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At the Movies: with the Family

Jul 30, 2023 | Pastor Chris Sommer

Yours, Mine & Ours (Blended Families)

This week we are closing out our At The Movies message series by talking about blended families. To add to the experience of this message, before proceeding, go grab a mug and pour yourself a cup of coffee. Do this for two reasons. One... how do I say this nicely… let’s just say a little caffeine never hurts before one of Pastor Chris’ messages. But two, well, you’ll just have to watch the message to know why the mug of coffee will be helpful. So let’s talk about it. 

 

Acts 9:10-18 NKJV

 

Ananias Baptizes Saul

10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” 13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” 17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.

 

 

For Adult Homes and Groups

1. Go around the room and describe both your nuclear family growing up and your family today. Take some time to describe the different personalities, both those that complemented and conflicted.

2. How would you describe some of those various relationships today? Close? Distant? Painful? And why?

3. What light does God’s Word shed on those relationships? How has God’s Word been helpful in maintaining the healthy relationships? What might God’s Word be nudging you to do and think differently regarding the relationships that are less healthy?

4. Pray for each of these relationships, both prayers of thanks and prayers for relating with love and discernment.

 

For Families with Kids

1. Read together as a family and memorize 1 Corinthians 12:27: Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

2. The church family is made up of one body with everyone being a unique and wonderful part of it. In other words, we are a blended family created to be together. What are unique things about you? How can your uniqueness bless the blended family/body of Christ? How can you appreciate others’ uniqueness in the church?

3. Pray that the Holy Spirit helps you to see how important you are to the church family and how you can bless it with your uniqueness.

Series Information

There is nothing like the power of hearing or watching a good story unfold, especially when it’s a movie that etches images and memories into our minds. Some of us have memories of movies that effectively catapult us into the past, the future, or even the reality of the struggles and hassles we feel each day in the present. This year, we are revisiting some of the stories shared in movies and how they connect to biblical truths.