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Scripture Reading Matthew 4:1-4 Big Idea (For Parents) Jesus was fully tempted as we are so that he alone might defeat temptation for us. Having done so, he now empowers us by his Spirit to progressively do the same. Thus, because he is our Savior, he is also now our example.   “Wilderness” situations in life involve intentional fasting from—or divine removal of—some of God’s good gifts. These situations test us and mature us into those who, like Jesus, walk in victory over t

*If you’re doing this with your littles, skip to the bottom and use the short form family follow up version* Sermon Summary In Ephesians 1:1–2, we explored the meaning of Paul’s address to the church as “saints.” Far from referring to spiritual elites, the word saints means holy ones—people granted sanctuary access to the very presence of God. This status is not earned through religious performance but given freely through Christ’s cleansing work. Finally, we consider what i

Scripture Reading Isaiah 58:1-7 Big Idea (For Parents) Isaiah here describes God’s intention for Israel’s one regular divinely-appointed Old Testament fast, the Day of Atonement. That season began with the “Feast of Trumpets” (Leviticus 23:24-25; cf. Isaiah 58:1) followed by the Day of Atonement ten days later (Leviticus 23:27). God told the Israelites to “afflict yourselves” on that day (Leviticus 23:27) so that their sincere self-examination would foster the confession, rep

Sermon Summary In this opening message on Ephesians, we explore Paul’s sweeping announcement that the New Creation has already begun. The King has been crowned. Heaven and earth are being reunited. A new humanity has been formed. And through the church, God is displaying His wisdom to the world. God is making us new so that we can renew the world. Reflection Materials Discussion Q’s (for the grown-ups) 1. When you hear that “the government of the world has changed,” what does

Sermon Summary In Haggai 2, God teaches His people that obedience matters, but it cannot reverse the curse that grips the world. Only God can do that. In restoring Zerubbabel as His “signet ring,” God previews a greater reversal that comes through Christ. In Jesus’ resurrection, the direction of the world changes. Death still lingers, but it grows in borrowed ground. The Church now lives as the King’s signet ring, spreading the life of the risen Christ. Reflection Questions 1

Scripture Reading Matthew 6:1, 16-18 Big Idea (For Parents) Jesus assumes that his people will fast as a spiritual discipline and therefore instructs them how to do it rightly.   Our church does not require observance of Lenten fasts or other aspects of the church calendar, but it does recommend biblically-aligned fasting as a valuable means given by God to further his redemptive purpose.   The one regular divinely-appointed Old Testament fast was that of the Day of Atonement

Picking Up Our Crosses Together Lent is a season for embracing Jesus’ call to pick up our crosses and follow him. As with all seasons of the church calendar, this guide is not meant to add pressure or fill your calendar—it’s meant to gently shape the rhythms you already have. There is one devotional for each week in the season of Lent until Holy Week (six weeks). As with other longer seasons, choose a consistent day (earlier in the week is better than later) to read the devot

Scripture John 1:4–9 Matthew 5:14–16 Big Idea (For Parents) Epiphany isn’t the end of the Gospel story—it places us into the story with an important role to play. The Light revealed in Christ now shines through His people. Family Reflection Jesus is the Light of the world. And now, He calls His people to shine. Epiphany reminds us that faith is not seasonal—even when the calendar turns. The Light we have received is meant to be carried forward. Discussion Questions • What d

Week 5 — Giving and Receiving Scripture Isaiah 60:1–6 Matthew 2:10–11 ⸻ Big Idea (For Parents) Long before Jesus was born, God promised (through the prophet Isaiah) that when His Light appeared, the nations would be drawn to it—and that they would come bearing gifts. The wise men are an example of what Isaiah predicted. Those who receive God’s Light give back to Him in gratitude. ⸻ Family Reflection (Read aloud or summarize) Through the prophet Isaiah, God promised a day when

Sermon Summary As Jesus approaches Jerusalem and the cross, a blind beggar recognizes what others miss: the true identity of the Messiah. When Bartimaeus cries out for mercy, Jesus stops, restores his sight, and calls him into discipleship—revealing that the kingdom advances not through spectacle or power, but through mercy received by faith and a life that follows Jesus on the road of the cross. Main Points 1. The Messiah Revealed at the Margins As Jesus nears Jerusalem, his

Scripture Matthew 2:12 “And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.” ⸻ Big Idea (For Parents) Scripture teaches that those who steward God’s revelation faithfully are often entrusted with more. Having rightly recognized the true King, the wise men were prepared to listen when God spoke again. ⸻ Family Reflection (Read aloud or summarize) After the wise men worship Jesus, God gives them a warning. Not a command with a

Scripture Matthew 2:3–8, 16–18 Big Idea The Light of Christ does not only comfort—it confronts. Not everyone welcomes what it reveals. Family Reflection When the wise men arrive in Jerusalem, not everyone rejoices. Herod is afraid. Jerusalem is troubled (V3). The same Light that draws worship from some exposes idolatry in others. Epiphany reminds us that resistance to Jesus often comes not from a misunderstanding of who He is, but from a crystal clear one. If He is the ultim

Haggai 2:1-9 Sermon Follow Up

Walking in the Light Together Epiphany is a season for learning how to walk in the light we’ve been given. This guide is not meant to add pressure or fill your calendar—it’s meant to gently shape the rhythms you already have. There is just one devotional for each week in the season of Epiphany (six weeks). Choose a consistent day (earlier in the week is better than later) to read the devotional as a family. Read the Scripture, reflect together, and introduce the week’s practi

Scripture Reading Matthew 2:1–12 Big Idea (For Parents) Epiphany is not simply the story of who Jesus is, but who Jesus is for. The light that dawned in Israel does not stay contained there. It spills outward—quietly at first, almost unnoticed—until foreigners are bowing at the feet of Israel’s Messiah. From the beginning, God’s plan was never to hoard the light, but to share it. Family Reflection (Read aloud or summarize) When Jesus was born, God lit a light in the darkness.

Scripture Luke 2:25–38 (With special attention to verse 32 “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”) Big Idea (For Parents) Simeon and Anna recognize Jesus because the Spirit has trained their eyes over time. Their proximity to God’s Word and people has formed and fitted them for an epiphany—when revelation came, they were ready. Their faithfulness didn’t earn them special revelation, but it did welcome the Spirit’s work. And what the Spi

Durenda’s memorial service will be on Tuesday evening, December 2nd at 6:30pm. REVO Church will host the service at their Winston-Salem location: 3830 Wayne Ave, Winston-Salem, NC 27104. We’ll grieve, we’ll worship, and we’ll celebrate Durenda’s life and Savior together.

Perhaps you’ve seen the bumper stickers that became popular during the covid lockdowns and mask mandates, pulling a famous line from the preamble to the Constitution, the sticker read: “We the people...are pissed off.” That turn of phrase pulls on some very American threads—the consent of the governed—government by the people, for the people—ideas that are core to the American identity and to our conception of our system of governance. Our recent brush with government overrea

The Techno-Resistance There is a growing trend of techno-resistance among Millennials and Gen Z. Analog is making a comeback, and low-tech living is being branded as the real self-care. From Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation to Cal Newport’s Digital Minimalism and Mary Harrington’s Feminism Against Progress, a chorus of voices is warning against our unthinking embrace of new technologies without reckoning with their costs. Brass Tacks: Anyone paying attention has notice

In the last decade we’ve all noticed a change in the sociopolitical landscape. To some it feels like a long-overdue return to sanity as...