During the All-In series we will have a family devotional available to down- load
for each .... with one of our year-long ServeRDU projects. Read. Think. Pray. Do.
ALL IN Family Devotional Guide
Family Devotional Week 1 (Kids) Matt Allison – Route 56 Pastor
During the All-In series we will have a family devotional available to download for each week at the All-In website. Our theme will be generosity and we encourage parents to spend some time each week working through these as a family. We would love for you to give us some feedback on the City at the Summit Kids Ministry group.
As a family, take a moment and read the following passage. (Maybe have one of your kids read part of it out loud.) Matthew 6:25-34 (highlight Matthew 6:33)
In our passage, who do you think Jesus was talking to? A bunch of pastors? Nope. His disciples? Not really. Aliens? Of course not. On that day, Jesus sat on a hillside surrounded by thousands of moms, dads, sons, and daughters. Jesus was talking with families just like ours; with people just like us.
Read
Think
Take just a minute and discuss the following questions as a family: • According to the passage, what do you think those people were worried about? (Have one of your kids re-read verse 31.) • What types of things do we have as a family? What types of things do we need? (Encourage your kids to make a list or draw some of their answers.) – Did you know that God already knows all of this?! (v.32) • Who is the One who makes sure the birds have food (v.26) the flowers have clothes (v.30) and is the One who has given us all that we have? • When Jesus was talking to the families He gave them two instructions. One thing they should not do (v.31), and one thing they should do (v.33). Do you know what they are? • Read verse 33. What does it mean “seek first the kingdom of God,” and what happens if we do?
• Pray that your family would not just seek God’s kingdom and righteousness, but that you would seek it first, before anything else.
• What does it look like for your family to seek God’s kingdom and righteousness first? • Write down three practical steps your family can start taking to do so. *Special Note to Parents of Preschoolers – We will not be serving Goldfish in Summit Kids this week to teach about God’s provision and giving up something important to us for something more important. Just wanted to let you know so you could start to prepare them if necessary!
Pray
Do
Family Devotional Week 1 (Students) Jonathan Lenker – North Raleigh Campus Student Pastor
During this series we want to highlight a few things that we think it would be great to discuss as families. We suggest using sticky notes as a visual throughout the series. Place those in a high visible area of your house (refrigerator, bathroom mirror, living room TV, etc.) this week in preparation for the month.
Read
As a family, take a moment and read the following passages. (Maybe have one of your kids take a passage and read it out loud): Matthew 22:37-39; 2 Corinthians 5:11-21; Romans 10:13- 17; Mathew 28:18-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”
Think
Here are some ideas to consider: 1. Before God wants to do something great through you, He wants to do something great in you. Before God ever gave Israel the Law, He demonstrated His great love for them my delivering them from slavery in Egypt. Before Jesus ever commands us, He demonstrates His great love for us in dying on the cross. 2. God’s plans routinely call us out of our comfort zone. In the same way that God called Abraham from the land where he lived to the land that God would show him, God calls us from our security into the greater security of trusting Him. God does not call us to a place, a person, or a task; He calls us to Himself! 3. God does not want to move you from inaction to action, but from unbelief to belief. God does not need us to do anything for Him-He is God! God wants us to believe in Him, for His glory and for our good. Take just a minute and discuss the following question as a family: • If we are commanded to tell the nations about Jesus, then why is so hard for us to tell our neighbors? • What are three reasons we find it difficult to tell someone about Jesus? • Is God interested in our action or our obedience? Is the point of sharing our faith to earn God’s love or because we have already been loved by God?
Pray
• Pray that God’s Word will be proclaimed to the nations that have yet to hear. • Each member of your family pick one (1) person to pray for who is not a believer.
Family Devotional Week 2 (Kids) Sarah Carver – Preschool Director
During the All-In series we will have a family devotional available to download for each week at the All-In website. Our theme will be generosity and we encourage parents to spend some time each week working through these as a family. We would love for you to give us some feedback on the City at the Summit Kids Ministry group. As a family, take time to read Matthew 6:19-21.
Read
What do you think of when you hear the word treasure? Gold coins? Chests? I think of pirates, big ships, and big boxes of coins and jewelry saved for a rainy day. In this passage we are reminded that treasure on earth falls apart and gets stolen, but only treasure in heaven will last forever. Verse 21 tells us how important it is to put our treasure in the right place, trusted with God.
Think
Take just a minute and discuss the following questions as a family: • Have each person in the family say/write down/draw/etc. some of their favorite things. o Why do we like these things? • What does the bible say happens to treasure on earth? (Have your kids reread verse 19) • What does the bible say happens to treasure in heaven? (Have your kids re-read verse 20) • What would you rather happen to your treasure? • What kind of treasure is most important? • If someone could describe your family from the outside, what would they say would be our family’s treasure? o Time: Sports? School? Friends? o Resources: Food, toys, other people’s needs? • Thank God that we don’t have to build up treasures here on earth, that he already has that taken care of for us in heaven. • Pray that God would help you to make small decisions each day that would have a HUGE impact on people learning who Jesus is. • What kinds of things can we do as a family to show what our real treasure is? o Serve together o Give money to God and those who tell people about Jesus • Talk as a family about what sacrifices you could make together to put the Kingdom of God first in your lives.
Pray
Do
* Preschool Parents: This weekend Summit’s preschoolers got to lead out in faith by choosing to give up something precious to them right now (Goldfish) for something even better in the long term- money going to tell other people about God and expanding his kingdom. This simple act of giving something up helps to guide our hearts and remind them of what is important and where we should put our treasure – in God’s glory. Take time now to ask them about giving up their snack this week. Talk with them about why they gave up their snack and what it helped do.
Family Devotional Week 2 (Students) Josh Joyner – Cary Campus Student Pastor
During this series we want to highlight a few things that we think it would be great to discuss as families. We suggest using sticky notes as a visual throughout the series. Place those in a high visible area of your house (refrigerator, bathroom mirror, living room TV, etc.) this week in preparation for the month.
Read
Think
As a family, take a moment and read the following passages aloud: 2 Corinthians 9:7-8; John 3:16; Hebrews 12:2
It is clear that we are commanded to be givers. But God doesn’t just give a command and expect us to figure out how to do it. He is better than that. He models generosity. God ultimately shows his generosity in that he gave his only son to us (John 3:16). Hebrews tells us that it was for the joy set before him that Jesus gave up his own life (Hebrews 12) It was with love that God sent his son, and it was with joy that Jesus went to the cross. Take just a minute and discuss the following question as a family: • What is typically the way that you view generosity? Is it more of a burden or a blessing? • How does having Jesus as a model of generous change your view of it all together?
Pray
Do
• Pray that God would show you areas where you can practically become more generous with your resources (time, money, ect.).
• There are opportunities all around you to give generously. Consider investing monetarily to God’s work at The Summit, or consider investing your time with one of our year-long ServeRDU projects.
Family Devotional Week 3 (Kids) Josh Navey – North Durham Campus Kids Director
During the All-In series we will have a family devotional available to download for each week at the All-In website. Our theme will be generosity and we encourage parents to spend some time each week working through these as a family. We would love for you to give us some feedback on the City at the Summit Kids Ministry group.
As a family, take time to read the following passages (maybe have one of your kids read it out loud): Romans 11:36 1Timothy 6:17-19
Read
God has given us everything we have, and He has given it to us for a reason. He gave us ears so we can ________! Eyes so we can _________! And feet so we can _________!
Think
God has also given us our money and our things for a reason. He gave us those things to enjoy, to do good things, to be willing to share, to be willing to give away, and to show us who is really the most important person in the world: God! All God’s gifts point us back to Him. He gives them to us so we can give them back to Him and say, “I’m ALL-IN.” Take just a minute and discuss the following question as a family: • What are some ways we can give our money and things to God?
• Pray that your family will use what God has given you in the right way • Pray that God would make you really good at giving your stuff away • Pray that you would ALWAYS love God more than your stuff
• At every Summit campus this Sunday we will be collecting a special “ALL-IN” offering from the kids of our church. We are asking every kid to give up one of their best toys so God can use it to bless kids who don’t have as much as we do. This might not be an easy thing to do, but God desires us to be a giving and generous people with our stuff – and He was the most generous first! You can bring your gift to the Summit Kids area at your campus and they will direct you where to place it. * Parents: use this as an opportunity to cultivate generosity in your kids, and pray for their hearts to be “ALL-IN” for God because of all that He has given us!
Pray
Do
Family Devotional Week 3 (Students) Jillian Boland – Student Ministry Staff, Brier Creek Campus
During this series we want to highlight a few things that we think it would be great to discuss as families. We suggest using sticky notes as a visual throughout the series. Place those in a high visible area of your house (refrigerator, bathroom mirror, living room TV, etc.) this week in preparation for the month.
Read
Think
As a family, take a moment and read the following passage (maybe have one of your students read it out loud): 1 Timothy 6:2b-20
Every single thing we own and could ever own comes from God and comes with a specific reason and purpose. God gives us our worldly possessions to bring Himself glory and to be used to advance His kingdom (not ours). God blesses each person with different gifts, talents, and resources. It is our calling as believers to not store up riches on earth, but to use everything for His plan and purpose. Being a good steward with what God has given us, is all about giving Him glory, sharing with others, and seeing needs in the world around us. When we are good stewards with what God gives us, we are proclaiming to God and the world that we are “ALL-IN”. Take just a minute and discuss the following question as a family: • How can we as a family be good stewards of what God has given us? (Discuss practical and specific ways for your family.)
Pray
Do
• Pray that God will show you ways you can give Him glory by being a good steward. • Pray that you will not hold tight to your possessions and are willing to give anything to advance God’s kingdom • Pray that your family would value God above all worldly possessions
• Ask each family member to think of one way they feel God is calling them to be a better steward of their possessions this week. Share with each other.
Family Devotional Week 4 (Kids) Talia Alley – North Raleigh Campus Kids Director
During the All-In series we will have a family devotional available to download for each week at the All-In website. Our theme will be generosity and we encourage parents to spend some time each week working through these as a family. We would love for you to give us some feedback on the City at the Summit Kids Ministry group.
As a family, take time to read the following passages (maybe have one of your kids read it out loud): Acts 4:32-35; Psalms 24:1
The passage in Acts shows us how the early church shared everything they had with each other so that no one was in need of anything. Also in this passage and the verse in Psalms, we have a reminder that everything we have belongs to God. Knowing this and believing it frees us from being anxious or nervous about our stuff and frees us to give with joyful hearts instead of giving out of obligation. The believers in the early church were so overwhelmed with God’s grace and the mission of God that it caused them to worship together, pray together, and give of their possessions freely.
Read
Think
Take just a minute and discuss the following question as a family: • Why is it important for us as believers to share everything with each other?
• Pray that God will teach us to be generous with everything we have. • Pray that we will always remember that ALL we have belongs to God. • Pray that when we give to others, we will do it out of joy because of the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross.
Pray
• If you didn’t get a chance to bring in your most special toy last week, talk about it with your kids and do it this Sunday. • Find a need in your small group or church and discuss how you and your family can meet that need.
Do
Family Devotional Week 4 (Students)
Stephen Snyder – Student Ministry Intern, Brier Creek Campus During this series we want to highlight a few things that we think it would be great to discuss as families. We suggest using sticky notes as a visual throughout the series. Place those in a high visible area of your house (refrigerator, bathroom mirror, living room TV, etc.) this week in preparation for the month.
Read
Think
As a family, take a moment and read the following passage (maybe have one of your students read it out loud): Deut. 14:2; Romans 8:32; Matthew 6:19-21
Do you know what God’s treasure is? His church! The people whom He has redeemed. The question is how did he obtain this treasure? Romans 8:32 tells us by giving up His Son. Think about that, God the Father gave up God the Son to make us His treasure. Take just a minute and discuss the following questions as a family: • What does each member of your family treasure? • What does your family treasure as a whole? Is it earthly or heavenly? • Just as Christ sacrificed his Son to obtain His treasured Church, what are you sacrificing individually and as a family to obtain a heavenly treasure?
Pray
• Thank God for sacrificing His Son to make you His treasure. • Pray to know what it is God would like your family to sacrifice so that you will lay up treasures for yourself in heaven not on earth. • Pray for God’s will to be done and not ours.
Family Devotional Week 5 (Kids) Jeremy Pollard – Kids Pastor
During the All-In series we will have a family devotional available to download for each week at the All-In website. Our theme will be generosity and we encourage parents to spend some time each week working through these as a family. We would love for you to give us some feedback on the City at the Summit Kids Ministry group.
As a family, take time to read the following passages (maybe have one of your kids read it out loud): Romans 12:1-2
This passage in Romans 12 talks about the idea of sacrifice. It also says that when we present our bodies as a “living sacrifice”, or go All In for God, we are worshipping God. That means that our lives as Christians and the daily sacrifices we might make should reflect Jesus. Jesus sacrificed everything for us when he left His home in heaven to come and die on the cross. Remembering His sacrifice for us, should remind us of our sacrifice for Him.
Read
Think
Take just a minute and discuss the following question as a family: • Are we All In as a family? • What sacrifice can we make as a family to further the Gospel in our church, community and the world?
• Pray that we will be a “living sacrifice” for God as a family
Pray
• Make a list as a family of some things you might sacrifice for the Gospel. • Parents talk with your kids about your commitment over the next two years.
Do
Family Devotional Week 5 (Students) Scott Rowan – West Club Campus Student Pastor
During this series we want to highlight a few things that we think it would be great to discuss as families. We suggest using sticky notes as a visual throughout the series. Place those in a high visible area of your house (refrigerator, bathroom mirror, living room TV, etc.) this week in preparation for the month.
Read
Think
As a family, take a moment and read the following passage (maybe have one of your students read it out loud): Acts 4:32-27
Acts gives us an incredible picture of what the early church looked like. Because the first Christians were so passionate about the gospel and united under Christ, some amazing things happened in the church! People lived with open hands. Nothing was too precious to give up for the sake of God and their neighbors. We have this story about a man named Joseph (or Barnabas) who sold some land and donated the money to the church. Because of the grace of God and the radical generosity of people like Barnabas, the Bible says, “there was not a needy person among them”! Not one! The early Christians did not claim ownership over the things they had, but because of the gospel, they were willing to surrender anything for the sake of God and the needs of others. What would it look like for our families to live this way?
Pray
Do
• Pray that the gospel might be so real that your family would live with completely open hands, willing to surrender anything for God.
• Over the next week, think about some of the things you own. Is there anything that God is calling you to give up or use for the sake of the gospel? It could be anything (even time!). Not everyone has extra real estate like Barnabas!
