Bethel Community Church Orlando

ESTHER // WEEK 1 // KING AND KINGDOM

Xerxes was the greatest king in the history of the world up to his day. However, his kingdom was filled with lavish parties where addictions were fed and women were mistreated. Xerxes created ungodly laws and saw himself as above the law. Whether past or present, all earthly rulers will leave people disappointed. Earthly rulers attempt to give people what they want; King Jesus gives people what they need. Jesus has a better kingdom. Jesus sits exalted, risen from death, ascended into glory, for all eternity upon His throne. And His kingdom will last forever.

WILL YOU MAKE JESUS PREEMINENT?

Colossians 1:18 tells us that Jesus should be preeminent in everything. Jesus shouldn't just be a priority in our lives. He is supreme over all things, including: God's creation, our deliverance, and our spiritual growth. Because of Jesus' preeminence, He brought the fullness of God into human form and died on the cross, and shed his blood to pay for our sin; and through that payment, He has reconciled us to God.

DELIGHTING IN PRAYER

Our goal is to move from only discipline and into delighting in prayer to God because of God's delight in us. This will lead us to boldly approach God and submit our lives to Him in prayer.

FAMILY LIFE // WEEK 9 // PURPOSE

The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, your family, your career, or even your ambitions. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by His purpose and for His purpose. Your ultimate purpose in life is to bring God glory.

FAMILY LIFE // WEEK 8 // TECHNOLOGY

Technology is a helpful tool, but it can also be harmful. Too many Christians ignore the relationship between technology and their spiritual development. It’s not enough to ask ourselves if we are using our devices to openly sin. In at least some ways, a technology-focused life is contradictory to what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. Technology can never be a substitute for the real world in real communities for which God created us.

FAMILY LIFE // WEEK 7 // OBEDIENCE

God’s Design is that we’d love Him with all of our heart, soul, and mind. One of the first steps to living in God’s Design is obedience. Obedience is difficult. Our natural instinct is to do what we feel and think is right. Each of us must submit ourselves to God’s authority and obey His commands. Jesus was obedient to His Father, even to the point of death. But His death took the punishment for our sins and can grant us forgiveness for our disobedience.

FAMILY LIFE // WEEK 6 // SERVANTHOOD

Christians are called to be servants first and second to serve. We are called to a life of servanthood that leads to loving acts of service for our Savior. Serving flows from the heart of a servant. Serving doesn’t make you a servant; but if you are a servant, you will serve.

FAMILY LIFE // WEEK 5 // RESPECT AUTHORITY

We can learn from David's example with King Saul that God wants us to respect authority even if they haven't earned it. Learning to respect authority starts in the home. However, respect for authority reaches all of us through managers, teachers, and government leaders. It's our sin nature to rebel against authority, but God's design is for us to respect those in authority over us.

FAMILY LIFE // WEEK 4 // COMMUNICATION

Ephesians 4 highlights "Four Rules for Communication" which encourage us in how we should speak and communicate in all of our relationships. These rules are good for both preventing and solving problems. 

FAMILY LIFE // WEEK 3 // SALVATION

As parents implement Deuteronomy 6:4-9, it's important for them to realize that a child's understanding of their need for salvation in Christ looks differently at various stages of development. Young children are being introduced to the concepts of sin through right and wrong. Older children are introduced to grace and forgiveness through their desire for fairness. No matter the stage of development and understanding, parents can still teach their children how to love the Lord their God with all their heart, and with all their soul, and with all their might.