While Surrounded by Meanness and Ugliness, How Not to Become Mean and Ugly

In a world of such political, personal, and many other animosities, we can be surrounded by meanness and ugliness... the Bible speaks powerfully into this so that we do not become mean and ugly ourselves. But rather we are powerful agents of change and redemption.

Titus 2:11-3:11
1 Timothy 2:2
2 Thessalonians 3:11-13
1 Thessalonians 4:10-12
Matthew 5:16,6:3
2 Corinthians 10:1
Galatians 5:23
Ephesians 4:2
1 Timothy 6:11
2 Timothy 2:25
1 Peter 3:5
Matthew 5:5,11:29,21:5

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• How are we surrounded by meanness and ugliness?
• How do we tend to be affected by this?
• How are we supposed to respond?
• What are the reasons the Bible gives as to why we should respond this way?
• This is really hard... what help and hope does God give?
• What were the practical suggestions made in the sermon?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA

Mark: On Being Misunderstood... Yet Pressing Forward

Mark describes Jesus' return to his hometown. Jesus had a complicated relationship with His earthly family... and He said we would too. How did Jesus relate to them and how should we?

Mark 6:1-6,3:20,3:31-33,1:21-22,5:42
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
Isaiah 53:2
John 7:1-5
1 Peter 4:3-5
Matthew 10:16-17,10:21-22,10:32-39

Sermon discussion questions for parents to use with their children:

• Why is a prophet without honor only in his or her family?
• What makes the relationship with one's family complicated for the Christian?
• How did Jesus warn us of this?
• How did Jesus experience this in His own life?
• How are we suppose to treat our families?
• When must we go on without them, or stop and have them go on without us?

Pastor Todd Jaussen
Crossroads Christian Fellowship Church
Greenville, PA