We welcome you to Stone's Hill today!

A typical Stone's Hill service has:

* music (so feel free to sing out);

* some announcements (things that are upcoming that you can be a part of);

* a message out of the Bible (God speaks to us through his Word);

* and an opportunity for you to respond to the message (either immediately in the case of a decision that needs to be made OR in the future as you live out the message in your daily life.)

So relax and enjoy your morning! We're so glad you are here!

The Chosen - Episode 3
The Gospel is not so much an argument to assent to (though there are many arguments one can make for the Gospel); but more than this, the Gospel is a person that you place your confidence in.

Episode 3
In Episode 3, Jesus senses that his Father is leading him into a time of solitude and prayer in preparation for the next phase of his calling. Jesus found the perfect location in a clearing on the outskirts of Capernaum, near water with plenty of wood. He’s got his wood-working tools, a few clothes, and a tent.

One morning, nine-year-old Abigail with her doll made of yarn, happened upon Jesus’ camp site. She hides, but Jesus knows that she’s there. The next day, she bring a buddy named Joshua. They are hiding behind a rock outcropping as they sneak and watch Jesus sitting at one of his little tables. He knows the children are there again but lets on like he isn’t aware.

With bread in his hands, he prays “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who gives forth bread from this earth.” And then, in a voice loud enough for Abigail and Joshua to hear, he ad libs, the rest of the prayer: “And I pray that if there are ever two children who come visit my home here that You will give them the courage to say “Shalom”, so that they will know they do not have to remain in hiding. Amen.”

And that was all it took. Those two brought even more friends, and Jesus loved investing the time in getting to know them and teaching them over the next several days. And He even remarked how he hoped that others, especially adults, would listen and learn so readily as the children did.

Abigail asked him “What is your reason for being here?” Jesus said “The answer is: for all of you.” Jesus pauses. Then just above a whisper, but with conviction, and a sob caught in his throat, he says “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

The next day, Abigail comes skipping from her modest little village home back to Jesus’ campsite. But he’s gone. Not far from the cold firepit, she comes upon a well-crafted dollhouse of wood, stone, and rope. It contains little carved animals, a tiny ladder, and a table with a swatch of cloth covering it. Atop the house, written in charcoal on a piece of wood, Jesus left her a message: “Abigail, I know you can read. You are very special. This is for you. I did not come only for the wealthy.”

The first six years – trying to understand their world.

Most parents are fully dedicated to meeting the physical needs of their young children. However, they may not think as much about the child’s emotional needs. One of the needs that is essential to the child’s well-being is the need to feel loved. The first six years are extremely important in meeting this emotional need. And childhood is way too short!

In the early stages, parents should speak all five love languages. Jesus spoke all of them here.

13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them… Physical touch is the most natural language for parents. It is almost instinctive to hold and cuddle young children. All research indicates that children who receive tender touch at this stage of life will be much healthier emotionally than children who receive little touch.

16 And he took the children in his arms… Why? To get them on eye level because they’re too short otherwise. Acts of service is a love language that you must speak in order for your child to survive. When your child is an infant, you feed, clean and change her. As she grows, you serve her by exposing her to things she can see, touch, taste, smell and hear. You do things for her that she cannot do for herself.

14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them Quality time becomes important as a child ages. This is when reading stories, as he sits on your lap, becomes meaningful. Playing age - appropriate games communicates that you love him. The child has your undivided attention, and nothing is more important to him.

placed his hands on them... Jesus knew that someday, they could tell people about the time when the Son of God lived on earth and held them in his arms. What a gift! Gift giving is a concept that most kids begin to understand by age 4. When you wrap a present, it is even more exciting for your little one. This provides an opportunity to teach your child to express gratitude after receiving a gift.

and blessed them. Words of affirmation can encourage and inspire a young child. Picture a special future for them. Praising her efforts at learning to walk gives her motivation to get up and try again. As your child begins her very first attempts at reading, your encouragement gives her the confidence to keep learning.

Gary Chapman said “When my son was four, he would run to the door and begin climbing up my leg the moment I came home. If I sat down, he was in my lap. His love language was physical touch. My daughter never did that. She would say, “Come into my room, Daddy. I want to show you something.” Quality time was her primary love language. He says you start to see the primary love language around 4.

In a culture that is becoming increasingly apathetic in its attitude toward children, it is especially important for us to learn from the example Jesus set for His disciples in this passage. Perhaps we should ask ourselves some questions like: Do I find myself becoming grieved or filled with righteous anger when I see children abused or ignored? Do I try to make time for the children God puts in my path, in order to demonstrate the grace of God toward them and to be a blessing to them? Do I take time to listen to children when they try to speak to me, or do I have the attitude of so many that “children are to be seen and not heard”? Do I seek ways to show genuine affection to my own children and to the children of others?