Be aware that deception is still the goal of our enemy.

Romans 16:17-20
17 And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. 18 Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people. 19 But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

No sins are more dangerous than those accepted and celebrated by society.

Romans 5:1-2
1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

Remember that in the midst of adversity, we are not alone in the struggle for faithfulness.

Romans 16:21-23
21 Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you his greetings, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow Jews. 22 I, Tertius, the one writing this letter for Paul, send my greetings, too, as one of the Lord’s followers. 23 Gaius says hello to you. He is my host and also serves as host to the whole church. Erastus, the city treasurer, sends you his greetings, and so does our brother Quartus.

2 Timothy 4:14-17
14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm, but the Lord will judge him for what he has done. 15 Be careful of him, for he fought against everything we said. 16 The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death.

Remember that in the midst of spiritual adversity, we will always have reasons for praise and thanksgiving.

Romans 16:25-27
25 Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. 26 But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him. 27 All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.

Romans 1:16-17
16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. 17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

Romans 11:25
I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ.

Ephesians 3:6
And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.

Romans 1:5
Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.

Study Questions will be posted on Sunday afternoon.

Anytime Dale doesn’t give the message on a Sunday, we get questions asking how he’s doing and if everything is OK. We love that you care so much for our Teaching Pastor! Here is a message from Dale:
 
I wanted to let you know that Andrée and I will be taking some vacation time next month. It will be our privilege to have Reid Schultheis preaching each Sunday in October as he leads us through a four-week sermon series titled "Multifaceted."
 
Reid describes the series this way: "Jesus calls us to love others just as He has loved us. As we explore and experience three ways Christ loves us, we will be primed to love others similarly. Christ loves us by reminding us that in Him we are saints, by sitting and grieving with us in our suffering, and by convicting us when we are caught in sin."
 
This gives Reid the chance not only to craft an entire sermon series, but also to deliver it from start to finish. Please pray for him as he leads us through this study of the ministry of Jesus. Andrée and I would also be grateful for your prayers for us that this will be a time of genuine rest and recreation.
 
We look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday as Dale completes our study in the book of Romans! See you then.

NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to the newest CFC members. We are eager to see how God will continue to grow you and work through your lives! 
 
If you’d like to start the membership process, plan to come to the Intro to CFC Class on October 4 and the Membership Class on November 8. Learn about membership HERE. 

Marcelline Ada Kabre
Anna Cornelius
Thomas Cornelius
Faith Griffin
Cedric & Pulcherie Guissou
Patricia Jackson
Tamika Liebhart
John Martin
Eli Miller
Jamil & Mady Myrick
Willie & Brittany Nelson
Joe & Megan Southwell
Zane & Breilee Springer
Jeff Stein
Ciana Valiant
Jovie Valiant
Adam & Lauren Wadlington
Pat Weathers
Charlie & Kara Wonnell

Stay up to date with what's happening at CFC by reading the eBulletin each week.

1. Pastor Dale shares statistics showing that Americans generate 292.4 million tons of trash per year (about 4.9 pounds per person daily) to illustrate our "disposable culture," warning against bringing a single-use, "use and lose" mindset into our relationships. How can a transactional view of people—treating others as commodities to leverage and discard—damage the life of a local church community?
2. Read Romans 16:1-2. Paul commends Phoebe, a deacon in Cenchrea who served as the trusted courier delivering the scroll of Romans and as a financial benefactor (prostatis) to Paul and many others. What does her prominent role teach us about the vital contributions of women and financial partners in gospel ministry?
3. Scholars estimate that producing the scroll of Romans cost around $2,000 in today's currency, requiring significant financial resources, travel expenses, and materials. How does recognizing the practical financial cost of ministry challenge us to be generous with our own resources to support gospel partnerships?
4. Read Romans 16:3-5a and Acts 18:24-26. Priscilla and Aquila were not only tentmaking co-workers who risked their lives for Paul, but they also privately took Apollos aside to explain "the way of God even more accurately". Why is humble, relational discipleship essential for developing strong leaders in the church?
5. Read Romans 16:7. Andronicus and Junia became followers of Christ before Paul did and were imprisoned alongside him. Considering Paul's past as a violent persecutor of the church, why did it require supernatural trust for early believers to overcome suspicion and embrace him as a genuine brother in Christ?
6. Pastor Dale reflects on how Paul's past reputation followed him, comparing it to how people in small towns often remember someone by their high school mistakes. Is there a past mistake or old reputation that you struggle to move past, or that prevents you from seeing how God has transformed someone else?
7. Read Romans 16:13. Paul greets Rufus—whose father, Simon of Cyrene, carried Jesus' cross (Mark 15:21)—and calls Rufus's mother a "mother to me". How does God provide spiritual mothers, fathers, and family members within the local church when earthly family ties are strained or absent?
8. Read Romans 16:10-15. In this list of 27 individual names, Paul addresses slaves, royalty, prominent businesspeople, Jews, Gentiles, men, and women all sharing fellowship together. Read Galatians 3:28. How does the gospel break down societal walls to create true unity across diverse cultural and economic backgrounds?
9. Early believers met in house churches (like the one hosted by Priscilla and Aquila) long before dedicated church buildings existed in the third century. How does gathering in small groups or home settings foster the kind of authentic, non-disposable community Paul describes?
10. The sermon concludes that church unity and gospel partnerships rely on four key pillars: sacrifice, service, security, and support. Which of these four areas is God calling you to invest in more deeply within your local church family right now?
11. Close in Prayer: Thank the Father for adopting us into His family and giving us a permanent place in His body. Ask the Holy Spirit to free your heart from any "disposable" mindset toward relationships, and pray for the grace to serve as a faithful coworker in your church community this week.

__________________________________________
Analogy for Understanding:  Living in gospel community is like treating people as fine family heirlooms at a shared table rather than single-use paper plates. In a disposable culture, relationships are often treated like paper plates or plastic utensils—convenient for a quick transaction, but tossed out the moment they require effort or no longer serve a personal benefit. In contrast, Paul’s list of distinct co-workers in Romans 16 shows that in the local church, every person—whether slave or royalty, business partner or spiritual mother—is priceless and permanent. Rather than "using and losing" people as tools, true gospel partnership requires the intentional, hands-on care of sacrifice, service, security, and support to bind us together as an enduring spiritual family where every member is valued and held secure in Christ.

In a disposable society where human relationships are often used and discarded, Romans 16 highlights the specific and priceless value of unity in the church and partnering for the gospel.

Romans 16:1-2
1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. 2 Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me.

Romans 16:3-5a
3 Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus. 4 In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches. 5 Also give my greetings to the church that meets in their home.

Acts 18:24-26
24 Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt. 25 He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy. However, he knew only about John’s baptism. 26 When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately.

Romans 16:5b-9
Greet my dear friend Epenetus. He was the first person from the province of Asia to become a follower of Christ. 6 Give my greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for your benefit. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews, who were in prison with me. They are highly respected among the apostles and became followers of Christ before I did. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.

Romans 16:10-13
10 Greet Apelles, a good man whom Christ approves. And give my greetings to the believers from the household of Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet the Lord’s people from the household of Narcissus. 12 Give my greetings to Tryphena and Tryphosa, the Lord’s workers, and to dear Persis, who has worked so hard for the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, whom the Lord picked out to be his very own; and also his dear mother, who has been a mother to me.

Romans 16:14-16
14 Give my greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who meet with them. 15 Give my greetings to Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and to Olympas and all the believers who meet with them. 16 Greet each other with a sacred kiss. All the churches of Christ send you their greetings.

Galatians 3:28
There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Church unity and gospel partnerships depend upon sacrifice, service, security, and support.

Next Friday will literally be a BLAST!
 
We can’t wait to see the CFC Family here on Friday, September 25 (one week from today) for our annual Fall Blast. We hope you will join us!
We consider this a local outreach event, so invite your friends and family to come with you, too. The CFC Kids’ staff is making over 450 candy bags with the gospel message in them for kids. You can still donate wrapped bags of candy in the bins in the foyer until this Sunday. We are also sending postcards to the neighborhoods around CFC inviting them and letting them know that there will be fireworks.
 
If you are coming, here is what you need to know:

• The inflatables, games, and food trucks open at 5PM. 
• You can see a list of the planned food trucks and their menus HERE. The food trucks are the only thing you will need money for. Everything else is free!
• There are inflatables for little kids, and we’ll have some more extreme ones for bigger kids, too.
• The Worship Team will be playing music, and we’ll have games like 9-square, sand volleyball, and gaga ball set up.
• We’ll have 3 hayrides going.
• Emergency and safety vehicles will be here.
• Be sure to bring a lawn chair so you can sit and listen to music and watch the fireworks.
• Fireworks will start at 7:15PM, and the parking lot lights will go out. If you have kids, make sure you know where they are (or they know where you are) prior to lights out. Everything will restart when the firework show is over. 
• See an event map HERE. 

It’s always a great time, so we hope you’re planning to come! And, if you invite someone to come with you who doesn’t have a home church, invite them to come back to worship with us on Sunday!

Speaking of Sunday, we will celebrate Communion together THIS Sunday, and it will look a little different than how we’ve done it for the last several years. Watch THIS VIDEO from Joe with more information on how and why.
 
We’ll see you Sunday, then we’ll see you next Friday at Fall Blast!

Remember that Jesus came as the Servant for all. (15:8-13)

Romans 15:8-9a
8 Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors. 9 He also came so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercies to them.

Remember God's grace in getting the gospel to you. (15:14-19)

Romans 15:15b-18
For by God’s grace, 16 I am a special messenger from Christ Jesus to you Gentiles. I bring you the Good News so that I might present you as an acceptable offering to God, made holy by the Holy Spirit. 17 So I have reason to be enthusiastic about all Christ Jesus has done through me in my service to God. 18 Yet I dare not boast about anything except what Christ has done through me, bringing the Gentiles to God by my message and by the way I worked among them.

Where are you ambitious and patient with the gospel? (15:20-24)

Romans 15:20-21a
20 My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else. 21 I have been following the plan spoken of in the Scriptures....."

Passionate Proclamation
Luke 24:44-47
44 Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. 47 It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’

Deliberate Discipleship
Matthew 28:18-20
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Gospel partnership happens in many ways. Join in! (15:25-33)

Romans 15:30
Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit.

For Those Who Have Never Been Told by Dale Beaver
Read Romans 15:8-33; Luke 24:44-47; and Matthew 28:18-20.

1. Pastor Dale states that real gospel obedience is ambitious enough to go where no one has heard the gospel and patient enough to stay once arriving. How do you see both ambition and patience functioning in your own spiritual journey or witness?
2. Read Romans 15:8-13. Paul cites Old Testament passages from the Psalms and Isaiah to prove that God's plan always included Gentiles giving glory to God. Why is it encouraging to know that God's mercy to all nations was part of His intentional design long before Christ came?
3. Pastor Dale likens Paul to a spiritual doctor who uses tools to check vital signs like faith, hope, and love. In Romans 15:13, Paul specifically focuses on the vital sign of hope. How would you evaluate the current "vital sign" of your hope in God's promises?
4. Read Romans 15:14-19. Paul references his role as a special messenger to the Gentiles, giving them "parental reminders" grounded in God's grace. Who has God placed in your life to give you gentle, persistent reminders to keep walking with Christ?
5. Pastor Dale highlights the Greek word for patience or longsuffering (makrothumia), which combines "large" and "suffering". He also shares a Kentucky saying: "If you meet a jerk in the morning, you met a jerk; if you meet jerks all day, you're the jerk". How does recognizing our own need for others' patience help us extend supernatural patience to people around us?
6. Read Romans 15:20-24. Paul expresses his gospel ambition to preach where Christ has never been named rather than building on another's foundation. The sermon cites a Lausanne movement report showing that about 40% to 43% of the world (over 3 billion people) remains unreached, yet less than 1% of global mission finances go to unreached populations. How do these statistics challenge our understanding of global gospel priorities?
7. The sermon notes that Jesus' Great Commission involves both passionate proclamation and deliberate discipleship. Read Luke 24:44-47 and Matthew 28:18-20. Why are both bold evangelism and patient, long-term discipleship necessary for fulfilling Christ's mission?
8. Pastor Dale shares a story about his grandfather, an evangelist who would tell him after preaching crusade messages, "Dale, here's where the real work begins". Why is long-term discipleship—like Paul spending a year and a half in Corinth or three years in Ephesus—often harder than initial proclamation?
9. Read Romans 15:25-29. Gentile believers in Macedonia and Achaia eagerly sent financial gifts to poor Jewish believers in Jerusalem to show unity and gratitude for spiritual blessings. How does financial partnership across cultural or economic lines express true unity in the body of Christ?
10. Read Romans 15:30-33. Paul urges the Roman believers to join in his struggle by praying for his protection and ministry. In what ways can you actively "join in" gospel partnership through prayer or supporting local and global outreach this week?
11. Close in Prayer: Thank God for sending His Son as a Servant for all nations and for the grace that brought the gospel to your life. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a passionate ambition for the unreached and a patient, long-suffering love to disciple those in your sphere of influence.

______________________________________________
Analogy for Understanding: Living out gospel partnership is like building a long-distance bridge. Passionate proclamation is like firing the initial pilot cable across a wide chasm so the connection is established. But deliberate discipleship is the patient, step-by-step engineering work of laying down heavy beams, securing foundations, and maintaining the structure over years so people can cross safely and walk together. Without the ambition to cross the chasm, no connection is ever made; without the patience to build and stay, the connection cannot sustain lasting growth

At CFC, we are about Glorifying God by Making Disciples of All People. Two of our Core Values are the Bible and Discipleship because we believe God changes us as we know, trust, and obey His Word together.
 
Eugene Peterson described discipleship as “a long obedience in the same direction.” That phrase reminds us that following Jesus is not a one-time event or a journey we are meant to take alone. It is a lifelong pursuit of becoming more like Christ through the grace of God, the truth of Scripture, and meaningful relationships with other believers.
 
For that reason, discipleship needs to be an intentional part of life at CFC. One important pathway for spiritual growth is connecting with other believers through a small group or one of our discipleship ministries. In these settings, we study God’s Word, pray for one another, encourage each other, and learn to faithfully follow Jesus in everyday life.
 
We invite you to join us at the upcoming Discipleship Fair this Sunday and next. Stop by the tables before or after services for an opportunity to meet our leaders, learn more about the discipleship opportunities available at CFC, and find a next step that fits you.
 
At the Discipleship Fair, you can learn more about:

• New small groups beginning this fall
• Current small groups with openings available now
• Other discipleship ministries at CFC
• Opportunities to connect with leaders and ask questions

Groups meet every day of the week and at a variety of times, which makes it much more likely that you can find one to fit your schedule and season of life.
 
Whether you are looking for a small group, seeking deeper relationships, or simply wanting to learn more about the ministries available, we encourage you to come. Take an intentional next step in your own “long obedience in the same direction” and discover a place where you can grow in Christ alongside others.
 
We look forward to seeing you at the Discipleship Fair and worshiping with you this Sunday!

Christian strength is measured not by the liberty we can handle, but by submission to the Master of our conscience.

Two Pitfalls in the Household of Faith (Romans 14:1-3)

Romans 14:1-3
1 Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. 2 For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. 3 Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them.

Defining "Strong" vs. "Weak"
The "Weak" - A conscience easily wounded or constrained by non-essential issues, yet seeking to honor God through strict boundaries.
The "Strong" - A conscience grounded in Gospel freedom that recognizes non-essential issues do not affect our status with God.

Romans 12:1-2
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Stay in your seat. (Romans 14:4-12)

Who are we to condemn? (14:4)
The judgment seat belongs to the Master.

Romans 14:10
10 So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

Strength is measured through humble sacrifice, not boundless freedom. (14:13–15:4)

Romans 14:13
So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.

Remember that Jesus sets the example for the way we live with each other.

Romans 15:1-4
1 We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. 2 We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. 3 For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.” 4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

As we submit to the Master of our conscience, we can work for relational peace that leads to community. (Romans 15:5-7)

If we are honest, most of us feel the constant, exhausting pull of a world that is incredibly fast-paced, loud, and shallow. Every day, we are bombarded by competing stories telling us who we should be, what we should buy, and where we should find our security. It’s easy to feel like our attention is constantly being fractured. Yet, as human beings made in the image of God, we are designed for something much greater. We are born with a deep hunger to know the Author of our story and to understand our place in His world. As Jen Wilkin often reminds us, "The heart cannot love what the mind does not know.” That is why we are so excited to invite you into a unified journey called Deep Discipleship.
 
What is Deep Discipleship?
We have strategically reworked Year 1 of our Discipleship Academy. This course brings head-knowledge, heart-transformation, and daily habits together.
 
Over two 12-week semesters (Semester 1 covering the Old Testament this Fall), we will sit at tables together and study three integrated tracks:

• The Christian Story: Chronologically tracing God's redemptive arc from Genesis to Revelation
• The Christian Belief: Unpacking core, essential doctrines like the Trinity and the Imago Dei using Jen Wilkin and J.T. English's book, You Are a Theologian
• The Christian Formation: Cultivating life-shaping habits like Sabbath, prayer, and missional living

We want to be completely upfront with you: this class takes work—but it’s worth the work. All good things are. We are asking you to step into a real spiritual rhythm. This means committing to a 2-hour weekly group session and dedicating about 1 to 1.5 hours of personal pre-work each week (Scripture reading, eBook assignments, and prayer) so that you come to your table ready to engage.
 
Why We Need You to Register by THIS Sunday
Our first official classes begin on Thursday, September 10th (6PM – 8PM) and Sunday, September 13th (4PM – 6PM). To make sure our very first week is fruitful, our firm registration deadline is this coming Sunday, September 6.
 
Registering by Sunday is crucial for several practical reasons:

• Pick Up Materials: Once you register, you can head to The Center this Sunday or during office hours this week. Our team will verify that you are on the class roster and hand you your physical Deep Discipleship Journal.
• Redeem Your Free eBook Library: In your physical journal, you’ll find a unique access code. You can redeem it at my.lifeway.com/redeem to get free, instant digital access to all three required textbooks (Remember and Rehearse, You Are a Theologian, and Formed for Fellowship) using the Lifeway On Demand app.
• Complete the Orientation Pre-work: Before our first session, there is a short Orientation Video that we need you to watch. Registering by Sunday ensures you have the margin to complete this before class starts.

 
Pull Up a Chair
Theology is best done in community. We were never meant to figure out these deep truths of Scripture in isolation, sitting alone. We need one another to grow.
 
Whether you have been studying the Bible for decades or are just beginning to ask your very first questions about God, there is a seat saved for you at these tables. Let's choose to push back against the shallow noise of our culture this Fall and build a firm, life-giving foundation together.
 
Watch a video about Deep Discipleship with Kyle Carnahan and Emily Breeden from our Adult Ministry Team HERE and see sign-up info for Deep Discipleship HERE.
 
We hope many of you will sign up for Deep Discipleship, and we look forward to worshiping with all of you this Sunday!
 

Working for Peace by Pastor Dale Beaver
Read Romans 14:1-23; Romans 15:1-7; and Romans 12:1-2.

1. Pastor Dale notes that Romans is one of the most highly developed theological letters in the New Testament and recommends utilizing the articles and study aids curated at the church's resource center. How does having an intentional, structured plan for studying Scripture help you move beyond a superficial reading of God's Word?
2. Read Romans 14:1-3. Pastor Dale warns against two pitfalls in the household of faith: strong believers flexing their freedom over the weak, and weak believers condemning those who walk in freedom. In what ways are you tempted to fall into either of these traps when you disagree with another believer on a non-essential issue?
3. The sermon notes define the "weak" as those whose consciences are easily wounded or constrained by non-essential issues, while the "strong" are grounded in Gospel freedom. Why is it important to realize that the weak are still actively seeking to honor God through their strict boundaries, rather than simply being legalistic?
4. Read Romans 12:1-2. Pastor Dale describes these verses as a "road sign" or anchor for how we should live out our convictions and freedoms in front of one another. How does allowing God to transform your mind change the way you think about and treat people who have different personal boundaries than you?
5. Read Romans 14:4-12. The sermon uses the phrase "stay in your seat" to remind us that the judgment seat belongs solely to the Master. How does remembering that we will all give a "personal, individual account" to God keep you from trying to jump into the Judge's seat to condemn others?
6. Discuss the transition Jewish and Gentile believers faced regarding the Mosaic law, holy days, and diets. How does Pastor Dale’s point that "this stuff gets in us" explain why it can take years, or even generations, for people to grow out of strict traditional backgrounds?
7. Read Romans 14:13-17. The kingdom of God is defined not as external rules like eating and drinking, but as goodness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Pastor Dale notes that this applies to modern debates like tattoos, piercings, vaccines, and masks. How can we prioritize goodness, peace, and joy over our personal liberties or restrictions in these areas?
8. Pastor Dale shares a cautionary story about a man in Kentucky who asked if the Bible prohibited drinking beer, went on to drink a case, and wrecked his truck. How does this story illustrate the danger of abusing our freedom without considering our own spiritual maturity or the safety of others?
9. Read Galatians 2 and consider the sermon's mention of the Apostle Peter’s spiritual journey. Even after his vision and the resurrection, Peter struggled with eating with Gentiles when other Jewish believers were around and had to be corrected by Paul. How does Peter's struggle give you hope when you find yourself slipping back into old patterns of fear or exclusion?
10. Read Romans 15:1-4. We are told that we must not live to please ourselves, following the example of Christ. How does laying down your rights for the sake of another believer's spiritual growth show a greater measure of Christian strength than simply exercising your freedom?
11. Close in Prayer: Thank the Father for the grace in which we stand and the freedom we have in Christ. Ask the Holy Spirit to purify your heart of any condescension or judgmental attitudes, and to give you the humility to actively work for harmony within the church community this week.

______________________________________________

Analogy for Understanding: Imagine a family dinner table where children of all different ages and stages of growth are sitting down to eat. A mature older sibling has the physical capacity and freedom to eat complex, heavy foods without issue, while a toddler has a sensitive stomach and must stick to soft, simple foods. If the older sibling uses their physical strength to mock the toddler's simple diet, or if the younger child screams in protest because the older one is eating something different, the peace of the family dinner is completely destroyed. Relational peace in the church works the same way: true maturity is not about proving we have the "freedom" to eat whatever we want, but about willingly adjusting our behavior at the table so that everyone is built up and nourished together. Relational peace is a daily work where we offer our rights and convictions to serve the greater good of harmony.

Church Family,
God is doing something really exciting in our Kids Ministry! Over the last two weeks, we have had around 370 children (from nursery through 5th grade) with us each Sunday. Even more amazing, over the past six weeks, 615 unique children have been served by our Kids Ministry! This trend toward higher numbers of children has been apparent over the past year. 
 
We are incredibly thankful for every child and family God is bringing to CFC. Growth like this is something we have prayed for, and we want to celebrate what God is doing. But growth also brings an opportunity and a responsibility for our members.
 
While we are still within our established safety standards for volunteers and children, the growth is beginning to stretch our teams. More importantly, we want to make sure we don’t simply manage the growth; rather, we want to stay focused on intentionally making disciples. This is our mission!
 
Our desire is for every child who walks through our doors to be known, loved, taught God’s Word, and encouraged to know and follow Jesus. We want to love God and love kids. That takes more than a great program; it takes people who are willing to invest in the lives of our young people! 
 
That’s where we need you!
 
We have several opportunities for you to serve in Kids Ministry, and we’ve put together a list of the specific areas where we could use more people. You don’t have to be a Bible expert or have years of experience working with children. You simply need a willingness to serve and a heart to love kids and help us point them toward Jesus. Please see the list of opportunities below.
 
Would you prayerfully consider serving with us? Whether you can serve every week, a few times a month, or in another capacity, your involvement can make a real difference. When more people step in, our current volunteers are strengthened, our teams are healthier, and – most importantly – we are better positioned to intentionally disciple the next generation.
We believe what happens in Kids Ministry matters deeply. We aren’t just caring for children while their parents attend church; we are investing in the next generation of followers of Jesus!
 
Below, you’ll find the specific areas where we need help. Please take a few minutes to look through them and prayerfully consider where God might be asking you to serve. If you want to take the next step to serve, you can do that HERE. 
 
Thank you for being a church family that serves, gives, and continually looks for ways to make disciples! We are excited about what God is doing in the lives of these children and families, and we want to steward this opportunity well.
Let’s continue making disciples together!

Current opportunities in Children’s Ministry (Fall 2026):
Preschool Leaders
Walk alongside preschoolers as they play, learn, and discover God's love each Sunday. Your consistent presence and caring heart will help young children build relationships, experience God's love, and learn about Jesus.

Kindergarten & 1st Grade Small Group Leader - 9:15 service
Guide Kindergarten and 1st graders as they discover who Jesus is through Bible teaching, conversation, and fun each Sunday. Build meaningful relationships that help children know, love, and follow Jesus.

2nd & 3rd Grade Small Group Leader - 9:15 service
Invest in 2nd and 3rd graders as they grow in their understanding of God's Word and ask important questions about their faith. Your consistent presence can help shape a lifelong relationship with Jesus.

4th & 5th Grade Small Group Leader - 9:15 service
Invest in 4th and 5th graders as they grow in their understanding of God's Word and ask important questions about their faith. Your consistent presence can help shape a lifelong relationship with Jesus.

Specific Needs Sidekick – Preschool - 9:15 service
Come alongside one preschooler by providing encouragement and support as he participates in class each Sunday. Your care will help him feel safe, included, and deeply loved.

Specific Needs Sidekick – Elementary - 9:15 service
Come alongside one elementary aged child providing encouragement and support as he participates in class each Sunday. Your care will help him feel safe, included, and deeply loved.

Specific Needs Sidekick – 4th Grade - 9:15 service
Come alongside a preteen girl as she participates in worship, Bible teaching, and small groups each Sunday. Your faithful presence will help her feel included, connected, and encouraged as she grows in her relationship with Jesus.

Toddler Room Volunteer - 10:45 service
Serve alongside the Room Leader by engaging toddlers through play, songs, and simple Bible experiences each Sunday. Your joyful, consistent presence will help our youngest children begin to know they are loved by God and by His church.

Nursery & Toddler Coordinator - 9:15 service
Support the volunteers serving in the Nursery and Toddler rooms by checking in throughout the morning and helping meet any needs that arise. Your behind-the-scenes care will help volunteers thrive and ensure every child is well cared for.

Sub - All Areas - 9:15 and 10:45 service
Serve by stepping in when a regular leader is unavailable.

Click HERE or text SERVEKIDS to 812-867-6464 to get more information or to take the next step needed to get plugged in to CFC Kids!

1. Pastor Dale begins by referencing the framing of the U.S. Constitution and the "Schoolhouse Rock" songs that taught many the Preamble. Why is it important to remember that our earthly citizenship, while significant, is always secondary to our citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven?
2. "Jesus is Lord" is described as a radical political statement, not just a doxology. How did this confession directly challenge the Roman Empire’s claim that "Caesar is Lord," and what modern examples did Pastor Dale use to show how this type of allegiance can be leveraged by earthly leaders?
3. Read Romans 13:1-2. Paul states that all authority is instituted by God. According to the sermon, how did God first establish the "mandate" for human civic government through the covenant with Noah in Genesis 9:6?
4. Read Daniel 2:20-21. The text says God "removes kings and sets up other kings". Does this imply that every ruler is godly, or does it mean that even ungodly rulers are ultimately under God’s sovereign control? How does this truth help reduce anxiety during polarized political seasons?
5. Consider the conversation between Jesus and Pontius Pilate in John 19:11. How does the fact that God used a corrupt and oppressive governor to bring about our salvation encourage you when you see injustice or corruption in the world?
6. Read Romans 13:1, 5-7. Why does Pastor Dale argue that our default posture toward government should be respect rather than rebellion? How does showing respect and paying taxes serve to "keep a clear conscience" before God?
7. Pastor Dale notes that government workers are described as "God's deacons" or servants in society. How does viewing the role of government as a stewardship of God's authority change the way you think about civic duties like paying taxes?
8. Read Romans 13:8-10. The sermon highlights a major limitation of earthly government: it can legislate behavior (like "do not murder"), but it cannot change the desire of the heart. Why is the "obligation to love" a more powerful force for social good than legal legislation?
9. Read Romans 13:11-14. Paul uses the imagery of the "night being almost gone" to urge believers to wake up. What does ook like practically to live as though you are in an embassy on foreign soil, representing your true Home while currently residing in this world?
10. When the Israelites were exiled to Babylon, God told them to be "good citizens," build houses, and pray for the success of that nation even though it wasn't where they belonged. How can you apply this principle of working for the common good in your own community this week?
11. Close in Prayer: Thank God for being the King of kings who controls the course of world events. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you live a life of "holy living" as a political testament to His Kingdom, and pray for the wisdom to represent your heavenly Home well while serving as a citizen on earth.

__________________________________________

Romans 13:1-7
1 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. 6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.

“Jesus is Lord” is a political statement, not just a doxology.

From where does government originate? (13:1-2)

Genesis 9:6
If anyone takes a human life, that person’s life will also be taken by human hands. For God made human beings in his own image.

Daniel 2:20-21a
20 He said,
  Praise the name of God forever and ever,
  for he has all wisdom and power.
21 He controls the course of world events;
  he removes kings and sets up other kings.

Our default posture toward government should be respect, not rebellion.

Why did God ordain government? (13:3-4)

Romans 12:19
19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge;
   I will pay them back,”
   says the LORD.

What is our relationship to the government? (13:1, 5-7)

Romans 13:8-10
8 Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. 9 For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.

What is the church’s role in relation to government?

Romans 13:11-12
11 This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.

Romans 13:13-14
13 Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.
MP: Holy living is a political statement, not your private morality.

Responding to the Gospel by Pastor Dale Beaver
Read Romans 11:33-36 and Romans 12:1-21.

1. Pastor Dale notes that Romans 1–11 establishes a massive theological foundation: that all stand equally guilty, but are justified freely by grace through Christ's death and kept secure by the Spirit. Why is it essential to fully grasp this "glorious place of deliverance" before we attempt to enter "the fruitfulness of sanctified transformation" in Romans 12?
2. Read Romans 11:33-36. This passage is a doxology—a hymn of praise—celebrating that everything comes from God, exists by His power, and is intended for His glory. Pastor Dale compares this to a wife who buys, wraps, and places her own preferred birthday gift on the bed for her husband to give back to her. How does God similarly "design the gifts" He wants us to live with and then present us with the very things we need to give back to Him in worship?
3. Read Romans 12:1-2. We are pleaded with to offer our bodies as "living and holy sacrifices". Pastor Dale clarifies that being a "living sacrifice" does not mean getting on an altar to die for our sins, because Christ has already mounted the cross as our final altar. What does it mean practically to participate in "getting on the altar" by allowing God to put things to death in us so we can think and live in a new way?
4. In Romans 12:3-6a, Paul warns against several traps or "flags" in the transformation process, such as thinking we are better than we are, or saying, "I don't really need the rest of you". How can we take an honest assessment of ourselves to ensure we are neither arrogant nor falsely humble about the spiritual contributions we are called to make?
5. Read Romans 12:6-8, which outlines various spiritual gifts like serving, teaching, encouraging, and leadership. Pastor Dale uses the common phrase "stay in your lane" to describe how we should confidently exercise the specific gifts God has given us. In what ways does staying in your own lane actually enhance the unity and health of the church, rather than creating division?
6. Pastor Dale references a quote by Frederick Buechner: "The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet". How have you seen this truth play out in your own life? Where does your deepest joy in serving meet a significant spiritual or physical need in the people around you?
7. Read Romans 12:9-10, where Paul instructs us to have "authentic relationships" by really loving others without pretense. Pastor Dale defines this as "taking off the mask" so we can love each other with genuine affection, flaws and all. Why is a small group setting uniquely suited for this kind of "unmasked" community, and what makes it difficult to practice in daily life?
8. Read Romans 12:13. To illustrate what it means to be "service ready" and eager to practice hospitality, the sermon contrasts modern self-service gas stations with the "sudden service" of 1957, where crews ran out to wash windshields, check under the hood, and fill tanks the moment a car pulled up. How can we develop a "sudden service" mindset when we spot physical or emotional needs in our church family?
9. Read Romans 12:14-16. We are commanded to "live in harmony," weep with those who weep, and enjoy the company of ordinary people. Pastor Dale notes that we are always tempted to want to sit at the "cool table" with popular or influential people. Why does true Christian humility require a supernatural transformation, and how does remembering that "at some point, we are all the ordinary person" keep us grounded?
10. Read Romans 12:17-21, which calls us to "victorious forbearance" by never paying back evil with evil. Pastor Dale shares the powerful story of Corrie Ten Boom, a Dutch Christian who survived a concentration camp but lost her sister Betsy there. In 1947, she was approached in Munich by a former Ravensbrück guard who stood with a whip when they were processed, but who now extended his hand and asked for forgiveness as a believer. What does her supernatural ability to take his hand and say, "I forgive you, brother" teach us about how the gospel empowers us to conquer evil with good?
11. Close in Prayer: Thank God for the incredible gift of justification that secures our relationship with Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to work supernaturally in your heart this week, giving you the grace to "climb onto the altar" daily as a living sacrifice, to stay in your gifted lane, and to love others with authentic, unmasked devotion.

______________________________________

Analogy for Understanding: Living out Romans 12 is like a musician participating in a grand orchestra. Our "ticket" to be in the concert hall was already purchased and fully paid for by the Conductor (justification). We aren't playing our instruments to earn our seat on the stage. Instead, "staying in our lane" means playing the specific instrument we've been handed with excellence, cooperating with the rest of the section rather than trying to drown them out (humility and gifts). When we submit to the Conductor's lead and play our part, our individual lives blend together to create a beautiful, harmonious doxology that fills the hall with His glory.

Romans 1-11 reveals how the gospel demonstrates God's own righteousness by reclaiming sinners through faith alone. Because all stand equally guilty, all are justified freely by grace through Christ's death, all are kept secure by the Spirit, and even Israel's present unbelief cannot finally undo God's covenant faithfulness.

Romans 11:33-36 (Doxology)
33 Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! 34 For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice?
35 And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back? 36 For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.

From this glorious place of God's deliverance through justification, we enter the fruitfulness of sanctified transformation.

Romans 12:1-2
1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

The Traps Within the Transformation (12:3-6a)
“You should think and act just like me.”
"I've arrived; I don't need this anymore."
"I don't really need the rest of you."
“My spiritual gift is more important than yours.”

Romans 12:6-8
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.”
-F. Buechner, Wishful Thinking, 1973

Practical Guidance (12:9-21)
Authentic Relationships (9-10)
Passionate Devotion (11)
Hopeful Perseverance (12)
Service Readiness (13)
Helpful Humility (14-16)
Victorious Forbearance (17-21)

For deeper study, we have some articles curated for you at the CFC for You! Center.

Good morning, CFC!
 
As we prepare to celebrate the life and legacy of Pastor David, we want to share a few important details with you.
 
Our Celebration of Life service will be Saturday, August 29, at 2PM in the CFC Worship Center.
 
We expect the service to be full, but we will have overflow areas in both the Chapel and Room 106. Just as we ask our church family on Easter and Christmas Eve, please arrive early if you can and move all the way to the center of the row when you are seated. This will help us make room for everyone and allow as many people as possible to participate in this special service. 
 
We know that everyone felt like David was “their David.” We all loved and were loved by David. So, here are two things you can do to be a blessing and honor our dear friend: 
 
First, one of David’s greatest priorities and passions was prayer. Two weeks before his passing, the Elders met with him and received perhaps his final reminder to us. David said three key things that day:

1. "We need to spend more time praising than asking."
2. “I wish 30 years ago I had prayed more.”
3. “I don’t know how much time I have left. If it's one month, then I will pray every day for one month for CFC.”

If David, a prayer warrior, wished he had prayed more, then maybe there is an invitation for each of us to pray a little more.
 
Because prayer was such a significant part of David’s life, we want to gather people and create a prayer vigil for this week before the service. We invite you to join us as we pray, reflect, and prepare our hearts to honor David and celebrate what God has done through his life. Sign up for one or more 15-minute increments between tomorrow and next Saturday HERE. 
 
Second, we would like everyone to submit one word to describe David. This is very easy! If you had to choose one word that describes David or the impact he had on your life, what would it be? Look for the form at the bottom of the page HERE. 
 
Thanks for signing up for the vigil and submitting your one word! As always, if there is any way we can serve you, please let us know. We can't wait to worship with you this Sunday!

Proverbs 6:20-24
20 My son, obey your father’s commands,
   and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.
21 Keep their words always in your heart.
   Tie them around your neck.
22 When you walk, their counsel will lead you.
   When you sleep, they will protect you.
   When you wake, they will advise you.
23 For their command is a lamp
   and their instruction a light;
their corrective discipline
   is the way to life.
24 It will keep you from the immoral woman,
   from the smooth tongue of a promiscuous woman.

A wise child considers whose words to follow.

Proverbs 6:24-26
24 It will keep you from the immoral woman,
   from the smooth tongue of a promiscuous woman.
25 Don’t lust for her beauty.
   Don’t let her coy glances seduce you.
26 For a prostitute will bring you to poverty,
   but sleeping with another man’s wife will cost you your life.
Proverbs 7:1-4
1 Follow my advice, my son;
   always treasure my commands.
2 Obey my commands and live!
   Guard my instruction as you guard your own eyes.
3 Tie them on your fingers as a reminder.
   Write them deep within your heart.
4 Love wisdom like a sister;
   make insight a beloved member of your family.

A wise child follows wisdom because his loves are in the proper order.

Proverbs 7:6-20
6 While I was at the window of my house,
   looking through the curtain,
7 I saw some naive young men,
   and one in particular who lacked common sense.
8 He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman,
   strolling down the path by her house.
9 It was at twilight, in the evening,
   as deep darkness fell.
10 The woman approached him,
   seductively dressed and sly of heart.
11 She was the brash, rebellious type,
   never content to stay at home.
12 She is often in the streets and markets,
   soliciting at every corner.
13 She threw her arms around him and kissed him,
   and with a brazen look she said,
14 “I’ve just made my peace offerings
   and fulfilled my vows.
15 You’re the one I was looking for!
   I came out to find you, and here you are!
16 My bed is spread with beautiful blankets,
   with colored sheets of Egyptian linen.
17 I’ve perfumed my bed
   with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18 Come, let’s drink our fill of love until morning.
   Let’s enjoy each other’s caresses,
19 for my husband is not home.
   He’s away on a long trip.
20 He has taken a wallet full of money with him
   and won’t return until later this month.”

What are your God-given desires or loves?

Proverbs 7:24-27
 24 So listen to me, my sons,
   and pay attention to my words.
25 Don’t let your hearts stray away toward her.
   Don’t wander down her wayward path.
26 For she has been the ruin of many;
   many men have been her victims.
 27 Her house is the road to the grave.
   Her bedroom is the den of death.

A wise child guards his heart and his feet to protect his future.

Matthew 18:1-4
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

A Wise Child Follows and Loves by Reid Schultheis
Read Proverbs 6:20-24; Proverbs 7:1-27; and Matthew 18:1-4.

1. This sermon concludes a summer series on the characteristics of a wise child, moving from listening and seeking to discerning and following. How has your understanding of "wisdom" shifted from being a set of rules to a characteristic of a growing child of God?
2. Reid argues that because we are created, dependent beings, every single one of us is a follower. Why do we often resist this idea in favor of wanting to be "independent" or "leaders," and how can acknowledging our neediness actually lead us to the right person to follow?
3. Read Proverbs 6:24-26. The cost of sexual sin is described starkly as "your life". Reid asks why we still make the "foolish trade" for a few moments of satisfaction even when we know the high price. How can we better believe God’s warnings when sin looks "sweet as honey" on the surface?
4. Even though Solomon was full of wisdom, he famously "messed up" in the very areas he warns against. How does the reality that there is hope, healing, and redemption in Christ change the way you view your own past failures?
5. Reid suggests that those who have found healing from sin can become "older siblings" in the church to warn younger ones. How can we create a culture in our small group where we can confess and learn from each other's mistakes without shame?
6. Read Proverbs 7:1-5. The way to fight "illicit love" (sinful desires) is with "holy love" (a greater delight in wisdom). How does being "staggered and captivated" by God's truth act as a defense when the "smooth tongue" of temptation comes calling?
7. Discuss Augustine’s concept of "disordered loves" (ordo amorus)—the idea that our problem is not that we desire things, but that we love them in the wrong order. What is a good, God-given desire in your life that you are currently tempted to love more than God Himself?
8. Reid lists several core soul-desires that sin preys upon, such as the desire to be initiated with, sought after, or safe. How does the truth that Jesus satisfies every one of these desires at a "soul level" help you take your longings to Him instead of to "illicit places and people"?
9. Read Proverbs 7:24-27. A wise child guards both their heart (the desire level) and their feet (the behavioral level). Reid notes that wisdom is often about avoiding temptation entirely rather than just trying to fight it once you're in it. What practical "guardrails" (like internet accountability or life boundaries) can you put in place this week to guard your feet?
10. Read Matthew 18:1-4. Jesus teaches that to enter the kingdom, we must change and become like little children. How does the "lowly position" of a child contrast with the "arrogant adult" who refuses to be told whose words to follow?
11. Close in Prayer: Thank the Holy Spirit for giving us an increased understanding of our God-given desires. Ask the Father to help you move from "disordered loves" to a satisfaction found only in Jesus, and pray for the courage to guard your heart and your feet in the coming week.

_________________________________

A Wise Child Discerns by Pastor Dale Beaver
Read Proverbs 5:1-23; 1 Corinthians 7:3-5; and Ephesians 5:25-32.

1. Pastor Dale describes our journey through Proverbs as moving from listening and seeking wisdom to a place of maturity where we can discern. He defines discernment as a tool for decision-making that allows us to differentiate between what is good and what is destructive. In your own life, how do you distinguish between a choice that is merely "good" and a choice that is "best" for your spiritual growth?
2. The sermon teaches that wise children discern the appropriate direction for their God-designed desires. While God created us with desires that are holy and good, sin often twists them. What is the danger in assuming that just because a desire "feels natural," it must be right to act upon it?
3. Read Proverbs 5:1-4. Pastor Dale shares an illustration about parasailing where he was 100 feet up in the air enjoying a moment of quiet wonder, only to look down and see a massive shark swimming below. He uses this to explain that while something may look "sweet as honey" on the surface, there is often a dangerous substance beneath. When has "surface appeal" blinded you to the "sharks" or consequences hidden in a decision?
4. The father in Proverbs 5 warns his son about the "immoral woman," whose path leads straight to the grave. Pastor Dale notes that if this were a father talking to his daughter, the warning would be about "silver-tongued devils" who promise love but seek only to take advantage. Why is it essential for parents to have honest, gritty conversations with their children about the cost of misdirected desires?
5. Read Proverbs 5:12-14. These verses describe a "deathbed reflection" filled with regret over ignored warnings and hated discipline. Pastor Dale suggests we often try to learn from the "school of hard knocks" instead of listening to wise counsel. What is one "warning" the Holy Spirit is currently prompting you to heed so you can avoid future regret?
6. Read Proverbs 5:15-19. The instruction to "drink water from your own well" means to fiercely guard and delight in the spouse God has given you. Pastor Dale even suggests that single people should protect their future spouse by how they live today. How does viewing your current purity as an act of protection for a spouse (present or future) change the way you view boundaries?
7. Read 1 Corinthians 7:3-5. By design, physical intimacy in marriage is meant to be "intoxicating" (the Hebrew word שׁגה shaga). Pastor Dale challenges the idea that intimacy is just for the young, stating that for couples married 30 or 40 years, it remains a vital way to stay in touch with the "joy of your youth". How can couples in the church prioritize this "fiercely guarded" area of their marriage against the distractions of life?.
8. Pastor Dale admits that when he hears about infidelity, his heart breaks and he "rages" against what sin does to families. He notes that the "wise child" knows a foolish trade is being made when a covenant is broken for a moment of pleasure. How can our small group serve as a "safety net" for one another to prevent the isolation that often leads to such foolish trades?
9. Read Ephesians 5:25-32. The sermon describes returning to "factory settings" in marriage, which means realizing that a husband and wife are an illustration of Christ and the Church. How does the "great mystery" of marriage—as a shadow of God's love for His people—elevate the importance of how you treat your spouse?
10. The Plot Twist. The sermon concludes by explaining that Proverbs 5 is actually a comparison between Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly. The father is urging his child to "marry" Lady Wisdom because she is a covenant keeper, while Lady Folly is a covenant breaker. In what area of your life this week do you need to "flee" from a foolish impulse and instead "embrace" the freedom found in God's wisdom?
11. Close in Prayer: Thank the Father for being the "biggest daddy in the room" who understands our desires and provides a safe path for them. Ask the Holy Spirit for the gift of discernment to see beneath the surface of temptations and for the strength to guard the "covenants" He has placed in your life.

_________________________________________

Analogy for Understanding: Discernment is like looking at the ocean from a parasail 100 feet in the air. From the beach, the water looks inviting, blue, and calm—it's pure "surface appeal". But from the higher perspective of wisdom, you can see the sharks swimming just beneath the surface of that enticing water. Folly wants you to focus only on the "sweet honey" and the "smooth oil" of the moment, but the Wise Father warns you to look deeper. Discernment allows you to see the "double-edged sword" and the "poison" hidden in the depths, giving you the clarity to stay in the safe waters of God's design.

Wise children discern the appropriate direction for their God-designed desires.
 
When desire is engaged, it is critical to discern the substance unseen beneath the surface that is appealing.
 
Proverbs 5:1-4
1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom;
   listen carefully to my wise counsel.
2 Then you will show discernment,
   and your lips will express what you’ve learned.
3 For the lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey,
   and her mouth is smoother than oil.
4 But in the end she is as bitter as poison,
   as dangerous as a double-edged sword.
Proverbs 5:12-14
12 You will say, “How I hated discipline!
   If only I had not ignored all the warnings!
13 Oh, why didn’t I listen to my teachers?
   Why didn’t I pay attention to my instructors?
14 I have come to the brink of utter ruin,
   and now I must face public disgrace.”

This is the destination of misdirected desire and a foolish choice.
 
When desire is engaged, we have to know what is at stake and worth protecting.

Proverbs 5:15-19
15 Drink water from your own well—
   share your love only with your wife.
16 Why spill the water of your springs in the streets,
   having sex with just anyone?
17 You should reserve it for yourselves.
   Never share it with strangers.
18 Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you.
   Rejoice in the wife of your youth.
19 She is a loving deer, a graceful doe.
   Let her breasts satisfy you always.
   May you always be captivated by her love.

By design, intercourse is to be intoxicating, captivating, and fiercely guarded in marriage.
 
1 Corinthians 7:3-5
3 The husband should fulfill his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband’s needs. 4 The wife gives authority over her body to her husband, and the husband gives authority over his body to his wife. 5 Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again so that Satan won’t be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

Ephesians 5:25-26, 31-32
25 For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.
31 As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” 32 This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.

The wise child knows a foolish trade.

Proverbs 5:20-23
20 Why be captivated, my son, by an immoral woman,
   or fondle the breasts of a promiscuous woman?
21 For the Lord sees clearly what a man does,
   examining every path he takes.
22 An evil man is held captive by his own sins;
   they are ropes that catch and hold him.
23 He will die for lack of self-control;
   he will be lost because of his great foolishness.

Study Questions will be posted on Sunday afternoon.

Wise children discern the appropriate direction for their God-designed desires.
 
When desire is engaged, it is critical to discern the substance unseen beneath the surface that is appealing.
 
Proverbs 5:1-4
1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom;
   listen carefully to my wise counsel.
2 Then you will show discernment,
   and your lips will express what you’ve learned.
3 For the lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey,
   and her mouth is smoother than oil.
4 But in the end she is as bitter as poison,
   as dangerous as a double-edged sword.

Proverbs 5:12-14
12 You will say, “How I hated discipline!
   If only I had not ignored all the warnings!
13 Oh, why didn’t I listen to my teachers?
   Why didn’t I pay attention to my instructors?
14 I have come to the brink of utter ruin,
   and now I must face public disgrace.”

This is the destination of misdirected desire and a foolish choice.
 
When desire is engaged, we have to know what is at stake and worth protecting.

Proverbs 5:15-19
15 Drink water from your own well—
   share your love only with your wife.
16 Why spill the water of your springs in the streets,
   having sex with just anyone?
17 You should reserve it for yourselves.
   Never share it with strangers.
18 Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you.
   Rejoice in the wife of your youth.
19 She is a loving deer, a graceful doe.
   Let her breasts satisfy you always.
   May you always be captivated by her love.

By design, intercourse is to be intoxicating, captivating, and fiercely guarded in marriage.
 
1 Corinthians 7:3-5
3 The husband should fulfill his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband’s needs. 4 The wife gives authority over her body to her husband, and the husband gives authority over his body to his wife. 5 Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again so that Satan won’t be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

Ephesians 5:25-26, 31-32
25 For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.
31 As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” 32 This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.

The wise child knows a foolish trade.

Proverbs 5:20-23
20 Why be captivated, my son, by an immoral woman,
   or fondle the breasts of a promiscuous woman?
21 For the Lord sees clearly what a man does,
   examining every path he takes.
22 An evil man is held captive by his own sins;
   they are ropes that catch and hold him.
23 He will die for lack of self-control;
   he will be lost because of his great foolishness.