have the pages printed for coloring later. Compare the different artists' renditions of angels. What do you think angels really look like?

Link:
http://www.dltk-bible.com/angels/mconeangel.htm
Use the pattern given at this site to make an angel. Consider the following questions as you work:
What do you really know about angels?

Is your knowledge of angels based on biblical stories you have heard? Which ones?

Do you believe that angels make visits to earth today? Why or why not?

How do the acts of angels show God's power? How do they show God's love?

]]>Mid-Week Family Connect Activityhttp://www.reallifecommunity.com/news/2010/4/27/mid-week-family-connect-activity.htmlDebbie Coutts2010-04-28T05:14:41ZLesson Date: April 25, 2010
Week 8: Peter Raises Tabitha From the Dead (Acts 9:36-43)
Bible Study: God answers when we pray.

Link:
http://www.prayerrequestsite.com/
Browse this prayer site. You might take a few moments to pray for some of the people who have left prayer needs, or you can click on “Place a Prayer Request Here” to leave your own prayer request if you’d like. As a family, discuss what it means to have a prayer request. Name some times in which people have turned to prayer for resolution or help.

Link:
http://waxdog.com/pray/
Visit this prayer chain site and read some of the requests. You may want to pray for some of the people who have listed their needs there. What is a prayer chain? Does your church have one in place? Let family members share whether they would ever leave a request with a prayer team. Explore circumstances in which you might consider doing so.

Ask a family member to read Acts 9:36-43 aloud. Then consider the following questions:
How were the prayers in the city of Joppa answered in the passages you just read?

Does God answer prayers today? How?

Exchange prayer requests among family members. Promise to pray for each person's needs every time you think about it for a week. Set a time to get back together and learn how your prayers have been answered.

]]>Mid-Week Family Connect Activityhttp://www.reallifecommunity.com/news/2010/4/18/mid-week-family-connect-activity.htmlDebbie Coutts2010-04-18T21:04:31ZLesson Date: April 18, 2010
Week 7: Saul Meets Jesus Near Damascus (Acts 9:1-20)
Bible Study: God answers when we pray.

Link:
http://www.lieslnet.com/blog/2006/07/04/achieving-your-goals-part-i-goal-identification/

Link:
http://www.lieslnet.com/blog/2006/07/15/achieving-your-goals-ii-form-a-plan/

Link:
http://www.mindtools.com/page6.html

Browse these sites that offer plans and advice for goal planning. What are your life goals? Share these with each other.

Acts 9:1-20 describes Saul’s meeting with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Saul’s goals were dramatically altered at that point in his life. Discuss the following questions as a family:
Why were Saul’s life goals changed when he met Jesus?

How has knowing Jesus changed your goals? your life? Explain.

As a family, create a list of family goals that honor Jesus for changing your lives.

]]>Mid-Week Family Connect Activityhttp://www.reallifecommunity.com/news/2010/4/12/mid-week-family-connect-activity.htmlDebbie Coutts2010-04-12T23:00:36ZLesson Date: April 11, 2010
Week 6: Apostles Defend Their Faith (Acts 5:12-42)
Bible Study: Keep following God, even when it’s hard.

Link:
http://www.biblegateway.com/
Click on this URL to discover the Bible online. On the menu on the left, click “Passage Lookup,” then type in James 1:2-3 and select the Bible translation you would like to use. Then click “Search the Bible.” This will take you to a new screen where you can read the passage aloud. If you would like, click “Back” on your computer screen; then choose another translation and click “Search the Bible” again. Discuss the meaning of this verse. What does James tell Christians to do when their faith is tested?

Link:
http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/toc/modeng/public/KjvRoma.html
Check out this King James version of Romans from the Electronic Text Center, University of Virginia Library. Click on the link for Chapter 8 of Romans. Next, scroll down to verse 18 where suffering is compared to glory. What do think the “glory” is? Can you explain this glory?

Link:
http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/rsv.browse.html
The University of Virginia Library also offers an electronic Revised Standard Version of the Bible. Once you have clicked on this link, scroll down to the New Testament book of Matthew. Find Chapter 5 of Matthew and read verses 10-12. What should a Christian do in the face of trial or persecution?

Discuss the following as a family:
At what times do you find it most difficult to be a Christian?

What can you do at those times?

Pray: God, help us remember that when we find it hard to live as Christians, we can rejoice that you are our strength, our purpose, and our future.

]]>Mid-Week Family Connect Activityhttp://www.reallifecommunity.com/news/2010/4/5/mid-week-family-connect-activity.htmlDebbie Coutts2010-04-05T22:16:20ZLesson Date: April 4, 2010 (Easter Sunday)
Week 5: Jesus Appears to Mary (John 20:1-18)
Bible Study: The good news of Easter is that Jesus is alive.

Link:
http://www.kidzone.ws/animals/monarch_butterfly.htm

Link:
http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Butterflies/english/teach+games/index.html

Enjoy these Web sites that show pictures of butterflies. There are related jigsaw puzzles and coloring pages at the Kidzone site that younger members of the family will enjoy. You will find a butterfly gallery, question and answer section, and learning games at the Virtual Museum.

Discuss the following questions as a family:
How does a caterpillar in a pupa case remind you of Jesus in the tomb?

How does a butterfly emerging from the cocoon remind you of Jesus coming to life again after his crucifixion and burial?

Why was seeing Jesus alive good news for Mary? Why is it good news for people who live today?

Ask each family member to draw his or her favorite butterfly. Display the drawings in a prominent place to help the family remember the fact that Jesus rose from the dead and is alive! That’s the good news of Easter.


]]>Mid-Week Family Connect Activityhttp://www.reallifecommunity.com/news/2010/4/2/mid-week-family-connect-activity.htmlDebbie Coutts2010-04-02T14:35:38ZLesson Date: March 28, 2010
Week 3: Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet (John 13:1-17)
Bible Study: Jesus wants us to follow his example of serving others.

Link:
http://www.networkforgood.org/
Once you arrive at the Network for Good home page, click on the “Volunteer” button at the top of the screen. You will move to a page of volunteer ideas. Spend some time exploring the various areas of service described in this Web site. It lists many opportunities to give the gift of time.

Link:
http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/List-of-service-organizations
Check out this list of service organizations. Did you ever dream there were so many? Discuss whether any might be of interest to your family.

Link:
http://www.youthworks.com/workandministry.aspx
Enjoy surfing this site. First read about the mission, its projects and its purpose. Then click on the Testimonials icon to read some of the testimonials regarding the mission trips. You may not feel called to this particular effort, but it might help you think of other missionary projects that you could join.

Discuss some other acts of service that, as Christians, you can offer to others. Think about what you can do as an individual, a family, and as a part of your church.


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