Fusion: week of 11/29

FAMILY THEME: WHEN LIFE REALLY HURTS

Genesis 1:31 ; Philippians 2:5-8 ; Hebrews 4:15 ; 

Romans 5:3-5 ; Job 2:11-13 

Our response to suffering and pain may be our best chance

to reflect God's love.

✞   Place Blame Where It Really Belongs

     (Gen. 1:31)

     God created this world to be good, but sin opened

     the door to pain and suffering.

✞   Know That Jesus Understands Our Suffering

     (Phil. 2:5-8 ; Heb. 4:15)

     Jesus can identify with the pain and suffering of the

     entire world.

✞   Let God Shape Us Through Suffering

     (Rom. 5:3-5)

     Scripture encourages Christians to see suffering as

     a catalyst for growth and change.

✞   Comfort Others Who Are Suffering

     (Job 2:11-13)

     The subject of suffering requires much more than

     answers; it requires a listening ear and a mournful

     spirit. We can share the hope of Christ with others.

Fusion: week of 11/23

   FAMILY THEME: WHEN IT ALL FALLS APART

Job 1:1 - 2:3 

Heartache, difficulties, and tragedy interrupted Job's life.

He grieved, but stayed faithful to God.

✞   Walk with God Before Trials Come

     (Job 1:1-5)

     A lifestyle of faith and godliness helps believers

     overcome the temptation to turn away from God

     when facing loss and suffering.

✞   Know Your Enemy

     (Job 1:6-19)

     Though he is not on the same level as God (and

     is subject to Him), Satan interacts with God over

     the lifestyles of believers and intends to turn us

     against God.

✞   Trust God No Matter What

     (Job 1:20 - 2:3)

     When we withstand Satan's temptations, we

     bring glory to God by holding on to our faith

     and integrity in the face of terrible difficulty.

Fusion: week of 11/15

  FAMILY THEME: EVEN DEATH OBEYS!

John 11:1-44 

Where is Jesus when we are suffering? Does He care? Why

doesn't He answer in the time we think He should? John 11

gives us some insight into these questions.

✞   Trust Jesus' Timing

     (John 11:1-16)

     When Jesus heard Lazarus was sick He did an

     unusual thing - He waited two days.

✞   Trust Jesus for Resurrection and Life

     (John 11:17-29)

     Christ wanted Martha to understand that He is

     the Son of God and that resurrection and eternal

     life are through Him.

✞   Trust Jesus' Compassion and Power

     (John 11:30-44)

     Jesus cared deeply about the brokenness and 

     pain that sin has brought into the world.

Fusion: week of 11/8

 FAMILY THEME: AN ENDLESS SUPPLY

John 6:1-14  ;  Matthew 14:13-21

The feeding of the 5,000 is the only specific miracle recorded

in all four Gospels before the resurrection of Christ.

✞   Know That Jesus Cares

     (Matthew 14:13-14 ; John 6:1-5)

     In spite of His own need for rest, when Jesus saw the

     multitudes, He recognized they were hungry and needy.

✞   Take Problems to Jesus

     (Matthew 14:15-16 ; John 6:6-7)

     The disciples did not have resources to meet the needs

     of the multitudes, but Jesus was not limited in His

     resources.

✞   Trust Jesus' Miraculous Power

     (Matthew 14:17-21 ; John 6:8-14)

     The One who could multiply a little lunch and have 12

     basketfuls left over is still able to meet every need we

     have.