by Tim -

The CALL of the Cross


Read Matthew 7:13-14 as a family. Discuss what you think these verses mean.

So what did you come up with? Are things as black and white as Jesus is painting them?

If we take Jesus’ words simply at face value, what are the implications for our lives? How do we respond appropriately to this?

The Christian life is more than just believing the right things, memorizing the right things, and following Jesus “in your heart.” The Christian life is a LIFE that is lived for Christ!

The CALL of the Cross is “to come and die.” To daily kill off your sinful self, and live for Christ. To love God with all your heart, all your mind, and all your soul.

Do you agree with the above statements? If so, discuss as a family some practical steps to take as you journey together on the narrow road to Christ.

by Tim -

The CURE of the Cross

This video is a promotional piece for a book by Kary Oberbrunner. The title of the book, Your Secret Name, is based on Revelation 2:17, in which Jesus is promising a new name to those who are victorious in him.

The imagery in the video is something that resonates with all of us. Because we live in a sinful world and because we are sinful people, as we go through life we find ourselves dirty and even dragged through the mud. Life beats us up and breaks us down.

But in Christ our story (and our name) is changed. In Christ, we are forgiven, faultless, and free. This is the cure of the cross.

On the cross, Jesus became everything that is bad about us, so that we could become everything that is good about him! That’s good news. 1 John 1:9, Jude 1:24, and Romans 8:1-2 are passages that clearly show our new standing in Christ.

As a family discuss these questions:

1) What does it mean to be forgiven? Faultless? Free?

2) Many times we don’t feel forgiven, faultless, or free. It takes faith to trust that what God has said about who we are in Christ is true. Why do you think we doubt our new standing in Christ?

3) Faith could be defined as living as if what we hope is true… IS TRUE! How can we as a family encourage each other and strengthen each other’s faith?