In this series on being great neighbours, that ends this week, we’ve looked at 6 shifts:

Stranger -> Neighbour -> Acquaintance -> Partner -> Friend -> Family

We’ve encouraged you to learn neighbours’ names, stories, work together, become friends, and now your challenge is to find people of peace in your life.  Start sharing Redeem the Commute with them.  Perhaps you could do the Marriage course with your spouse and some other couples.  Or you could do the parenting courses with other parents.  Then take Christianity 101 together, and then the daily challenges.  Make a habit of eating together whenever you can, and talking about things that matter.

This is our vision, to be a network of small groups who are being the church.  We don’t want to be a church you go to, but a church on the go.  We don’t want you to just go to church, but to be the church every day.  We’ll be the church when we are scattered around the GTA at work, and scattered around our various neighbourhoods, but also when we gather for community events.  We started this with our outdoor movie night, and next we have a trivia night.

After that, we’ll have a Christmas event. We want it to be welcoming for local residents and families, generous for those in need, and introduces the story of the original Christmas party. We’re about to start planning, so let Ryan know if you would like to help!

In the next series, Becoming Like Family, we’ll look at what it means for you, and perhaps your own immediate family to be part of God’s family, called the church.  See you there!

Challenge: Ask your person of peace for help with the party you’re planning.  Then invite them to follow challenges, or another course, with you.

Ryan Sim - March 6, 2014

Thursday - Act On It - Reset Family

Families learn through routines. One blog author wrote: “What families regard as important is evidenced by the manner in which they spend their time.” How do we spend our time? Watching TV, playing video games, or shopping? Sadly, many families devote more time to these things than they do teaching their children about God, or just simply spending quality time together.” http://theresurgence.com/2009/08/19/discipleship-starts-at-home-part-1 Yesterday we talked about teaching Christian values in day to day life, but what about teaching them the source of those values? Today we’ll focus on reading the Bible together. Here are some tips from http://theresurgence.com/2009/08/22/discipleship-starts-at-home-part-2 Find a good children’s Bible. Remember to have fun with your children while learning the Bible. Keep the time brief to hold the child's attention. Recite the verse several times a day in your child's presence so it becomes familiar to them. Make flash cards with Scripture on one side and the book, chapter, and verse on the other. Put the verse to music or rhythm. Your child will enjoy singing and clapping their hands. Think of fun activities to make the verse fun and easy to remember. Tell them you are proud of them and have them recite it to someone else, like a grandparent or teacher. Pray with your children every day at meals and before they go to bed at night. Some other resources: http://www.sermons4kids.com/ and http://www.dltk-kids.com/ Challenge: What routines will you introduce into your personal and/or family life to practice Christian faith? How can RTC support you as a family? What kind of church community would help you disciple your children? Complete our survey here: Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8TS7K93

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