Weekly Update July 22

There will be no events this Wednesday night as Pastor Matt is out of town with the Salt Lake City Team.

This week at Sunday School we will be taking a look at Romans 15. Romans 15 highlights Paul’s heart for sharing the gospel and seeing it permeate the hearts of all who hear it. The apostle shared the light of Jesus with Christ followers in Rome, so that they would lean into their purpose of glorifying God and grow in their knowledge and love for Him. From this chapter, we learn that even though the truth of the gospel had gone out among believers in Rome, difficulties still existed among Jesus’ people. It appears the stronger believers within the church had trouble dealing with and bearing the weaknesses of their brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul reminded the church that they were to walk alongside one another, building up and building out the kingdom of God. They needed to experience the endurance and encouragement that Jesus offers to His people, which are gifts that we still need as the church today. Division was also still present between Jews and Gentiles in the Roman church, as believers from different backgrounds found common ground in Jesus alone. Paul chose his words carefully so that the gospel’s power would be made apparent in his interactions with them and through their interactions with one another as the body of Christ. The gospel was always meant to transcend culture and background, uniting us by the power of the God who created us. As you prepare to teach this to your kids, remember that Paul’s concern was for the readers of his letter to recognize their need for God and to live lives that bring honor to His name. May your interactions with your children be so steeped in the grace and encouragement of Jesus as you lead them in the love and light of their Savior.

There will be no Refuge Hangout this Sunday night. Instead, there will be a church business meeting at 5pm, followed by a report from the mission team that went to Salt Lake City.