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FAMILY NEWSNO CLASS TONIGHT: Our teacher will be in Grand Rapids for medical tests tomorrow, so he is driving to Grand Rapids this afternoon. We will have a singing in place of the class tonight. Come worship with us in song at 6:00! DEVOTIONAL ON TUESDAY: On the third Tuesday of the month we have a devotional with other members of the church from around the area. The devotional begins at 7:00 with a time of sharing, prayer, and singing. We have a Bible study and then a period of fellowship with light refreshments. Everyone is welcome. Bring a Bible and come. Some of us bring finger foods, popcorn and drinks are provided. This devotional is held at John and Cindy Claytons' house, 1555 Echo Valley Drive which is between Niles and Buchanan. If you need directions, see John. TIMBERS DEVOTIONAL: Our thanks to everyone who came to the devotional last Sunday at Timbers. We had a good group who sang and encouraged folks that relish someone caring and taking some time to visit them. Thanks to everyone who gave of their time and energy to make this time special for everyone at Timbers. TODAY'S LESSON
INTRODUCTION
A. Pollution is a huge problem in today's physical world.
I. WE GET POLLUTED WHEN CONTAMINANTS ARE NOT CONTAINED.
B. Spiritual pollution is even a greater problem. C. A baby is pure and unpolluted — Matt 18:2 – 4 & 19:14. D. We need to think about our spiritual pollution issues. A. Agriculture, mining, industry
II. POLLUTION HAPPENS WHEN WE ARE NOT PREPARED PROPERLY TO HANDLE IT.
B. Spiritual contamination happens in the same way. 1. 1 Corinthians 15:33 — homilia — being crowded together
C. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 — The ideal for Christians2. Do we contain what we see and hear? 3. Do we contain our speech? James 3:6; Ephesians 4:29 A. Proverbs 22:6 — An encouraging observation
III. WHAT DOES POLLUTION DO?
B. Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21 — See article on The Back Page below. C. 2 Timothy 3:14 – 17 — We need to grow in the Word (food). A. Clouds your view of the real world — physical.
IV. WHAT IS THE CURE FOR POLLUTION? EDUCATION
1. Milky way, Andromeda, St. Joseph River, etc.
B. Causes bad decisions because data is bad.
2. Spiritual — Leads to bad vision of what matters Marriage, sex, things, gratitude 1. Who we marry, why have children.
C. Pollution causes malignancy — cancer
2. Necessitates nurturing relationships — Titus 2:3 – 4 1. Actually normal cells gone astray
D. Wastes resources — think of the cost
2. Only cure is killing the cells 3. Spiritual pollution causes unhealthy behavior a. 1 Corinthians 15:33 b. Galatians 5:19 – 21 1. Physical, spiritual A. Galatians 6:7 – 9 — Are you willing to fight pollution?
THE BACK PAGEBUILDING A CHILDREN'S PROGRAMOne of the challenges we face here at Dowagiac is how to reach out to young families. A lot of congregations face this issue, and God has in many cases sent a young family into a graying congregation to build a children's program only to have it die because of lack of support from within the congregation. Jesus expressed a special love and regard for children as he walked among humans on earth (Mark 9:37; 10:13). The charge to parents to raise their child “in the training and the instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21) is one we all need to work at together. It is a tough time to raise a child, and there are lots of programs in the denominational world that have great bells and whistles that are attractive to kids and to their parents, but do not teach God's word in an effective way. For many years we have tried and have prayed to have a family that would provide leadership and begin an outreach to other families. Samantha Wheeler has done her very best to do this, but the demands of leading a children's program require a great deal of time and energy from everyone involved, not just one woman. There have been other families we had great hopes for, but no one has been willing to be involved in a way that would allow an outreach to other families and other children. God has sent us Shane and Mandy Wallace with son Benjamin (and grandmother Brenda) who have expressed their willingness to work with us and be a part of this congregation. We have teachers who have experience and who know about classes and materials that will be useful and interesting to children. Our facility is not perfect, but it is adequate and can be improved as needed. We have several other children who we hope will be with us soon and so we have a nucleus forming. Let us all support this effort. We are buying materials and are talking about how to advertise to young families in a way that will bring more precious young souls to our classes and ultimately to the Lord. Our prayers are being answered in a wonderful way. Let us praise God and move forward to bring the children to Christ. — John Clayton Our sign by the street!
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