‘A Place To Belong’ – 11.5.2023

November 5, 2023
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TO KNOW AND BE KNOWN 

WE ALL FEEL THE NEED TO KNOW AND BE KNOWN. 

  • “You wanna be where you can see that troubles are all the  same. You wanna be where everyone knows your name.” • The early Church is a great picture of knowing and being  known; a community of faith. 

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the  breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many  wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were  together and had everything in common. Acts 2:42-44 NIV 

Key Ingredients of a Life Group at Journey Church: 

  • The Word of God 
  • Fellowship 
  • Breaking bread 
  • Prayer 

Parable of the Lost Son 

11 To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two  sons. 12 The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now  before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. 13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to  a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. 14 About the  time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to  starve. 15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into  his fields to feed the pigs. 16 The young man became so hungry that even the  pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him  anything. Luke 15:11-16 NLT 

  • He had cut people out of his life that he needed. 
  • He disrespected his father. 
  • He had isolated himself from his family. 

17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the  hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger!18 I  will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both  heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.  Please take me on as a hired servant.”’ 20 “So he returned home to his father.  And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with  love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.  21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you,  and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’” Luke 15:17-21 NLT 

  • He had a change of heart and mind. 
  • Repentance is a change of heart and mind. 
  • He confessed his sin and took ownership. 

22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the  house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his  feet.23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a  feast,24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was  lost, but now he is found.’” So the party began. Luke 15:22-24 NLT 

  • The Father lavished him with love, mercy, and grace. • The Father restored him. 
  • They threw a party! 

25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned  home, he heard music and dancing in the house, 26 and he asked one of the  servants what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your  father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe  return.’ 28 The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came  out and begged him, 29 but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and  never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time  you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. 30 Yet  when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on  prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’ 31 His father said to  him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have  is yours. 32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead  and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’” Luke 15:25- 32 NLT 

  • The older brother didn’t feel he belonged there. 
  • The older brother’s judgmental attitude blinded him to what was  most important. 
  • The older brother let greed rob him of blessings.

Next steps for me today… 

  • To realize God knows me and everything about me, yet loves  me. 
  • To join a Life Group where I can connect with other believers.
Next Steps

Handbook & Welcome Packet

•    The parent must complete the necessary registration forms and pay a non-refundable Annual materials fee. This covers registration fees, book, and materials for class.

•    The parent must provide the center with a pre-school/child immunization certificate, or Blue Slip. This is to be kept updated, if it is not, the center will send out a notice stating that the required immunizations are out dated. The form can be obtained through the health department or your pediatrician.

•    The parent will receive a copy of the policies and procedures and will go over them thoroughly. The parent will sign the Parental Agreement form which indicates policies and procedures and agreed upon fees.

•    All enrollment forms, including a Schedule Information Form, must be completed by the parent and returned to the center by the first day of attendance.

•    Parents of children with special needs or handicaps must inform the director of the child’s condition(s) prior to enrollment so it can be determined if the center can adequately meet the needs of the child. This is necessary for the well being of the child.

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