NMBC's Big Apple Adventure: July 25-29

143! That's the number of children currently registered for this year's VBS, Big Apple Adventure taking place July 25th thur 29th. I'm excited about the spiritual impact of this week on the families that will participate and on our church. If you've yet to register your children or know of a neighbor you've invited but has not yet registered please do so a.s.a.p. A registration form can be downloaded from www.nmbchurch.org.

The 3 year old and pre-K classes are currently full. If you've thought about volunteering for VBS but were not sure you were needed... you're needed! Email Linda Kolk at lkolk2294@aol.com to volunteer.

Dangerous Church 4: Acts 6:8-7:60 Questions for Discussion and Reflection

Read Acts 6:8-15. What were the accusations made against Stephen? In what ways are these accusations similar to the accusations made about Jesus? (See Matthew 26:59-61)

What does Matthew 5:17 and John 2:19-21 reveal about what Stephen was actually preaching?

Compare Stephen’s countenance in Acts 6:15 with Moses in Exodus 34:29-35. What does Proverbs 15:13 reveal about our countenance?

Read John 16:1-4. Why was the martyrdom of Stephen not a surprise to the apostles?

Compare Stephen’s last words in Acts 7:60 with the Jesus’ words in Luke 23:34.

A pattern in Luke’s writing is to contrast personalities (Acts 6:5). After Stephen is martyred Luke features Philip prominently. (Acts 8:4-8ff) Why might Luke juxtapose Stephen and Philip? (For further insight see John 21:21-22)

Read Hebrews 11:34-37. Both those who were miraculously delivered as well as those who were martyred are commended for their faith. What application does this offer the Christian facing persecution?

Read Romans 12:1. What are all Christians called to do?

Hawkins' Testimony

NMBC Mission Partners Dave & Vickie Hawkins (http://missioncma.com/biohawkins.html) are asking for prayer for their son Josh and their family who have been displaced by the recent flooding in Minot, ND. Josh, Angela and his pastor were interviewed in this news clip. Praise God for their faithful testimony amid this catastrophe. Pray for relief of those displaced by the flood and that God uses the Hawkins' testimony to draw others to Christ.

What makes heaven, heaven? Check out this challenging video by John Piper.

Dangerous Church: Acts 6:1-8 Questions for Discussion and Reflection

Acts 6:1-7 is summed up with the phrase, “So the word of God spread” (“flourished”, HCSB). Compare this with Acts 12:24 and 19:20. Under what conditions did the preaching of the gospel flourish?

“Preaching” is a more accurate portrayal of the apostle’s ministry in Acts 6:7, than merely “word” or “message” (Acts 6:7, see www.mystudybible.com). What do the following Scriptures reveal about the importance of preaching?

Mark 1:38—

Mark 16:15—

Luke 4:43—

Romans 10:14-15—

2 Timothy 4:2—

Titus 1:9—

1 Thessalonians 2:13—

Hebrews 4:2—

Read Acts 6:3. What were the requirements of those called upon to resolve this conflict? Compare these requirements with 1 Timothy 3:8-13.

How did onlookers as well as those in the church respond to the apostle’s resolution to this conflict? (Acts 6:7)

What is God calling you (your family) to do in response to this study?

Acts 5:33-43 Questions for Discussion and Reflection

Read Acts 5:33-39. What did some in the Sanhedrin want to do to the apostles?
What did Gamaliel predict, if the apostles were wrong? Was Gamaliel’s counsel wise counsel as to knowing and doing the will of God? What do the following Scriptures reveal as to God’s will? 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Samuel 7:21; Psalm 103:20; Ephesians 5:17; Romans 2:18; and 1 Peter 4:19

Proverbs 21:1 states, “A king's heart is a water channel in the LORD's hand: He directs it wherever He chooses.” Even though there is no record of Gamaliel repenting and believing in Jesus as his Messiah (see Acts 22:3) he was used by God to accomplish His purposes. Read Ruth 1:6 and 4:14. What is the testimony of God’s invisible hand (or providence) in these scriptures?

In what specific ways does our trust in God’s invisible hand to work all things for His glory make us a dangerous church?

Application:

Trusting God’s invisible hand in your life often calls for radical changes to align our lives with God’s will. Spend some time reading and meditating on the following Scriptures. What is God calling you to do as a result of this study?

Romans 12:2; Romans 8:5; Galatians 5:16-17; James 1:20; 1 Peter 1:14, 4:2 and 1 John 2:15-17.

Welcome Nick...& How to pray for your pastors and deacons

Last Sunday I shared with the church family the news of our call to Nick D’Angelo to serve as our full-time youth pastor. This Sunday, June 12th we’ll lay hands on Nick as a church asking for God’s blessing on his life and ministry. 1 Timothy 5:22 instructs us, “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands” (ESV). It is significant to me that God allowed us to call a young man who is already part of our church family. For two years we’ve watched Nick in action, observing his passion for the gospel and for teens. I am excited to partner with Nick and am looking forward to even greater impact for Christ in the lives of teens and families in the months and years ahead.

Nick’s “new” email address is nick@nmbchurch.org. Shoot him an email and let him know you are glad to have him on board and are praying for him. On the topic of prayer… thank you for your faithfulness in prayer for our pastor and deacon team. Here are some specific prayers you can be praying for Nick and the rest of the leadership team (from Carlisle Baptist Church):

A helpful list of ideas you to pray for your pastors and deacons.

A) Pray that they will never not pray. -pray with Psalm 127:1,2

B) Pray that they will be the most prayed for church. -pray with Jeremiah 33:3 and Matthew 7:7

C) Pray that they will reflect the fruit of the Spirit to everyone. -pray with Galatians 5:22,23

D) Pray that they will leave nothing undone. -pray with Joshua 11:15

E) Pray that they will delight yourself in the Lord. -pray with Psalm 37:4

F) Pray that they will never be prideful. -pray with Proverbs 16:18

G) Pray that they will never betray your wife. -pray with Exodus 20:14

H) Pray that they will make disciples. -pray with Matthew 28:19

I) Pray that they will always be honest with God. -pray with I John 1:9

J) Pray that the Word of God will keep spreading. -pray with Acts 6:7

k) Pray for the protection of their family and your church family daily. – pray with John 17:15

L) Pray that their family will not grow weary. – pray with Galatians 6:9

M) Pray for God’s perfect and acceptable will for your life. – pray with every verse that comes to your mind.

Senior Send-Off, TONIGHT, June 9th @ 6:30

NMBC, come out tonight for the Senior Send-Off, to cheer on this year's high school graduates. Dinner starts at 6:30-- thank you Mark DelRusso and Joe Fernandes- you guys rock. A big THANK YOU to Gary Steidl, Nick D'Angelo and the whole youth ministry team. Know that your work of ministry to our youth is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

More Blessed

I spoke this afternoon with the dad whose family we as a church were able to help last week. He and his family are now enrolled with Monmouth County's Family Promise. His wife starts work this Thursday and he was on his way to drop off the seventh job application of the week. NMBC, you blessed this family by providing food and housing until they begin with Family Promise. While we blessed them Jesus said in Acts 20:35, we are even more blessed, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Thank you for your generosity. I'm honored to be a part of a church family that demonstrates its love for Jesus by loving people.

As you feel led, know that your generosity to the Deacon's Fellowship Fund is used in very tangible ways to bless others. Check out Monmouth County's Family Promise website at www.http://familypromisemc.org/homelessness.html to learn more about homelessness in New Jersey. Let's continue to seek out ways our church can be used to bless families in need, in Jesus' name.

Men's Breakfast and Bible Study Kicks Off New Study Thursday, June 9th

Men, the Thursday Morning Bible-Study kicks off tomorrow (June 9th) at 6:30 A.M. at NMBC with a "new" (classic) study-- Gene A. Getz's book The Measure of a Man. We'll share breakfast together then read chapter one, "Becoming a Faithful Man." Need more motivation for the importance of a study like this? Check out Matt Chandler's comments below--

Acts 5:12-32 Courageous Faith: Questions for Discussion and Reflection

Compare the healings that occurred in Acts 5:14-16 with the healing of the woman who touched Jesus’ robe in Mark 5:24-34. According to Mark 5:30 what was the cause of the woman’s healing? In Mark 5:34, what does Jesus say touching of His robe represented? What are some other objects that have been used to represent faith? (Exodus 10:13; 1 Kings 17:10-16; John 9:11; Acts 19:11-12; and James 5:14)

How would you answer someone who believed that a certain object or person (other than Christ) has “healing power”? (Note: See Peter’s response when questioned as to the healing of the crippled man in Acts 4:10).

What is the role of faith in the “Armor of God” for the Christian who poses a threat to this world system or the devil? (Ephesians 6:16)

Compare Acts 5:17-19 with Acts 23:8. What is significant about God sending an angel to rescue and instruct the apostles?

To what extent do you face hostility for living out the gospel? What does this reveal? Are you living a “dangerous life”? (2 Timothy 3:12)

Parents, how are you helping your children apply Acts 5:29, “We must obey God rather than men”? What are examples in your life where you’ve chosen to do the “hard thing”, even if it resulted in hardship? Share these experiences as a family.