Grace’s new NextGen Pastor, Jack Gilbert, shared this family Sunday about the power of example. Children, teens (really all of us!) become what we SEE modeled — not what we’re TOLD to be. When we focus on putting Jesus at the center of every part of our lives, we become worthy of imitation.

The crisis of identity was present in the Garden of Eden at the very beginning, and as a result of sin, doubt was introduced into the heart of humanity leading us to believe that we are the ones who define our own identity.

This Sunday, Pastor Tim contrasts the story of man's fall in the garden in the Old Testament with the parable of the prodigal son in the New Testament and shows us how only the creator is the only one capable of defining his creation.

Our parents were broken people. And with a heart of good intentions, most dads did their best to raise their children. However this didn't always have amazing results in our lives. But the importance forgiving our fathers, no matter the mistake, has a direct impact on our own healing.

This week, Pastor Tim shares part two, "The Dad Connection," with us and shows us how we often times assign attributes of our earthly fathers to God the Father. And that despite our greatest attempts, we cannot receive true healing unless we are willing to forgive as often as necessary.

Wounds run deep in all of us. And these aren't the "someone cut me off," or "I'm hurt because of what someone said," kinds of hurt. These are hurts that are deep in our hearts that take root in our lives. In the first session of Pastor Tim's new series, "Healing Our Deepest Wounds," He starts by helping us to understand what a wound is.

Are your children prepared for battle? Spiritual and physical battles rage all around us...what have you done to prepare your kids to be warriors?

In the final part of our series, "...so the next generation might know..." we explore how the next generation of Israel wasn't prepared for battle when Joshua passed away and the time of Judges stepped in to lead Israel. Instead of conquering enemies and receiving their inheritance, they instead compromised and tried to make neighbors instead of enemies in the Promised Land.

The church in Ephesus had so much to learn, just like us! The Apostle Paul's writing to Ephesus teaches us that there have been incredible things that have happened there as part of the early church. But, in the same way that can happen to each of us, they lost their first love!

On this Pentecost Sunday, Pastor Carey Higgins shares with us the priority of the Holy Spirit and how his importance is more than just that initial receipt of salvation. His importance is in our every moment.

Humility is never a weakness, especially when it comes to parenting or leading your family. Our ability to be humble and repentant draws us closer to God and, as a natural result, it allows our children to be drawn closer to God as well.

This Sunday Pastor Tim continues his series on the next generation and reminds each of us that humble conversations are key to leading and raising the next generation.

When presented with choosing between the world, or following the Lord God…Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego choose to follow the Lord God. But if the choice were presented to us, would we make the same decision? Even if it meant something being easier in your life? Or giving into the Kings demands to sacrifice an idol that didn’t represent your faith?

This Sunday, we were blessed by Pastor Susan May as she shared a word from Daniel, Chapter 3 and takes the time to show us a bigger purpose through the actions of these simple men, so long ago.

There’s two significant groups that speak into the discipleship of the next generation. The family (grandma’s, grandpa’s, mom’s, dad’s, aunt’s, uncle’s, etc.) and their community of faith.

In Part 2 of this series Pastor Tim speaks specifically to each of those groups about the importance of the next generation and the priority of never giving up on them.

Always be willing to serve. Always be willing to teach. Always be willing to give a helping hand. That is what we are ALL called to do.

In part 1 Pastor Tim focuses on Psalm 78:1-9 (NLT) and shows us the responsibility we all have to preserve, teach, train, and raise the next generation in the “things our Father told us.”

He also discusses how discipline the next generation is a top priority and closes with an exciting announcement to move in the right direction to achieve that top priority.