Daniel 12:13
“As for you, go your way until the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days, you will rise again to receive the inheritance set aside for you.”

Philippians 1:20-23
20 For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. 21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. 22 But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. 23 I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. 24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.

With joy for David and sorrow for all who love him, we share the news we knew would come soon: David Niednagel, Founding Pastor of Christian Fellowship Church, has passed away and is now with his Savior in Heaven. This comes after a recent pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
 
For David, the hope he preached for so many years is now sight. The Savior he loved, served, and proclaimed has welcomed him home - where faith has become reality and every earthly sorrow has given way to the presence of Christ. Today, we imagine David fully healed, fully joyful, and fully at home in the glory of Heaven.
 
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. – 2 Timothy 4:7-8
 
We think of the many, many people who came to know Jesus as their personal Savior because they heard Pastor David tell of the “great swap” that happened through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. No doubt, David would want you to know Jesus as your Savior, too. If you have questions about salvation or the great swap, contact CFC at 812-867-6464, submit a prayer request, or watch “The Story."
 
We will work closely with the family to glorify God through a celebration of David’s life and legacy in the future. As details come together, they will be shared on our website. The gathering will be livestreamed from CFC’s Worship Center - onlineCFC.com/livestream - and will also be recorded for later viewing.
 
Please join us in praying for Judy and the family. Out of love and care for them, please refrain from contacting them directly during this time.

Study Questions will be posted on Sunday afternoon.

School will start soon, and we love ending the summer with our annual CFC Night at Burdette, which is this Sunday night! If you’ve been to it before, you know what a great night it is! We’ll start with snacks and fellowship at 6:30PM near the pool entrance. The pool closes to the public at 7PM, and we should be able to gather around the pool deck at 7:15PM to prepare for baptisms. Then, we’ll celebrate with those being baptized at 7:30PM. After that, we have the pool to ourselves for a free private pool party until 10PM. We love it when the church is able to come together to celebrate!
 
Although the deadline to be baptized at Burdette has passed, you can still be baptized in the Worship Services later this fall. You can start the online class HERE to be ready.
 
Make plans now to come to one of our 4 worship services this Sunday, then join us at Burdette on Sunday evening. We can’t wait to see you!

Stay up to date with what's happening at CFC by reading the eBulletin each week.

Proverbs 4:1-7
1 My children, listen when your father corrects you.
  Pay attention and learn good judgment,
2 for I am giving you good guidance.
   Don’t turn away from my instructions.
3 For I, too, was once my father’s son,
   tenderly loved as my mother’s only child.
4 My father taught me,
   “Take my words to heart.
   Follow my commands, and you will live.
5 Get wisdom; develop good judgment.
   Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.
6 Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you.
   Love her, and she will guard you.
7 Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!
   And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.”

Wisdom is inherited before it is developed.

Deuteronomy 6:6–7
6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.

Proverbs 4:10-11
10 My child, listen to me and do as I say,
   and you will have a long, good life.
11 I will teach you wisdom’s ways
   and lead you in straight paths.

The path you walk is forming you.

Proverbs 4:14-17
14 Don’t do as the wicked do,
   and don’t follow the path of evildoers.
15 Don’t even think about it; don’t go that way.
   Turn away and keep moving.
16 For evil people can’t sleep until they’ve done their evil deed for the day.
   They can’t rest until they’ve caused someone to stumble.
17 They eat the food of wickedness
   and drink the wine of violence!

John 8:12
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

Proverbs 4:20-25
20 My child, pay attention to what I say.
   Listen carefully to my words.
21 Don’t lose sight of them.
   Let them penetrate deep into your heart,
22 for they bring life to those who find them,
   and healing to their whole body.
23 Guard your heart above all else,
   for it determines the course of your life.
24 Avoid all perverse talk;
   stay away from corrupt speech.
25 Look straight ahead,
   and fix your eyes on what lies before you.

Guard your heart above everything else.

Philippians 4:6-9
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

A Wise Child Develops by Pastor Dale Beaver
Read Proverbs 4:1-7, 10-11, 14-17, 20-25; Deuteronomy 6:6-7; John 8:12; and Philippians 4:6-9.

1. Pastor Dale teaches that wisdom is inherited before it is developed, noting that Solomon was first his "father's son" and "tenderly loved" before he was a king. How does the realization that wisdom is often a "gift" passed down from others change the way you view the mentors or parents in your life?
2. Read Deuteronomy 6:6–7. This passage commands believers to repeat God’s words "again and again" to their children in every setting—at home, on the road, at bedtime, and in the morning. Why is repetition and consistency so vital for developing a "wise child" in a world of constant distractions?
3. Read Proverbs 4:1-2. We are told to "listen when your father corrects you" and to not "turn away from instructions". Why is our natural reaction often to resist correction, and how can viewing it as "good guidance" help us grow in good judgment?
4. Solomon declares in Proverbs 4:7 that "getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do". If you were to audit your current schedule and priorities, would they reflect that seeking wisdom is your top priority, or has it been pushed aside by more urgent, external demands?
5. Read Proverbs 4:14-17. The sermon emphasizes that the path you walk is forming you, warning that evildoers actually "eat the food of wickedness and drink the wine of violence". How have you seen the "environment" of your daily habits or social circles gradually shape your character, for better or for worse?
6. Read John 8:12. Jesus identifies Himself as the "light of the world" and promises that those who follow Him "won't have to walk in darkness". How does the light of Christ provide a clear direction when the "straight paths" of wisdom feel obscured by the culture around us?
7. Read Proverbs 4:20-22. We are instructed to let God's words "penetrate deep into your heart" because they bring "healing to their whole body". Can you share a time when a specific truth from Scripture provided spiritual or emotional healing during a difficult season?
8. Read Proverbs 4:23. The "heart" (lev) is described as the center of our inner lives, determining the entire course of our life. What are some practical ways you can "guard" your heart this week against influences that might pull you off course?
9. The sermon notes connect guarding the heart with corrupt speech and distraction. Read Proverbs 4:24-25. How does "avoiding perverse talk" and "fixing your eyes on what lies before you" serve as a practical defense mechanism for your spiritual health?.
10. Read Philippians 4:6-9. Paul encourages believers to replace worry with prayer and to fix their thoughts on things that are true, honorable, and right. Which of the qualities listed in verse 8 (true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable) do you find most difficult to focus on in your current circumstances?
11. Close in Prayer: Thank the Father for the "good guidance" He provides through His Word. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you guard your heart and stay on the "straight paths" of wisdom, trusting that He is the light that leads to a long and satisfying life.

__________________________________________
Analogy for Understanding: Developing wisdom is like maintaining a reservoir. Your heart is the basin that determines the "course of your life," and everything you allow into your mind—the words you hear, the paths you walk, and the things you look at—acts as the inflow pipes. If you allow the "food of wickedness" or "corrupt speech" to flow in, the water becomes polluted and the output of your life will eventually turn bitter. However, when you guard the reservoir by fixing your eyes on Christ and filling your mind with what is true and pure, the outflow becomes a source of "life and healing" for everyone around you.

Today’s eNews is mostly about our Men’s Ministry, but, ladies, we hope you read it too! Please share it with the men in your lives.
 
The men of CFC have come to anticipate a Men’s Meat Up every August. This event is fun and meaningful, and it brings our men together for fellowship and faith-building. 
 
This year at the Men’s Meat Up, our men will receive a challenge from a man who was notoriously opposed to the Christian faith and antagonistic toward his wife’s new relationship with Jesus. The Lord got ahold of his heart and turned his life’s direction around in a huge way. Fast forward to the present, and now he and his wife serve with CRU and are supported by CFC. Come hear his amazing story!  
 
The Men’s Meat Up is Friday, August 7. It will start at 5PM with a car show in the parking lot, and the dinner and program start at 6PM in the gym. The cost is $10, and you can register online or by texting MEATUP to 812-867-6464. There will be plenty of door prizes, including a mini-chainsaw! You can find out about what’s happening in the CFC Men’s Ministry, how God is using small groups to encourage and grow men in their faith, and how you can get involved. The deadline to register is Sunday, August 2. We hope you will join us and bring a friend along, too! 
 
We look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday!

A Wise Child Remembers by Pastor Dale Beaver
Read Proverbs 3:1-7, 11-18 and Deuteronomy 8:11-18.

1. Pastor Dale describes the progression of this series as a journey for the "wise child": first listening (shama) to the Father, then actively seeking wisdom as a treasure, and finally reaching the point where they do not forget what they have learned. Why is "remembering" a critical final step in the growth of a believer's character?
2. The sermon notes that memories can be powerful tools for either wisdom or foolishness. Pastor Dale mentions that his wife, Andree, wants him to remember their first kiss together, but certainly not his first kiss with anyone else. How do you discern which memories are "wise" to turn over in your mind and which ones you should "take captive" to prevent them from leading you toward folly?
3. Pastor Dale teaches that as followers of Jesus, we must prioritize "the word before the world," processing every narrative we hear through the lens of Scripture. In a culture saturated with 24/7 news and social media, how can you practically ensure that God’s Word is the primary "regulator" of your inner life?
4. The sermon uses the analogy of a person sitting in a boat who becomes so focused on their own thoughts that they look up to find they have drifted miles from the shore. In what area of your life—marriage, work, or spiritual habits—do you feel the most "prone to drift" away from the safety of God's wisdom?
5. Read Deuteronomy 8:11-18. Moses warned the Israelites that the most dangerous time for their faith would be when they were full, prosperous, and successful. Why is it often harder to remember the Lord when life is going well than when we are in the "terrifying wilderness" of a crisis?
6. Read Proverbs 3:5-7. Pastor Dale shares a personal story about his niece’s sudden stroke and the overwhelming medical information that followed. While medical "understanding" is a blessing, how can it become a stumbling block that prevents us from putting our full weight (batak) on the Lord?
7. Read Proverbs 3:13-18. Wisdom is personified here as more precious than rubies and is described as a "tree of life" to those who embrace her. How does viewing wisdom as a "person" (the person of Christ) rather than just "being smart" change the way you value your relationship with God?
8. Pastor Dale notes that the "tree of life" lost in the Garden of Eden was "mercifully" guarded by God so humans wouldn't live forever in a fallen state. How does the resurrection of Jesus reclaim that "tree of life" for those who trust in the "wisdom of the cross"?
9. Read Proverbs 3:11-12. Discipline is described as a tool used by a loving father to prevent the drift in a child’s life. Can you share a time when a "correction" from God—though painful at the moment—actually dragged you back to the safety of the shoreline?
10. The sermon concludes with communion, focusing on Jesus' command to "do this to remember me". What makes us "worthy" to sit at the Lord’s table: is it our own perfect record, or is it our humble acknowledgment of the "high cost" Jesus paid for our rescue?
11. Close in Prayer: Thank the Father for being the "biggest daddy in the room" whose voice we can trust even in a crisis. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you anchor your heart in the truth of the Gospel this week, so that you do not drift from the grace in which you stand.

_______________________________

Analogy for Understanding: Living with wisdom is like staying anchored to the shoreline. The world, the "wicked crowd," and even our own internal thoughts act like a subtle current that constantly tries to pull our boat out to sea. We often don't realize we are drifting until we look up and realize we can no longer see the coast. Remembering the Lord is the act of dropping the anchor of his Word and trust (batak) into the depths of our hearts. It isn't just about knowing the "rules" of the shore; it's about staying constantly connected to the One who stands on the beach and calls us back to safety every time we begin to wander.

Proverbs 3:1-7
1 My child, never forget the things I have taught you.
   Store my commands in your heart.
2 If you do this, you will live many years,
   and your life will be satisfying.
3 Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!
   Tie them around your neck as a reminder.
   Write them deep within your heart.
4 Then you will find favor with both God and people,
   and you will earn a good reputation.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart;
   do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
   and he will show you which path to take.
7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
   Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

What do you do when the threat of evil moves subtly inside?

Proverbs 3:5-7
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart;
   do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
   and he will show you which path to take.
7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
   Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

Deuteronomy 8:11-18
11 “But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the LORD your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today. 12 For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, 13 and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful! 14 Do not become proud at that time and forget the LORD your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. 15 Do not forget that he led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with its poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock! 16 He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good. 17 He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ 18 Remember the LORD your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.

Remember that wisdom is worth far more than we might first imagine.

Proverbs 3:13
13 Joyful is the person who finds wisdom,
   the one who gains understanding.

Proverbs 3:15-18
15 Wisdom is more precious than rubies;
   nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 She offers you long life in her right hand,
   and riches and honor in her left.
17 She will guide you down delightful paths;
   all her ways are satisfying.
18 Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
   happy are those who hold her tightly.

Submit to the discipline designed to prevent the drift.

Proverbs 3:11-12
11 My child, don’t reject the LORD's discipline,
   and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
12 For the LORD corrects those he loves,
   just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.

"Do this to remember me."

Next Wednesday, we will have 42 4th & 5th grade students and 16 adult leaders heading to Kids Camp. We'd love for our entire church family to partner with us in prayer for them!
 
One of our greatest desires as a church is to make disciples of the next generation. We want our children to know God through His Word, to trust in Jesus Christ, to grow in their love for Him, and to follow Him faithfully for the rest of their lives. We believe that Kids Camp provides a unique opportunity for students to step away from the distractions of everyday life and build Christ-centered friendships. They will spend focused time worshiping, learning from God's Word, and hearing the truth of the gospel while having an absolute blast!
 
Please pray that every student would encounter Jesus in a meaningful way and that the Holy Spirit would use His Word to transform hearts. Pray that those who have not yet trusted Christ would respond to the gospel in faith and that those who already know Him would grow deeper in their love for God and confidence in Him. Pray that the lessons they learn during this time would take root in their hearts and produce lasting fruit long after camp has ended.
 
Please also pray for safe travel, good health, and protection throughout the week. Ask God to give our 16 leaders wisdom, strength, patience, and joy as they faithfully invest in the lives of these children. Pray that every conversation, every activity, and every worship service would point our students to the greatness of God and encourage them to walk closely with Him.
 
Thank you for faithfully praying alongside us! We believe God delights to work through the prayers of His people, and we're excited to see how He will use this camp to shape the hearts and lives of our students for His glory. They will be gone July 23-26. 
 
We can't wait to worship with you Sunday!

Church Family,
We want to share an update regarding our founding pastor, David Niednagel. We also want to thank you for the incredible love and encouragement you have shown him and his family and your faithfulness in praying for them!

David has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. After consulting with his medical team, surgery is not an option. Because of his current condition, chemotherapy is not considered a feasible treatment either. There is a possibility that he may qualify for an experimental medication if further testing shows he has the specific form of cancer that the treatment is designed to address. We are praying for wisdom as they wait for those results. David is also past due for a pacemaker generator change, but doctors haven’t recommended the procedure given his current condition.
 
Through it all, David has experienced a remarkable peace that comes from the Lord. He is receiving each day as a gift from God, filled with gratitude and cherishing every opportunity to spend time with his family. Physically, however, he has become increasingly weak. The cancer has significantly affected his digestive system, making it more and more difficult for his body to receive the nutrition it needs.

Recently, when asked by a member of CFC leadership if he had any fear, worry, or anxiety about dying, David responded with a smile, “None, brother… I’m more confident than ever.” That testimony reflects the deep hope and assurance he has in Christ, even in the midst of this valley.

The family has been deeply encouraged by the outpouring of love from our church family. Your prayers, cards, meals, and countless expressions of kindness have been a tangible reminder of the body of Christ caring for one another. At this stage, David is resting for the majority of each day, so the family would kindly ask that you refrain from visiting unless specifically invited. The greatest gift you can give right now is to continue praying faithfully and supporting the family through your encouragement and acts of kindness.

As a church, we are asking God for a miracle. We know that He is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine, and we continue to pray boldly for His healing. At the same time, we trust His perfect wisdom, His unfailing mercy, and His sovereign timing, knowing that whatever lies ahead, His grace will be sufficient every step of the way.
Please continue to lift David, Judy, and their entire family up before the Lord. Pray that God would strengthen David day by day, sustain Judy with His peace and grace as she faithfully cares for her husband, and surround their family with His comfort, wisdom, and presence. Pray also that the Lord would grant wisdom regarding every medical decision and, if it is His will, provide miraculous healing that would bring great glory to His name.

As Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." We are grateful to serve a God who is always faithful, always good, and always worthy of our trust!

We can't wait to worship our great God with you this Sunday!

A wise child asks for wisdom with dedication and devotion to God, who not only commands that we ask but delivers what is sought.

Ask for wisdom as if your life depends on it. (2:1-4)

Proverbs 2:1-4 (NLT)
My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. 2Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. 3Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. 4Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.

Matthew 7:7-8
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
 
Trust God to give you wisdom, grow your understanding, and guard your path. (2:5-11)

Proverbs 2:5-6
"Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding."
 
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (1:7). Rather than a posture of hiding or shame, this type of fear describes a posture of awe. Awe acknowledges God as the Creator, center, and steadfast foundation of all truth. Many experiences in life can be confusing, disorienting, and even imprisoning. Yet, all one needs to receive wisdom is humility (11:2).” 
- What is Wisdom? Meredith Lee Myers

James 1:5
"If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking." 
 
You aren’t insulated from evil, but Christ is your foundation and direction for life. (2:12-22)

Proverbs 2:20-22
"So follow the steps of the good, and stay on the paths of the righteous. For only the upright will live in the land, and those with integrity will remain in it. But the wicked will be removed from the land, and the treacherous will be uprooted."

1 Corinthians 1:18-19, 24-25
“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.  As the Scriptures say,
 “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise
    and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.” 
 “But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.”

A Wise Child Asks by Pastor Dale Beaver
Read Proverbs 2:1-22; Matthew 7:7-8; James 1:5; and 1 Corinthians 1:18-25.

1. Pastor Dale defines wisdom simply as the ability to see things from God’s perspective. He suggests a "daily dose" of wisdom by reading one chapter of Proverbs each day to match the day of the month. Have you ever tried a consistent spiritual discipline like this? How does viewing the world through God's "lens" change your reaction to daily frustrations?
2. Read Proverbs 2:1-4. The sermon points out a "staircase" of intensity in these verses: crying out for insight, asking for understanding, searching as if for silver, and seeking like hidden treasure. Why do you think God requires this level of active pursuit rather than just giving us wisdom automatically?
3. Pastor Dale uses the analogy of a man with a metal detector on a beach (the "Redneck Riviera") to illustrate that God has hardwired us for adventure and discovery. How can the "Easter egg hunt" of discovering God's truth in your daily work or relationships make your faith feel more like a joy and less like a duty?.
4. Read Matthew 7:7-8. Jesus commands us to "Keep on asking... seeking... knocking." Pastor Dale notes that in our immaturity, we often don't know what to ask for, and we must learn that God is not manipulated by our selfishness. Can you share a time you asked God for something, were told "no," and later realized that what you asked for wasn't actually for your benefit?.
5. There is a distinct difference between having a "hunger" and having an "appetite". Just as someone might develop a taste for coffee over time, Pastor Dale shares that at 61, he is finally developing a true appetite for holiness—something that didn't seem "cool" to him at 13. What is a spiritual "taste" or discipline you are currently trying to develop an appetite for?
6. Read Proverbs 2:5-7. Wisdom is described as a "treasure of common sense" granted to the honest. Pastor Dale clarifies that "common sense" (tushaya) is the practical application of God's perspective to life. How does having "God's common sense" help you navigate difficult decisions at your workplace or in your family?
7. Proverbs 2:10 says wisdom will enter your heart (lev), which is described as the center of our inner lives where our will meets our emotions. When your emotions want one thing but your will knows another is right, how does the "sugar withdrawal" of choosing wisdom eventually lead to a total life change and joy?.
8. Read Proverbs 2:12-22. The sermon warns that while we aren't "insulated" from evil, Christ is our foundation and our direction. How does the contrast between the "joy" of the wise and the "pleasure in doing wrong" seen in the wicked help you identify the true source of lasting satisfaction?.
9. Pastor Dale notes that the "immoral woman" in Proverbs is a "covenant breaker". In a broader sense, how does our own tendency toward "covenant breaking" or rebellion against God lead us away from the "paths of life" He has planned for us?.
10. Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-25. Solomon tells us to "follow the steps of the good," but Scripture also says "no one is righteous". How does knowing that Christ is the wisdom of God resolve the problem of our own imperfection while we are "being saved"?.
11. Close in Prayer: Thank the Father for being a generous God who does not rebuke us for asking for wisdom. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you move from a "starting block" faith to a "pavement" faith, where the fear of the Lord supports every step of your journey this week.

_____________________________________
Analogy for Understanding: Seeking wisdom is like metal detecting on a vast beach. The treasures are there, washed up on the shore by the Creator, but they are often hidden just beneath the surface. To find them, we must be like the dedicated seeker—willing to put in the time, use the right tools (Scripture), and listen for the "beep" of the Spirit's conviction. We don't find the treasure to become owners of the beach; we find it to better understand the wealth and character of the One who owns the shore and invited us there for an adventure.

A Wise Child Listens by Pastor Dale Beaver
Read Proverbs 1:1-7, 20-33; Matthew 7:24-27; and Matthew 11:28-30.

1. Pastor Dale opens by asking, "Are you a good listener?" and distinguishes between merely hearing a sound and actually processing what is being said. In your closest relationships, what is the difference between "hearing" someone and truly "listening" to them?
2. The sermon notes state that wisdom isn't a subject to master—it's a relationship to enter. How does viewing wisdom as a "walk with someone" change your approach to reading the Bible compared to seeing it as a textbook of facts to learn?
3. Read Proverbs 1:7. The "fear of the LORD" is described as a reverential awe that provides security rather than a terror that repels us. How does the image of a "larger-than-life" father figure who fills a room with authority and love help you understand what it means to fear God?
4. Pastor Dale argues that the fear of the Lord is not just a "starting block" to get us moving, but the "pavement" that supports our feet for the entire race of life. Is there an area of your life where you have tried to "take it from here" on your own strength instead of remaining dependent on God's foundation?
5. Read Matthew 7:24-27. Jesus compares a wise person to someone who builds on bedrock and a fool to someone who builds on sand. What "shifting sands" of culture or public opinion are you most tempted to build your life upon instead of the teaching of Jesus?
6. The Hebrew word for hearing is "Shama," which implies both listening and heeding (obeying) what was said. Why is it impossible, according to the biblical definition, to say you have "listened" to God if you have not applied His words to your life?
7. Pastor Dale references the song "In the Living Years" by Mike and the Mechanics to illustrate a son and father who talked at each other but never understood each other. How can we ensure we are opening our lives to "listen as well as we hear" when God speaks to us through His Word?
8. Read Proverbs 1:10-15. The sermon emphasizes that "bad company corrupts good character" and warns us to turn our backs on those who entice us toward folly. Discuss the idea that "showing your friends" can predict your future; how have you seen your social circle impact your spiritual direction?
9. Read Proverbs 1:20-23. Wisdom is personified as a woman shouting in the "public square" and the "marketplace" rather than just in the church. How can you be a "voice of wisdom" in your specific workplace or business dealings this week?
10. Pastor Dale warns that "sin will always cost you more than you want to pay" and that a "bill comes due" for foolishness. How does the urgent appeal in Matthew 11:28-29 to "come and find rest" offer a better alternative to the heavy burdens of living as a fool?
11. Close in Prayer: Thank the Father for being a "good father" whose voice we can trust. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you move beyond merely possessing knowledge to the active application of wisdom in your home and marketplace this week.

_____________________________________
Living with wisdom is like running on solid pavement instead of just pushing off a starting block. Many people treat God like that starting block—looking to Him for a strong beginning or a boost in crisis, then trying to run the rest of the race in their own power. True wisdom realizes that the fear of the Lord is the road beneath our feet, the foundation that supports every step we take, so our lives don’t collapse when pressure and hardship rise.

Wisdom isn't a subject to master — it's a relationship to enter. A wise child has learned to know and trust the Father’s voice.

Wisdom Starts in the Right Place

Proverbs 1:7a
Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge.

Matthew 7:24-27
24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash."

Wisdom Knows the Company It Keeps

Proverbs 1:10, 15, 18
My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them.
My child, don’t go along with them! Stay far away from their paths.
But these people set an ambush for themselves;
they are trying to get themselves killed.

1 Corinthians 15:33b
…”bad company corrupts good character.”

Wisdom Is Calling — and Won't Wait Forever

Proverbs 1:20-23
20 Wisdom shouts in the streets.
   She cries out in the public square.
21 She calls to the crowds along the main street,
   to those gathered in front of the city gate:
22 “How long, you simpletons,
   will you insist on being simpleminded?
How long will you mockers relish your mocking?
   How long will you fools hate knowledge?
23 Come and listen to my counsel.
   I’ll share my heart with you
   and make you wise.”

Matthew 11:28–29
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Proverbs 1:24-25; 28-29
24 “I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come.
    I reached out to you, but you paid no attention.
25 You ignored my advice
    and rejected the correction I offered.
28 “When they cry for help, I will not answer.
    Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me.
29 For they hated knowledge
    and chose not to fear the LORD.
 

Timeline

1. Judas Betrayal                                                                     
2. Jesus’ Religious Trial                                                       
3. Jesus’ Civil Trial 
4. Death/Burial 
5. Resurrection

1. Jesus' Arrest
2. Peter's Denial

Mark 14:43-52 (NLT)
43 And immediately, even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders. 44 The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss. Then you can take him away under guard.” 45 As soon as they arrived, Judas walked up to Jesus. “Rabbi!” he exclaimed, and gave him the kiss.
46 Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him. 47 But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear.
48 Jesus asked them, “Am I some dangerous revolutionary, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? 49 Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there among you teaching every day. But these things are happening to fulfill what the Scriptures say about me.”
50 Then all his disciples deserted him and ran away. 51 One young man following behind was clothed only in a long linen shirt. When the mob tried to grab him, 52 he slipped out of his shirt and ran away naked.
 
Mark 14:66-72 (NLT)
66 Meanwhile, Peter was in the courtyard below. One of the servant girls who worked for the high priest came by 67 and noticed Peter warming himself at the fire. She looked at him closely and said, “You were one of those with Jesus of Nazareth.”
68 But Peter denied it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, and he went out into the entryway. Just then, a rooster crowed.
69 When the servant girl saw him standing there, she began telling the others, “This man is definitely one of them!” 70 But Peter denied it again.
A little later some of the other bystanders confronted Peter and said, “You must be one of them, because you are a Galilean.”
71 Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know this man you’re talking about!” 72 And immediately the rooster crowed the second time.
Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he broke down and wept.

We all prove ourselves guilty.

Jesus proves Himself innocent.

Mark 14:53-65 (NLT)
53 They took Jesus to the high priest’s home where the leading priests, the elders, and the teachers of religious law had gathered. 54 Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and went right into the high priest’s courtyard. There he sat with the guards, warming himself by the fire.
55 Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find evidence against Jesus, so they could put him to death. But they couldn’t find any. 56 Many false witnesses spoke against him, but they contradicted each other. 57 Finally, some men stood up and gave this false testimony: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this Temple made with human hands, and in three days I will build another, made without human hands.’” 59 But even then they didn’t get their stories straight!
60 Then the high priest stood up before the others and asked Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?” 61 But Jesus was silent and made no reply. Then the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”
62 Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 
63 Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Why do we need other witnesses? 64 You have all heard his blasphemy. What is your verdict?”
“Guilty!” they all cried. “He deserves to die!”
65 Then some of them began to spit at him, and they blindfolded him and beat him with their fists. “Prophesy to us,” they jeered. And the guards slapped him as they took him away.
 
Jesus provides Himself as our substitute.

Mark 15:15-39 (NLT)
15 So to pacify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.
16 The soldiers took Jesus into the courtyard of the governor’s headquarters (called the Praetorium) and called out the entire regiment. 17 They dressed him in a purple robe, and they wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head. 18 Then they saluted him and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” 19 And they struck him on the head with a reed stick, spit on him, and dropped to their knees in mock worship. 20 When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified. 21 A passerby named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was coming in from the countryside just then, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. (Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus.) 22 And they brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”). 23 They offered him wine drugged with myrrh, but he refused it.
24 Then the soldiers nailed him to the cross. They divided his clothes and threw dice to decide who would get each piece. 25 It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. 26 A sign announced the charge against him. It read, “The King of the Jews.” 27 Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.
29 The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. “Ha! Look at you now!” they yelled at him. “You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. 30 Well then, save yourself and come down from the cross!”
31 The leading priests and teachers of religious law also mocked Jesus. “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself! 32 Let this Messiah, this King of Israel, come down from the cross so we can see it and believe him!” Even the men who were crucified with Jesus ridiculed him.
33 At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 34 Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
35 Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. 36 One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. “Wait!” he said. “Let’s see whether Elijah comes to take him down!”
37 Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.
39 When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God!”

Jesus proves Himself to be the Son of God.

Mark 16:1-8 (NLT)
Saturday evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went out and purchased burial spices so they could anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb. 3 On the way they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4 But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside.
5 When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, 6 but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. 7 Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.” 8 The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, and they said nothing to anyone because they were too frightened.

The Proven Son of God by Reid Schultheis
Read Mark 14:43-72; Mark 15:15-39; and Mark 16:1-8.

1. Reid begins the sermon by establishing a chronological timeline of Jesus' final hours: Judas’s betrayal, the arrest, the religious and civil trials, the crucifixion, and finally the resurrection. How does seeing this progression of events as a historical reality help you grasp the weight of what Jesus endured for your sake?
2. In the culture of the time, a disciple was never permitted to address their rabbi first, as doing so implied they were equals. Discuss how Judas’s use of the title "Rabbi" and his kiss of betrayal was a high-handed insult that revealed he did not truly believe Jesus was Lord.
3. The sermon highlights that while Judas’s rejection was premeditated and high-handed, Peter’s rejection was an unplanned caving to the desire for comfort and self-preservation. Why is it often easier to "other" someone like Judas than to admit that our own hearts are, as John Calvin put it, "idol factories" that frequently choose comfort over Christ?
4. Read Mark 14:53-56. The religious leaders hated Jesus for years, yet they could not find a single valid charge against Him. Reid points out that if a private investigator followed us or searched our digital devices, we would all be found guilty of something. How does the fact that Jesus is the only person in history to be found perfectly innocent help you understand your own need for Him as your substitute?
5. Read Mark 14:61-62. Jesus remained silent during the false accusations but spoke clearly when asked if He was the Messiah, identifying Himself as the Son of Man from Daniel 7 who would judge the world. How does Jesus’ claim to be the Lord of the universe leave us with only two choices: to accept Him as Lord or reject Him as a lunatic?
6. The sermon describes salvation as "the great swap," where Jesus provides Himself as our substitute. How does the reality that Jesus was treated as a criminal even though He was innocent allow us to be treated as innocent even though we have broken God's law?
7. Read Mark 15:15-39. In the sermon, Reid identifies seven specific ways Jesus acted as our substitute during His crucifixion, taking what we deserved so that we could receive what He earned. Which of these acts of substitution most humbles you today as you consider what He endured on your behalf?
   • Mocked for being a King: Jesus was mocked for His claim to be King so that we, who often try to "be our own gods," could be forgiven.
   • Mockingly Worshiped: He was treated with fake adoration because we often demand worship and attention from others that we do not deserve.
   • Refused the Painkiller: He refused the drugged wine to stay fully conscious for the physical and spiritual torment of the cross so that we would not have to experience the "fully conscious torment" of judgment.
   • Fully Exposed and Shamed: He was stripped naked and shamed so that our own shameful deeds would not have to be exposed and judged.
   • Treated as a Criminal: Although perfectly innocent, He was executed as a criminal so that we, who have actually broken God's law, could be treated as innocent.
   • Mocked for being Unable to Save Himself: He stayed on the cross despite the jeers so that we, who truly cannot save ourselves, could be rescued.
   • Abandoned by the Father: He cried out, "Why have you abandoned me?" so that we could be eternally accepted by the Father.
8. Reid emphasizes that Christianity stands or falls on the reality of the resurrection. If Jesus had stayed in the tomb, how would that change the significance of His claims and His death?
9. Read Mark 16:1-7. The angel specifically told the women to tell the disciples, "including Peter," that Jesus was going ahead of them. What does this specific mention of Peter teach you about Jesus' heart toward those who have failed Him?
10. Reflect and Respond: The central question of this series is: "Who do you say Jesus is?". In light of His trials, His substitutionary death, and His resurrection, what is one area of your life where you need to move from "middle-ground" respect to total allegiance to Him as the Proven Son of God?
11. Close in Prayer: Thank Jesus for being the innocent substitute who took your guilt. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you live not for your own comfort, but in the light of the resurrection victory He has proven for you.

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Analogy for Understanding: Imagine you have accumulated a debt of guilt so massive that you could never pay it back, even with a thousand lifetimes of effort. Jesus has a "bank account" of infinite innocence and perfect righteousness. The "Great Swap" is a legal bank transfer where Jesus takes your entire debt onto His own account and transfers His infinite wealth into yours. His death on the cross was Him paying that debt in full, and His resurrection is the official receipt proving that the transaction is finished and your debt no longer exists.

As we share this third-quarter financial report, we want to say thank you for your consistent generosity to the Lord’s work through our church. You can view it HERE. Your faithful giving is more than a financial transaction; it is an act of worship and a tangible expression of trust in God’s provision. Scripture reminds us that “each one must give as he has decided in his heart…for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7), and we are deeply grateful for a church family that continues to give with willing, joyful, and sacrificial hearts. Your generosity reflects a desire to see Christ honored and the gospel advanced.
 
Because of your faithfulness, so much ministry has been made possible this year. Lives are being impacted, needs are being met, and the message of Jesus is continuing to go forward in ways that matter for eternity. We do not take that lightly. God has been so good to our church, and your sacrificial giving has played a meaningful part in what He is doing among us. Thank you for partnering in the work of ministry and for helping make it possible for our church to serve, disciple, and reach people for Christ.
 
We give God all the glory for His provision and for the privilege of being used by Him together. Please know we take the stewardship of the money you have given to CFC very seriously. If you have any questions, please reach out to Nathan Hazel or Robert Goedde.
 
We can't wait to see you on Sunday!

Matthew 15:29-30
Jesus returned to the Sea of Galilee and climbed a hill and sat down. 30 A vast crowd brought to him people who were lame, blind, crippled, those who couldn’t speak, and many others. They laid them before Jesus (at his feet), and he healed them all.

THE POWERFUL SON OF GOD RESTORES AND HEALS.

Matthew 15:31
The crowd was amazed! (full of wonder, marveled) Those who hadn’t been able to speak were talking, the crippled were made well, the lame were walking, and the blind could see again! And they praised (gave glory to) the God of Israel.

THE POWERFUL SON OF GOD IS AMAZING AND WORTHY OF PRAISE.

The gentile crowd saw these miracles and glorified the God of Israel because the power of Jesus made the presence of God unmistakably clear.

Matthew 15:32
 Then Jesus called his disciples and told them, “I feel sorry for these people (most translations say I have compassion for these people).  They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat. I don’t want to send them away hungry, or they will faint along the way.”

THE POWERFUL SON OF GOD IS COMPASSIONATE.

Matthew 15:33-36
The disciples replied, “Where would we get enough food here in the wilderness (this remote, desolate place) for such a huge crowd?” Jesus asked, “How much bread do you have?” They replied, “Seven loaves, and a few small fish.”  So Jesus told all the people to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to the disciples, who distributed the food to the crowd.  

THE POWERFUL SON OF GOD USES HIS PEOPLE (AND WHAT THEY HAVE).

When you have a need, give thanks for what you do have, and let God multiply it to what you need.

Matthew 15:37-39
They all ate as much as they wanted. (They all ate and were satisfied).  Afterward, the disciples picked up seven large baskets of leftover food (broken pieces). 38 There were 4,000 men who were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children. 39 Then Jesus sent the people home, and he got into a boat and crossed over to the region of Magadan.

THE POWERFUL SON OF GOD SATISFIES AND PROVIDES ABUNDANTLY.

Challenge/Response

• Am I settling?
• Whom do you need to bring to the feet of Jesus? 
• Do you have needs that need to be brought to the feet of Jesus?
• Turn leftovers into reminders.
• Not enough is enough.
• Testify and respond to the Powerful Son of God.
• Ask the question “How powerful is the Son of God?”

The Powerful Son of God by Sam Lynn
Read Matthew 15:29-39; Psalm 103:2-3; and Isaiah 35:5-6.

1. Sam introduces the concept of "Low Power Panic" (LPP), comparing the anxiety of a 5% phone battery to the spiritual exhaustion we feel when we rely on our own strength. In what specific areas of your life are you currently feeling "drained" or running on a low spiritual battery?
2. Read Matthew 15:29-30. This miracle takes place in the Gentile region of Decapolis, reaching a completely different crowd than the previous feeding of the 5,000. How does it encourage you to know that Jesus’ power and compassion are not limited to one "insider" group but are extended to everyone who is broken?
3. The passage describes two groups: those who were suffering and those who physically brought them to Jesus' feet. Who in your life is currently "lame" or "blind" spiritually, and how can you practically bring them to the feet of Jesus through prayer or invitation this week?
4. Sam notes that Jesus "healed them all," completely restoring people whose problems far exceeded their own ability to fix. Why is it often easier to believe Jesus can "improve" our situation slightly rather than believing He can fully restore and heal what is broken?
5. Read Matthew 15:32. Compassion is defined here as being "moved deeply from within"—literally feeling it in your gut. How does it change your view of God to realize that Jesus’ power is activated by His deep emotional love for you, rather than a desire to dominate or control?
6. Despite having seen a similar miracle recently, the disciples still wondered where they would find food in such a "remote, desolate place". Why are we so prone to forget God's past faithfulness the moment we are faced with a new, difficult problem?
7. Jesus asks, "How much bread do you have?" and uses their meager seven loaves and few fish. Sam emphasizes that "power with God does not depend on how much you have; it depends on who holds what you have". What "small" resources or talents are you hesitant to give to God because you think they aren't enough?
8. Read Matthew 15:36. Jesus gave thanks for the food before the miracle was visible. What would it look like for you to give thanks by faith for a current need in your life before you actually see God’s provision?
9. The disciples became "distributors" of the miracle, handing out bread that was being created as they moved through the crowd. How does viewing yourself as an ambassador or distributor of God’s grace change the way you interact with people in your workplace or community?
10. Read Matthew 15:37-38. The miracle resulted in seven large baskets of leftovers, using a specific Greek word for baskets large enough to hold a human being. How does the reality of this "overflowing abundance" challenge the habit of settling for mere "samples" of God's grace?
11. Close in Prayer: Thank Jesus for being the Powerful Son of God who satisfies our deepest hungers. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you stay "connected to the source" this week, trusting that His power never runs out even when your own resources are low.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Analogy for Understanding: Living the Christian life on your own strength is like trying to use a smartphone that is unplugged and dying; you can see the potential of the device, but you lack the power to make it function. Spiritual security is not about trying to "charge your own battery" through effort, but about staying constantly connected to the Power Source. When we are "plugged in" to Christ through faith, His infinite resources flow through our limited lives, turning our "not enough" into more than enough for everyone we encounter.

We started implementing a new membership process back in early 2025, and we are so grateful for how God has directed us as we have done so. As a result, we have seen many new connections develop and deepened accountability for those who call CFC their church. We believe we are growing into a healthier church family, and we hope you’ve felt that too. It has been such an encouragement to see how God has already been working in the lives of our newest members. Several of them have already started serving in various ministries at CFC and participating in small groups and Bible studies. They are providing great examples of what healthy church membership looks like! 
 
If you are interested in moving toward becoming a member of CFC, find out more about the 3-step process and relevant dates for it at onlinecfc.com/membership. The first step in the process is the Intro to CFC Class; the next opportunity to attend will be on July 19.
 
To our newest members (who are listed below): Welcome! We are so thrilled that you have completed the membership process, and we are eager to see how God will continue to grow you and work through your lives! 
 
We can’t wait to worship with all of you this Sunday!

Lauren Ashby
Brian & Carrie Craver
Grant and Kristen Ferguson 
Jim & Lovina Heavrin
Kathy Kormelink
Victoria Mayer
Shawn & Angela McGrew 
Dave Moss
Aaron Peacock
Mark & Daisy Mae Penaflor
Paul & Amelia Sebree
Kenney Stephens
ThoSang & Jessica Thang
Mackenzie Victorio
Russ & Missie Wallace

Study Questions for June 14, 2026
The Perfect Son of God by Reid Schultheis
Read Mark 1:1-11; Isaiah 40:3; and Matthew 11:11.

1. Reid references John Calvin’s teaching that true wisdom consists of two parts: the knowledge of God and the knowledge of ourselves. Why is it essential to start with the knowledge of God before we can truly understand who we are?
2. Read Mark 1:1-4. John the Baptist is described as a messenger shouting in the wilderness to prepare the way for the Lord. In what ways is God currently "clearing the road" in your own life to help you see Jesus more clearly?
3. John the Baptist conducted his ministry in the wilderness rather than in the city of Jerusalem. How does the historical connection to the Israelites' journey through the wilderness (the Exodus) help explain why John was calling people to a "second exodus" through the waters of the Jordan?
4. Read Mark 1:5. The sermon emphasizes that people were only baptized by John after they confessed their sins. Why is the act of admitting we are "not good enough" a necessary starting point for a personal relationship with Christ?
5. Reid warns against conflating being in the "crowd" with being "in Christ". How is it possible to be surrounded by religious activities, family, and community yet still not know Jesus as your personal Savior?
6. Read Mark 1:7-8. Despite Jesus calling him the "greatest man born among women," John the Baptist claimed he wasn't even worthy to untie the Messiah's sandals. How does comparing ourselves to Christ, rather than to other people, help us maintain a proper sense of humility?
7. Reid shares a story about standing at the base of massive redwood trees to illustrate how a "big" tree in his own yard was actually dwarfed by something colossal. When has your view of your own achievements or problems been shifted by a fresh encounter with the greatness of God?
8. Read Mark 1:9-11. At Jesus' baptism, we see the Trinity in action: the Father speaking, the Spirit descending, and the Son being baptized. Since Jesus had no sin, why was it significant for Him to be baptized as a way to "identify" with His people and their need for rescue?
9. The Father declared His pleasure in Jesus before Jesus had performed any acts of public ministry or sacrifice. How does the truth that acceptance precedes obedience in God's kingdom differ from the way you typically experience life in your work, sports, or family?
10. Reid concludes by encouraging believers to be daily delighted by God’s declaration over them in Christ. Do you wake up feeling like God is "well pleased" with you, or do you still feel like you have to perform well to earn His smile?
11. Close in Prayer: Thank Jesus for being the Perfect Son of God who identified with our sin so we could receive His righteousness. Ask the Holy Spirit to quiet your "inner defense attorney" and help you rest in the finished work of Christ this week.

_______________________________________

Analogy for Understanding: Relying on our own goodness for spiritual security is like a defense attorney trying to argue for a guilty client in a courtroom where the Judge already has a full recording of the crime. We often try to justify our actions by comparing ourselves to "worse" people, but true freedom only comes when we stop the defense, admit our need, and accept the perfect record of the Son that the Father offers us as a gift.

“Our wisdom, in so far as it ought to be deemed true and solid Wisdom, consists almost entirely of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves. But as these are connected together by many ties, it is not easy to determine which of the two precedes and gives birth to the other… But though the knowledge of God and the knowledge of ourselves are bound together by a mutual tie, due arrangement requires that we treat of the former in the first place, and then descend to the latter.”
-  Institutes of the Christian Religion, John Calvin Book 1 Chapter 1

Mark 1:1-4, 6
1 This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. It began 2 just as the prophet Isaiah had written: “Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way.3 He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the LORD ’s coming! Clear the road for him!’ ” 4 This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven… 6 His clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.
 
Mark 1:5
All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.
 
Be careful not to conflate being in the crowd with being in Christ

Mark 1:7-8 
7 John announced: “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!”

Be humbled by comparison with Christ

Mark 1:9-11
9 One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. 10 As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”

Be captivated by Christ

Be daily delighted by God’s declaration over you in Christ

We want to take this opportunity to give a big THANK YOU to the hundreds of volunteers that made VBS a success this year! CFC, please join us in praising God for their incredible commitment, hard work, and servant-hearted dedication. Because of their willingness to give their time, energy, and talents, we were able to welcome nearly 300 children each night and provide them with a fun, safe, and Christ-centered environment.
 
Whether you served in teaching, registration, games, music, snacks, security, decorating, or behind the scenes in some other capacity, your contribution played a vital role in what God accomplished this week. We are deeply grateful for each of you and the many hours you invested to make VBS possible!
 
While we celebrate the amazing attendance and all that was accomplished, our greatest prayer is that the seeds of the gospel that were planted throughout the week will take root in the hearts of these children. Please continue to pray that God would draw them to Himself, strengthen their faith, and use His Word to transform their lives for years to come. 
 
Thank you to those who served so faithfully! We praise God for what He has done, and we are deeply thankful for the privilege of serving alongside each of you. CFC is blessed with an incredible Children’s Ministry Team and volunteer base. We are excited to have VBS Family Night at CFC tonight and then worship with everyone Sunday.