Weekly Update July 15

Greetings Parents and Volunteers!

This Wednesday Night we are doing a volunteer training session at 6pm titled "How to Share the Gospel With Children.” It would also be very helpful for parents and grandparents to attend. Our goal will be to answer the question: "if we aren't going to pressure kids into making a decision for Christ via our Refuge ministries (i.e. asking them to raise their hands and repeat a prayer), then how are we to share the gospel with them? " The answer is that everything we do in our classrooms, and also our teaching, should point children to Jesus. Some sweet treats will be provided for anyone who comes, so bring your sweet tooth!

This week at Sunday School we will be looking at Acts 18-21. In these chapters, we read of Paul’s determination to extend Christ’s invitation of faith to non-believers and to deepen the faith of those who were believers. No part of this third missionary journey proved to be easy. Even still, Paul knew his purpose was to proclaim the gospel to all who would listen, testifying to the grace he’d so freely received. In Acts 18:9, the Lord declared to the apostle Paul in a night vision, “Don’t be afraid, but keep on speaking and don’t be silent…” These words strengthened him amidst the legal allegations he faced in Corinth and even further as he traveled throughout Asia on mission for the gospel. Paul faced opposition from idol worshippers in Ephesus, as well as from Jews who plotted against him as he began to set sail for Syria. Even still, God protected Paul throughout this journey, and Paul even declared that the value of his life could only be found in proclaiming Christ’s truth. Though Paul ventured to so many places, met so many people, and experienced so many different cultures, it all points back to the incredible God who safely led him on this journey for the spread of the gospel. Help your kids see that we serve the same God that Paul did, and that He is worthy of our trust and obedience as we set sail on mission—near or far—so that others would know His saving love in Christ. May we, too, seize every opportunity to share His love with all who may hear.

There will be no Refuge Hangout this Sunday as Pastor Matt is on the mission team going to Salt Lake City. As always, don't forget to stay up to date on all our happenings with the Refuge Calendar.