Family Roots
Family Roots
- Jeff Mattesich
- Luke 18:18 & Acts 2:14
- The Breakthrough
- 43 mins 11 secs
- Views: 1085
Pastor's Letter
Family Roots - Week 2
In 2001 our premarital counselor said to us, “you will need to figure out what you want to keep and what you want to change”. He was asking us to dream about what kind of marriage and what kind of family we wanted to have. Who were the Mattesich’s going to be? What was going to be our family identity? The work began that day to think about what the positive things that our parents and families did that we wanted to continue and what were some things and areas that we wanted to change. This kind of exercise is common for many of us as we are used to thinking in these ways, especially at beginnings. Whether it be at a graduation, a new job, getting married, having children, or any host of new beginnings that life bring to us.
In 2001 our premarital counselor said to us, “you will need to figure out what you want to keep and what you want to change”. He was asking us to dream about what kind of marriage and what kind of family we wanted to have. Who were the Mattesich’s going to be? What was going to be our family identity? The work began that day to think about what the positive things that our parents and families did that we wanted to continue and what were some things and areas that we wanted to change. This kind of exercise is common for many of us as we are used to thinking in these ways, especially at beginnings. Whether it be at a graduation, a new job, getting married, having children, or any host of new beginnings that life bring to us.
In many ways the book of Acts is a new beginning in the story of God. While “newness” shows up throughout the book (and will in this weeks message too), Acts also contains many things that have been part of the Bible from throughout the Old Testament and the Gospels. Acts then serves as a voice telling the Church, as this new beginning starts do not forget your roots. This week we will look specifically at one part of those roots as we see the intentionality of intergenerational relationships and the ways that God created us to live together in His world.
In many ways we have gotten away from these roots in the Church. We can gravitate and prefer to be among only those who are either in our life-stage or age range. With great intention and thought we have based our ministries on age. In our intentionality and desire to disciple and care for specific ages and stages, we have forgotten how to be together. Having a child in “big church” bothers many of us and we have hundreds of young people who do not even know the names of those who have given their lives to build Lake Avenue Church. We sing different songs and fail to see the beauty and appreciate why those songs matter to one another. We are simply disconnected from one another and this is not how it is supposed to be! My prayer is that each one of will either learn or be reminded of our family roots found in the Scripture and see what role we are each to play in getting back to those roots at Lake Avenue Church.
To His Glory,
Jeff Mattesich
Associate Pastor of Children's & Student Ministries
Study Guide
Family Roots - Week 2 - Study Guide
Family Roots
Luke 18:15-17, Acts 2:14-21
Within Mark 8:27–10:45, Jesus both called and taught people to follow him. This has often been called “the discipleship section” of Mark’s gospel. At the beginning and end of his teaching, Jesus healed two blind men.
- Read Luke 18:15-17, what is the significance of Jesus’s words in response to the actions of his disciples? What can we learn both about the disciples’ attitudes towards children and Jesus’ attitude towards children?
- Share about a relationship you have had with someone older and someone younger in the face. What has that relationship meant for your spiritual life?
- Spend some time thinking and searching the entire Bible and find verses and stories that illustrate the role of intergenerational relationships. Acts 2:14-21, has significance in the search. What do those verses mean to this Biblical search?
- Share about your dreams for Lake Avenue Church and our desire to get back to our roots of intergenerational relationships. What are the challenges that present themselves to us, and what are the exciting possibilities to you?
2013 Study Series • Copyright © 2013, Lake Avenue Church