Contest of Champions

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now theearth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, andthe Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
- Genesis 1:1

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But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the Lord God causedthe man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one ofthe man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God madea woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to theman.
The man said,
“This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called ‘woman,’
for she was taken out of man.”
That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, andthey become one flesh.
- Genesis 2

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Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals theLord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eatfrom any tree in the garden’?”
- Genesis 3:1

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Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled atSokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah.Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew uptheir battle line to meet the Philistines. The Philistines occupied one hilland the Israelites another, with the valley between them. A champion namedGoliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was sixcubits and a span. He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scalearmor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; on his legs he wore bronzegreaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. His spear shaft was like aweaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearerwent ahead of him
- 1 Samuel 17:1-7

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David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword andspear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, theGod of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”
- 1 Samuel 17

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“See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”
- Malachi 4:6

Mixer

What was the turning point that led you to view God as your Father?

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Neighborly - Daily Devotional

To get the Daily Devotionals delivered to you every morning, text ‘dailydevotional’ to 97000.

1. In the 6/12/23 entry, Psalms For The Summer - 2023, Pastor Ken states that “We have the riches of God’s Word....” What is your relationship with God’s Word? Do you ignore it, fear it, doubt it, cherish it, or something else? How does God’s Word make you rich? How have you found that the testimonies of old are actually relevant to life today? What are your thoughts about “opening your mouth” to help someone else experience the parallels and the hope you found in God’s Word?

2.    In the 6/14/23 entry, Grace And Discipline, Pastor Harry makes this statement in regards to our sin: God is generous with His grace and thorough with His discipline – not to pay you back... but to bring you back: to Himself. What parallel do you draw between sin/rebellion/disobedience in your life and this account from Psalm 80? What truths can you see in your actions and the consequences? What is the difference between God’s discipline and punishment? As you examine your situation, how did God’s grace and discipline make a difference in your standing with God?

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Sermon Questions

Scriptures: Genesis 1:1, 2:20-24, 3:1; 1 Samuel 17:1-7, 17:45; Malachi 4:5-6

1. According to Pastor Jared, what was David’s motivation for fighting the battle in the Valley of Elah? How can you use David’s motivating force to fight your own battles? What battles will you choose to fight and which ones will you avoid so you don’t squander your energy?
2. Read Genesis 2:20-24 and Genesis 3:1. Pastor Jared provided scripture to show the symbolic connection and similar divine mystery shared between the Trinity (3-in-1) and marriage (2-in-1). Have you ever considered this connection before? How does it change the dynamic between you and your spouse? How might you re-work communication with your spouse?
3. Think about the similarities of Goliath’s description in 1 Samuel 17:1-7 (specific to 666) and the evil coming against the nation of Israel. Have you ever considered these similarities? How can you prepare for battle on your family’s behalf?
4. Read Malachi 4:5-6. For those who feel they have reached an impasse with a family member, how does this scripture give you hope? What can you do with Jesus’ grace and power to Go First that you can’t do on your own?
5. Pastor Jared asked us a question: What is it that you’ve been passive about? How will you passionately step into the contest of champions to advance spiritual things in your home? How will you fight for future generations in your family?

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Serve

Go First as a Table Group and make an impact on our community! Here are some ways you can serve and a link below for more:

• Interfaith Community Services needs people to remove some trees at the new family shelter ASAP. Contact: mita@thechurchrb.org

• Alabaster Jar needs 2-3 people to help with yard work any day after 9am. Contact: mita@thechurchrb.org
• Help set up for our new high school Rise Wednesdays from 3-4pm. Come once, come weekly, or come monthly! Contact: matthew@thechurchrb.org

Check out more projects available here.

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Pray

Pray this week over all the teachers, and other educational and school staff, who all reached the end of another adventurous school year! Pray for their rest and rejuvenation this summer, and pray heaps of affirmations to be upon them for answering the call to shepherd our precious next generation. May the power of the sweet memories made at the end of the year and heartfelt goodbyes diminish the difficulties and create hopeful and enthusiastic momentum for a new school year to come!

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

- Mark 6:3-4

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