Week Sunday December 13, 2020

Ice Breakers

1. What is your favorite Christmas movie?

2. What is your favorite family Christmas tradition?

Message: “Forgiveness Changes Everything”

“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who re- ceived the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”

Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of

God.” But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed to- gether[a] at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the wit- nesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

Acts 7:51-60 ESV

Questions

1. What stood out to you from Sunday’s message? Did God speak some- thing specific to you? 2. Harboring bitterness and offense towards someone hurts you much more than it hurts them. An offense can happen in a moment but being offended is a daily decision we make. What is the most difficult aspect of forgiving others for you? 3. It will be very hard to practice forgiving others if you do not practice forgiving yourself. What is something in the present or the past that has been hard for you to forgive yourself for? 4. Forgiving someone who hurt you is you severing the source suffering and un- hitching your ability to heal from their choices. The truth is, you are never more like Jesus than when you forgive. When forgiving others is talked about, who or what is the first thing your mind goes to? Is there some- one who you want to take a step toward forgiving in this season? What does that look like? 5. What do you need prayer for this week? Take some time to pray for one another. Upcoming Events (Please remind your Communities and Cores of these upcoming events)

12/20 Sunday Service In-Person Services: 9am and 11am Date: Sunday December 20 Location: Captivate Church *Watch church online at www.captivatesd.com

12/24 Christmas Eve Services In-Person Services: 1pm and 3pm Date: Thursday, December 24 Location: Captivate Church

12/27 Church at (Family Devotional Provided) *No In-Person Service Sunday December 27 Date: Sunday, December 27 Location: Your Home Family Devotional on Website

Kid’s Content Parents we invite you to check out content for all ages in the link below. There are activities and follow up discussion PDF’s for you and your kids. Enjoy! Captivate Kid’s You Tube Page.

Kid’s Guides below… PRE-K GUIDE

WEEK OF PARENT GUIDE December 13, 2020 Christmas Preschool Cookies

Have fun learning and playing with your preschooler!

Activity Whisper It Verse What You Need First, watch

this week’s What You Do video!

(point up) (hug yourself) that he gave (hands out with palms up) (rock arms like a baby) (Open hands like a book.) Bible Story (Repeat several times.) Jesus Is Born (Luke 2:1-7)

Remember This why is Jesus special? “God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son.” John 3:16, GNT Prayer Say This “Dear God, this is such a special time of year because Jesus is special, Why is Jesus special? and it’s His ! Thank You for loving us so much that You gave us Jesus is God’s Son. Your Son, Jesus. Help us celebrate Him every day! We love You, God. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Download the free Parent Cue App AVAILABLE FOR IOS AND ANDROID DEVICES K-5 GUIDE

WEEK OF PARENT GUIDE December 13, 2020 Simply Christmas: Elementary No Assembly Required

Activity Talk About the Bible Story First, watch Joy Search In our story today, who appeared to Mary? (The Gabriel) this week’s WHAT YOU NEED: video! Timer What did the angel tell her? (That would give birth to the Savior of the world) WHAT YOU DO: How do you think Mary felt about the news that Ask your child, “Do you know what the she would give birth to God’s Son? (Joyful, scared, word joy means? Joy is when you can probably overwhelmed) When we talk about joy in the Bible, we’re often Christmas: when their situations weren’t so joyful. Mary probably felt joy about baby Jesus, but she was probably also Celebrating scared and overwhelmed. How does it make you feel Jesus, God’s to know that God sent Jesus for you? greatest gift Parent: Share a personal story about a time you had a plan, but God’s plan was different. Talk about how Memory Verse of your circumstances? Were you able to feel God’s Today in the town presence with you? of David a Savior has been born to you. He is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:11, NIrV

Bible Story Prayer Gabriel Appears Use this prayer as a guide, either after talking about to Mary the Bible story or sometime before bed tonight: Luke 1:26-56 “Dear God, thank You so much for the joy we have in You—during the Christmas season, and always! Thank Bottom Line You for sending Jesus to be our Savior. Thank You for You can have joy [name your child(ren)], and how You made each of because God has a them special and beautiful and smart and funny! We plan for you. praise You for the plan You have for us, and the truth that we can trust You no matter what. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!”

Download the free Parent Cue App AVAILABLE FOR IOS AND ANDROID DEVICES