Mission Control

#1 Listen to “Mission Control"

Consider this Sunday morning’s lesson. You can listen here: http://bit.ly/1gCDfNL , or watch here: www.rrcoc.org/missioncontrol [video will be posted by Monday each week].

What stuck out to you as interesting?

Did you encounter any challenging or re-orienting truth?

How’d it make you feel?

#2 Blessed

This Sunday we blessed our babies, committing ourselves to them and standing alongside their parents as they committed themselves to the care of their children.

Why do you think we do this at Round Rock?

What can you do, practically speaking, to be a blessing to Round Rock's babies (and their parents)?

This week, consider blessing the children in your small group. You might put your hands on them and pray or read a blessing like one of these:

“May God make all grace abound to you, (name of child), so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
2 Corinthians 9:8

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of God, the Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. (Name of child), you are precious and worth more than many sparrows. May you never be afraid. God will always care for you.”
Matthew 10:29-31

“(Name of child), may the Lord keep you from all harm as you trust in Him. May he watch over your life, your coming and your going, both now and forevermore.”
Psalm 121:7-8

#3 For Parents (and would-be parents)

On Sunday we said launching our children involves two things:

1. Point her in the right direction.

2. Give him the boost he needs to get there.

Why is direction so important? What is the direction in which you want to point your kids?

Practically speaking, what could you do to remind yourself on a daily basis of your mission for your kids?

What does it look like to give your kids a boost?

Make a list of ways a parent can help his or her child get a jumpstart on a life fully devoted to God. Include big picture stuff and practical, everyday ideas.

Make a list as a group and email it to Jennifer Gerhardt. She'll compile them all and share it here on the small group blog. The small group with the longest list of "boosters" wins a prize (for real).

#4 God, the Father

Read the following passages...

I John 3:1
"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!..."

Deuteronomy 1:30-31
"The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the wilderness. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.”

I Corinthians 1:3-4
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."

Anyone who's ever been a parent knows that parenting teaches us a lot about who God is and why he works the way he does.

What have you learned about God from parenting a child?

If your group is mostly comprised of members without children, consider this prompt: What have you learned about God the Father from watching your parents parent? Draw from the good, the bad, and the ugly as you share.

#5 Children of God

Read Luke 18:15-17

What can we learn about the kingdom of God from children?

For groups without young children in their midst, brainstorm some ways you might be intentional about upping the quality child-loving time in your life. What can you do to make sure you're spending time around, learning from (and teaching) children?

#6 Praying for Our Children

If you have parents in your group, you might discuss the power of praying for our children, whether they're six months or sixty.

How have you seen your prayers as a parent at work in the life of your child?

The following books are potentially helpful guides as we take on the responsibility of interceding for our kids (Not all of these books are fully vetted. But they all look great.):

Praying the Bible for Your Children by David and Heather Knopp
-A compilation of daily prayers for your child or children drawn directly from the text of scripture.

Praying for Boys: Asking God for the Things They Need Most by Brooke McGlothlin

Praying God's Will for My Daughter by Lee Roberts

Praying for Our Adult Sons and Daughters: Placing Them in the Heart of God by John J. Bouche

Prayers for Prodigals: 90 Days of Prayer for Your Child by James Banks

Praying the Scriptures for Your Teenagers: Discover How to Pray God's Purpose for Their Lives by Jodie Berndt

#7 For Kicks and Giggles

Here's a picture of Justin when he was a baby: