Together #3: Becoming More Like Jesus

“Becoming Like Jesus Together"

Together: Building Relationships in a Broken World

Rainier Valley Church - Seattle, Washington - Sunday, April 2

7 Biblical Qualities of Christian Love

1. Genuine (12:9a)
2. Truthful (12:9b)
3. Family-Like (12:10a)
4. Honorable (12:10b)
5. Passionate (12:11)
6. Persistent (12:12)
7. Practical (12:13)

1.Genuine (12:9a)

1 John 4:19 “We love, because he first loved us”

You’ll never have to love someone more annoying than you’ve been to God

You’ll never have to forgive someone more than God has forgiven you

You’ll never be as patient with someone as God has been patient with you.

Do you really love your Christian brothers and sisters?

Do you say you’ll pray for them and actually pray for them?

Do you talk one way when the person is there and another when they aren’t?

Is your love genuine? Are there areas of hypocrisy in your life where you’re more polite than godly?

2.Truthful (12:9b)

Based on your closest friendship, who are you becoming? In this season, who is speaking truth into your life?

Are you growing in hating sin and loving righteousness?

What sins and evil do you abhor? How can you hold fast to what is good? 

3. Family-Like (12:10a)

Church is family, you look out for each other, you stick up for each other.We’re family.

What the difference between going to a restaurant as a customer and going to a family dinner as a member of the family?

What does it look like to love other Christians like family?

What would change in the way you see your time, treasure and talent?

How can you personally grow in a warm love toward other believers?

4.Honorable (12:10b)

We show honor to others because they're made in the image of God so they have inherent value.

We show honor to those in authority because God created a world of hierarchy and responsibility.

What does it look like to outdo one another in showing honor?

How can you show honor to those in positions of authority in your life?

What are some behaviors in your life that might actually be dishonoring?

Are you a competitive person? Be competitive in showing honor.

5.Passionate (12:11)

To be Slothful is to be slow, lazy, dull, sluggish, drowsy, listless, careless, neglectful, apathetic, disinterested, indifferent, careless, unconcerned.

to be Fervent is to be boiling, zealous, passionate, vigorous, energetic, spirited. God has called us to passionate service.

Stir one another up to love and good works… Encourage, strengthen, embolden.

What books, people, music has God used to stir you up and increase your zeal?

How can we stir one another up to love and good works practically?

Where are their areas of sloth in our lives?

6.Persistent (12:12)

Christian life must be persistent through the good times and the hard times.

What areas in your life do you need to rejoice in hope?

What tribulations in your life do you need patience in?

How can I cultivate a prayerful life over a complaining life?

7.Practical (12:13)

When someone needs a job, clothes, food, rent, direction, or help in some way, we don’t just pray for them, we HELP them!

God has given you a house, money, food, friends, opportunities not as an end in themselves but as the means to bless others.

We’re suppose to be a conduits, channels of God’s blessings through us to a needy world.

Are you functioning as a river or a reservoir? Do God's blessings stop with you or move through you to others?

What opportunities do you have to bless and serve those around you this week?

How can we pray for each other this week?

“Our relationship with each other is the criterion the world uses to judge whether our message is truthful – Christian community is the final apologetic.”  - Francis Schaeffer

Together #2 "Making Jesus' Final Command Our First Priority"

“Making Jesus' Final Command Our First Priority” Together - Genuine Community: Building Relationships in a Broken World Rainier Valley Church - Seattle, Washington - Sunday, March 26 The Mission Profess (Matt 28:18-20) Proclaim (Mark 16:15-16) Participate (Luke 24:46-48) Peace (John 20:21-22) Power (Acts 1:8) Jesus gives the great commission 5 different times in 5 different ways. What are some of the similarities and differences in these texts? How can we make Jesus’ last command our first priority? The Motivations Love (2 Corinthians 5:14) Compassion (Matthew 23:37) Sorrow (Romans 9:1-3) Power (Roman 1:16) Accountability (Acts 20:26-27) There are many biblical motivations for evangelism. What are some motives you have to share the Gospel with friends and family? The Methods S.A.L.T. Method Start a Conversation Ask Questions Listen Closely Tell The Story    • The SALT Method o...   Romans Road Method Stop #1 | Romans 3:23 “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” Stop #2 | Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Stop #3 | Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Stop #4 | Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ…” Stop #5 | Romans 10:9 “…that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved…” https://www.forthegospel.org/read/the... 4 Spiritual Laws Method 1. God loves you and created you to know Him personally. "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16). 2. Man is sinful and separated from God, so we cannot know Him personally or experience His love. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23) 3. Jesus Christ is God's only provision for man's sin. Through Him alone we can know God personally and experience God's love. "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8) 4. We must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know God personally and experience His love. "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12) You Can Receive Christ Right Now by Faith Through Prayer "Lord Jesus, I want to know You personally. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving me of my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be." http://www.4laws.com/laws/englishkgp/... 2 Ways to Live Our Way God’s New Way Reject God as ruler Submit to Jesus as our Ruler Live our own way Rely on Jesus’ way Damaged by our Rebellion Forgiven by God’s grace Facing death and judgment Receive a new life that last forever https://twowaystolive.com/ The Way of the Master W.D.J.D. W for Would - Would you consider yourself to be a good person? D for Do - Do you think you have kept the Ten Commandments? J for Judgment - If God were to judge you by the Ten Commandments, do you think you would be innocent or guilty? D for Destiny - Do you think you would go to heaven or hell? https://livingwaters.com/ Christianity Explored Classes Christianity Explored is a way of sharing the best news ever heard, and gives people space and time to think about the big questions of life. Over 7 sessions in Mark's Gospel, find out more about the life of the person at the heart of the Christian faith - Jesus Christ. https://www.christianityexplored.org/

Weekly Announcements

Bible Reading Plan

We are transformed by the renewing of our minds and our minds can be renewed through daily Bible Reading.

This week's Bible Reading Plan has us reading Daniel, Amos, Ezra and Psalms.

Join us on the #bible_reading_plan channel to discuss the scriptures we are reading through each week.

RVC Ladies Bible Study

This Wednesday is the last Women's Bible Study since it will be going on a break for the month of April. If ladies are interested in joining, please contact 

@Kristin Marais

 for more information.

RVC Ladies Social & Craft Night - Join other ladies from RVC this coming Thursday, March 30th from 7-9pm at @Shelly Lischke's place for a night of crafts, Easter egg packing, fellowship and food.

RVC Women's Getaway - "STEADFAST: Firmly Anchored in a World of Drift"

April 28-30, 2023

$120 for the weekend, $60 for Saturday Only

Register by 4/23 - Check or Cash Only

Lake Retreat Camp (Near Ravensdale)

Register Now! https://forms.gle/M4Qd3AnqX1FZK4eT8

If you have questions or would like more details, please contact 

@Shelly Lischke

Philippines Mission Trip

Rainier Valley Church is sponsoring and sending a mission team to the Philippines this summer to serve alongside our overseas ministry partner Grace Community Empowerment.

If you are interested in going on the upcoming Mission Trip but you weren't able to make it to the Informational Meeting, please reach out to Mission Team Lead @Stormy Curtis ASAP to get on the list.

Easter Sunday at Rainier Valley Church - 3PM

Join us to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ this Easter Sunday, April 9 at 3pm-4:30pm.

We have a big day planned with child dedications, joyful songs of celebration, Gospel preaching, baptisms and a kids Easter egg hunt. Please invite your family and friends to celebrate Easter with us this year and hear some amazing testimonies at the baptisms! We're so excited for what God is doing in our midst. Praise the Lord!

Child Dedications - If you are interested in being a part of the child dedications on Easter Sunday. Please reach out to Pastor @Steve Pratt

Baptism Sunday - Baptism is going public with your faith by identify with the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus in the waters of baptism. If you are interested in being baptized or have questions about baptism, please reach out to Pastor @Kyle Van Tine

Kids Easter Egg Hunt - We are excited to host a Kids Easter Egg Hunt for the community. Everything will be provided. Please invite families with kids to join us in this classic Easter activity. If you're interested in helping out, please contact @Crystal Van Tine

 We're looking forward to all the Easter fun coming up soon!

Community - Live As Family in 2023

Onward: Launching into a New Year Week #1 "Community - Live As Family in 2023" Biblical Text: Acts 2:42-47, 4:32-34, John 17:20-23, Hebrews 10:24-25, Topics Covered: Community, Fellowship, Unity, Church Family, Goals, Big Idea of the Message: We want to live as the family of God in 2023 Application Point: Becoming a vital member of a community that is known and needed by one another Discussion Questions for the New Year: What are 5 ways you could develop the relationships you need in your life this week? Who are your mission-minded, like-minded friends? Who are the people who make you love God more? Who can you safely share your soul with? Who are wise mentors you could pursue?

Living Stones: Looking Back, Looking Forward

Living Stones: Looking Back, Looking Forward Biblical Text: Joshua 4:1–7, Exodus 12:24-27a, Deuteronomy 6:20-25, 1 Corinthians 11:25-26 Topics Covered: New Year's, 2023, Remembering, Faithfulness, Trust, Future Big Idea of the Message: God’s faithfulness in the past reminds us that we can trust him for the challenges of the future. Application Point: Take time to remember what God has done for you this year as you consider your plans for and concerns about this new year. Discussion Questions for the New Year: What kinds of memorials do you need to make as you remember God's faithfulness in your life in 2022? How has God been faithful in 2022? How has God provided in 2022? How has God surprised you in 2022? How can you memorialize these events, celebrate what God has done and pass on these stories to others in 2023? How has God been with you in difficult circumstances in 2022? What difficult circumstances might we be tempted to pick up stones of anger, bitterness, and unbelief as we move from 2022 to 2023? What is one thing that worries you about this coming year? How can we cultivate our faith to trust God in the midst of the uncertainties of the future of 2023? What are some ways to remind yourself personally of God’s faithfulness? What are some ways of sharing God's faithfulness to others in 2023? How can we pray for each other in the new year?

"Christmas Worship Fulfilled in Revelation" (Rev 4-5)

Announcements from Sunday, December 4th 2022 Bible Reading Plan - Join us on #bible_reading_plan channel on RVC's Slack to discuss our daily Bible reading. We will be finishing up 1 Samuel and starting 2 Samuel. If you haven't joined us yet, jump into the same page Bible reading challenge and read the scriptures with us each day. The PDF is attached and can be printed out and put in your Bible as a daily reminder. Feel free to leave any thoughts, questions or insights in the #bible_reading_plan channel on Slack. Nursery Help Needed - Thank you to all those who have done such a great job helping to serve our church family, visiting families, and our kids by caring for babies in the nursery and teaching children in the kids ministry. By God's grace and your willingness to serve, we have teams for each week. There is one spot currently needing coverage and that's help in the nursery on the third week of the month. If you're able to help out, please contact @Steve Pratt. Thanks so much! Ladies Craft Night - Shelly Lischke and Lauren Soini are hosting a ladies craft night this coming Thursday, December 8th at 6:45pm at the Soinis house near the church. You can bring a Christmas craft you are working on, Shelly will bring materials for a craft if you don't have anything and you're more than welcome to come and enjoy fellowship even if you don't like crafts. Kids are welcome but please RSVP in advance so Lauren Soini knows how many kids to expect. We're excited for the ladies to get together for fellowship and fun this Thursday night at the Soinis. Joy’s Birthday Party - Join us at Rainier Valley Church after our worship service on Sunday, December 11 for a very special birthday party for Joy Mipalar. The Birthday party will have an English Tea Party theme and ladies are encourage to bring a fancy hat if they would like. Joy will be provided some incredible food. Please plan to celebrate Joy's birthday with us on Sunday, December 11th. Christmas Eve Saturday - Please plan to invite friends and family to join us for a beautiful Christmas Eve Candlelight service on Saturday, December 24th at 4pm. Christmas Day Service - Pastor Ken Sabalza is planning a special Christmas Day worship service for Sunday, November 25th at 4pm. If you're in town, please plan to join us to celebrate the incarnation of Jesus Christ, the first and greatest of all Christmas gifts ever given. Christmas in the Revelation #2 "Christmas Worship Fulfilled in the Revelation" (Revelation 4-5) Topic(s): Christmas, Advent, Hope, Nativity, Revelation, Worship, Praise, Holiness, Sacrifice, Worthiness, Promise. Big Idea of the Message: We Worship God as the Holy Creator and Gracious Redeemer of the World Application Point: Beholding his wonder in creation, praising his grace in redemption and trusting his hand in providence. Discussion Questions: Worshiping God as the Holy Creator - Beholding His Wonder in Creation (Revelation 4:1-11) What sorts of things does the Apostle John see in his Heavenly vision around God's throne (Rev 4:1-8)? How does seeing God in his exulted state impact our understanding of the Christmas story? God throne is surrounded by thunder and lighting, signifying his power, reflecting the story of mount Sinai in Exodus. What are times in your life when you have experienced the raw power of nature and how did that experience change you? The Angelic throne guardians cry out that God is Holy (Rev 4:8) What is God's holiness, why does it matter and how does it contrast with us? The 24 elders cast their crowns before God as an act of worship (Rev 4:10) What things in our own lives do we need to lay before the throne of God as an act of worship? The Elders worship God as the Holy Creator of the universe. What do the elders say in their song in Revelation 4:11? How can we cultivate a heart of worship as we consider God as the creator? What aspect of God's creation amazes you right now? Worshiping God as the Gracious Redeemer - Raising His Grace in Redemption (Revelation 5:1-14) The scroll (God's ultimate purposes of judgement, mercy and the renewal of the world) is unable to be opened by anyone (Rev 5:1-4). What would it mean for the world if Jesus never came as our redeemer and savior? John weeps because no one is worthy to open the scroll (Rev 4:4) According to the elders, angels, and all creation, what makes Jesus worthy in Revelation Rev 5:5,9b-10,12,13? According to the elders song in Rev 5:9-10, what does Jesus' redemption save us FROM and what does Jesus' redemption save us FOR? In the final song of Revelation 5:13 all of creation joins in the worship of Jesus as the redeemer of the world. How will Jesus redeem not just individual souls but the whole cosmos? How can we be praying for and encouraging one another this week?

RVC Fall Launch Sunday

Rainier Valley Church celebrating the Fall Launch and the new season at our new location at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood.

Announcements from Sunday, September 25th

RVC Men's Fit Pit Night on Friday, September 30th 7-9pm POSTPONED - RVC's Men's Fire Pit Night is being postponed since there is currently a fire-ban in effect in the city of Seattle.

Rainier Valley Church's Worship Collective's New Album - "We Gather Together" Volume #2 is RVC's new album which is out now on all major streaming platforms including Spotify. Apple Music, Sound Cloud and YouTube. Check it out and enjoy the incredible worship! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLA...

“RVC's Fall Launch Party & BBQ”

(Various Bible Passages)

Sunday, September 25, 2022

Discussion Questions for Community Groups, Family Devotionals and Personal Discipleship.

Ice Breaker Questions

For those of you who were able to make it to the Fall launch party & BBQ, how did it go? Did you meet some of the new visitors? What was your favorite parts of the party on Sunday? What are you most looking forward to as we begin this Fall?

“Because God loves us, Rainier Valley Church exists to glorify God, to love one another, and to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ as we serve our neighbors and the nations.”

Because God loves us...(1 John 4:9-10)

Why is it essential that the Christian life starts with God's love for us and not our commitment to do better and try harder? How would you explain God's initiating love show in the Gospel to someone who thinks the Christianity is only about being religious? How do you experience the love of God in the Christian life? Why is it important for others to understand the love of God in Christ Jesus?

...Rainier Valley Church exists to glorify God...(1 Cor 10:31)

How would you explain to someone who isn't from a church background what it means to glorify God and why it's significant for someone to build their life around this goal?  If someone isn't glorifying God, what or who are they glorifying with their life? What ways of thinking, feeling, and acting might not be in alignment with your whole life glorifying God?

..to love one another...(John 10:34-35)

Meditate on a few of these "one another" passages in scripture and consider how your life aligns with these commands.

1. “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love…” (Romans 12:10) Are you devoted to others with brotherly affection?

2. “…Serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13)Are you serving others? Are you motivated by love?

3. “Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” (Galatians 5:26) Is there envy in you?

4. “…Be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2) Who do you need to be patient with?

5. “Be kind and compassionate to one another…” (Ephesians 4:32) How can you demonstrate compassion?

6. “…Forgiving each other…” (Ephesians 4:32) Who do you need to forgive and why?

7. “…In humility consider others better than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3) How can you grow in humility?

8. “Do not lie to each other…” (Colossians 3:9) What ways might you be tempted to lie to others?

9. “…Encourage each other…” I Thessalonians 5:11) How can you be encouraging those around you?

10. “…Pray for each other.” (James 5:16) Who do you need to be praying for regularly and why should you pray?

..and to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ... (2 Timothy 4:1-2)

Think of two or three people in your life that don't know, love, and follow Jesus right now. How is the Gospel good news to each of them and how would you explain it as good news to them given their situation and personality? Why is it important to preach the Gospel and not just simply show it through our actions? How do you regularly preach the Gospel to yourself when you are wrestling with unbelief?

...As we serve our neighbors and the nations. (Acts 1:8)

How does Jesus call the disciples to local, regional, and global ministry and why does this matter to us as well? What ways are we personally helping to minister locally, regionally, and globally? Why is it essential that we minister in the power of the Spirit and not the flesh? How do you tell the difference between when you're ministering in the Spirit and in the flesh? What are some ways you've seen the power of the Spirit in your life lately?

RVC's Fall Launch Party & BBQ Worship Service video on YouTube.

We experienced some technical issues in the beginning of the video but the position of the camera is righted at 23:35. Thank you for your patience as we fine-tune the new our technical issues in the new location.

"My Relationships with my Pastor, Boss & Myself" (1 Tim 5:17-6:10)

1 Timothy: The Blueprints for Life Together as God's Family Sunday, September 11 2022 "My Relationship with My Pastor, My Boss and Myself " (1 Tim 5:17-6:10) Announcements for Monday, September 12th Bible Reading Plan This Week - Join us on #bible_reading_plan to discuss our daily Bible reading. This week we're reading Genesis 25-48 and Psalm 7-12. The PDF is attached and can be printed out and put in your Bible as a daily reminder. Feel free to leave any thoughts, questions or insights in the #bible_reading_plan channel here on Slack. Fall Kick-off BBQ on Sunday, September 25th - Put on a note on your calendar that we’re planning our official Fall Kick-Off on Sunday, September 25th. We’re planning to have a BBQ, renting a Bounce House and inviting the surrounding community. If you’re interested in helping out with set-up, welcoming, cooking or kids games, please talk with Pastor @Kyle Van Tine or @Ben Johnson. RVC Men's Fit Pit Night on Friday, September 30th 7-9pm - The men of RVC are invited to @Jason Lischke's house on the last Friday of the month for this special fire pit night to reconnect with other guys after a busy Summer and follow-up/check-in after the RVC Man Camp in August. This will be great time of food and fellowship and all guys are welcome. RVC Monday Morning Prayer on Mondays at 7am - Join us online on Mondays at 7am-8am for RVC's Monday morning prayer time. We read a psalm, share prayer requests and pray together each week. If you have a prayer request or would like to pray with us, grab your coffee and your Bible, and join us on Zoom! https://us02web.zoom.us/j/320725690?p... If you have questions, contact @Patti Lozano for more information on RVC's Monday morning prayer group. Ice Breaker Questions This Sunday's message was on our relationships with our Pastors, our Bosses and Ourselves. What is one way you've been deeply changed by a relationship with someone else? What do you think of the statement, "We Are Our Relationships" as a summery of the importance of the relationships in our lives? My Relationship with My Pastor (1 Tim 5:17-24) - Paul encourages Timothy and the church in Ephesus to honor their elders, especially the teaching elders. Specifically this honor is shown in giving towards the church to support the pastors and obeying the preaching of the word of God. How are we doing in showing honor to our pastors? Paul outlines instructions for disciplining pastors with two important ideas. When a Pastor is criticized, give them the benefit of the doubt and when the pastor messes up, don't cover it up. How can we practice encouragement and contentment with the pastors that God has given us instead of consumeristic criticism and discontentedness. Paul's final instruction and warning to Timothy is to not be hasty in ordaining new pastors but to test them over time first. How does time ultimately reveal our true character? Why is it important for leaders to be tested first? My Relationship with My Boss (1 Tim 6:1-2) - Paul didn’t call for the slaves to revolt but to show honor to their masters. It's interesting historical fact that Paul didn’t denounce but did end up destroying the wicked system of slavery by elevating the dignity of all people (human rights came from Christianity). How does the Christian worldview lead towards the ending of slavery in the Western world? The principles in the this passage can be applied to our current workplace as well. What work has God called you to do? What attitude do you have to that work? What attitude do you have towards your boss? How can we practice Christian excellence in the workplace? What "Testimony" are you giving to your co-workers who might not be Christians? How can you approach your work, not as the source of your significance but as an opportunity to serve others? My Relationship with Myself (1 Tim 6:3-10) - Your Pastor teaches you and your Boss pays you. What will do you with the DOCTRINE you been taught and the POSSESSION that you’ve bought? Are we living in the doctrine that we have been taught so that we're able to discern truth from error, right from wrong, righteousness from wickedness? Paul reminds and warns Christians that living to get rich can ruin our lives. Do you tend to hoard your money? Are you trying to appear wealthy? Is your desire to accumulate harming others? Is your hope in "your" money? Are you basing your security on money? Are you able to give generously? How can we pray for each other this week?

#31 Mark 16:1-8 "Jesus, The Risen Lord! " (Easter Sunday 2022)

#30 Mark 15:21-47 "Jesus Crucified" (Good Friday 2022)

#29 Mark 15:1-20 "Jesus Our Substitute"

Palm Sunday Announcements 4.10.17

Good Friday - Join us on Friday, April 15th as we remember and meditate on Jesus' crucifixion on Good Friday for our sins. Rainier Valley Church will be hosting a Good Friday worship service from 6:30pm-7:30pm.

Resurrection Sunday - Mark your calendars as we celebrate victory in Jesus this coming Easter Sunday on Sunday, April 17th at Rainier Valley Church. Please invite family and friends to celebrate with us at 10am at Rainier Valley Church. We will be doing baptisms and a kids Easter egg hunt after the service.

Baptisms - It's time to celebrate baptisms! We believe that baptism is for those who have chosen to put their faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ—a public declaration of an inward decision to follow Christ. We believe that baptizing by immersion in water is a faithful representation of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. If you’re interested in being baptized, please talk with Steve Pratt or Ken Sabalza.

Worldview Apologetics Conference - Pastor Ken Sabalza is organizing a group from RVC to go to the upcoming Worldview Apologetics Conference on April 29-30th at Westminster Chapel with speakers like J.Warner Wallace and Dr. Phil Fernandes. For more information, please follow up with Pastor Ken Sabalza.

Guest Speaker James Rayment - We're excited to welcome James Rayment from the Al-Ma'idah Initiative on Sunday, May 1st. James will be sharing a message on how Christians can engage family, friends, neighbors and coworkers from other religions.

Gospel of Mark #29 - "Jesus Our Substitute"

Sunday, April 10 (Mark 15:1-20)

Discussion/Study Questions

Our King’s Silence (15:1-5) - If Jesus had been primarily interested in avoiding execution, what defense might he have offered before Pilate? Why did Jesus remain silent? How does Jesus' silence ultimately save us? What areas in our life can you practice "passive obedience" like Jesus by not justifying ourselves and not lashing out at others?

Our King’s Substitution (15:6-14) - "Substitutionary Atonement" sounds complicated. How would you explain it to a children's Sunday school class and what would you call it? How does the story of Jesus taking the place of the criminal Barabbas show the powerful truth of substitutionary atonement?

Our King’s Suffering (15:15-20) - What ironies does the Gospel of Mark highlight between the way the soldiers mock Jesus and who he actually is? Jesus was (1) psychologically ridiculed, (2) physically beaten, (3) spiritually abandoned by God, and (4) mortally executed. How do these torments compare? How can we prepare our hearts for this coming Holy Week, Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday? What is God teaching you specifically this Easter season? How can we be praying and serving one another this coming week?

#28 Mark 14:26-72 "Jesus Betrayed"

Announcement 4.3.22Resurrection Sunday  - Mark your calendars as we celebrate victory in Jesus this coming Easter Sunday on Sunday, April 17th at Rainier Valley Church. Please invite family and friends to celebrate with us at 10am at Rainier Valley Church. We will be doing baptisms and a kids Easter egg hunt after the service.Good Friday  - Join us on Friday, April 15th as we remember and meditate on Jesus' crucifixion on Good Friday for our sins. Rainier Valley Church will be hosting a Good Friday worship service from 6:30pm-7:30pm.Baptisms  - It's time to celebrate baptisms! We believe that baptism is for those who have chosen to put their faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ—a public declaration of an inward decision to follow Christ. We believe that baptizing by immersion in water is a faithful representation of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.
If you’re interested in being baptized, please talk with @Steve Pratt or @Ken Sabalza.Kids Easter Egg Hunt - This Easter Sunday we will be doing a Kids Easter egg hunt after the service and we need your help.
Here are some ways you can contribute or serve to bless the children of our community.
Ways You Can Help:
*Community Groups fill and provide plastic eggs
*Donate to @Shelly Lischke or @Crystal Van Tine
*Drop off  Sundays - Last Sunday is April 10th (Palm Sunday)
Directly After Easter Service:
*Hands for Hiding
*Pick Up an Egg Hunt Handout for creative ways to fill eggsWorldview Apologetics Conference  - Pastor @Ken Sabalza is organizing a group from RVC to go to the upcoming Worldview Apologetics Conference on April 29-30th at Westminster Chapel with speakers like J.Warner Wallace and Dr. Phil Fernandes. For more information, please follow up with Pastor @Ken Sabalza.Gospel of Mark: Discipleship, Servanthood, and Following After Jesus
Week #27 "Jesus Betrayed"
Mark 14:26-72
Sunday, April 3rdOpening Questions
What was the best and worst part of your last week and how can we be praying for you?
What comes to mind when you hear the word failure? How was failure understand and handled in your family growing up?
How do you tend to respond to failures in your life and in the life others? Why is it so important to figure out what to do with failure?

1. Failure To Listen Carefully - Prediction (14:26-31) - Peter responds to Jesus prediction by radically overestimating his own strengths. What ways have you overestimated your strengths? Instead of listening carefully, Peter simply overrides Jesus words with his own thoughts and ideas. How can we learn from Peter's failure to listen carefully? Pastor Kyle talked about how we either learn by light (information) or heat (pain). Which of these areas do you need to work on to cultivate a humble and teachable spirit.

• Having an Open Mind
• Checking Your Pride
• Asking for Feedback from Others
• Being Respectful to Others
• Ingesting and Implementing what you are taught? 

1. Failure to Stay Awake - Struggle (14:32-42) - Jesus asks his disciples to stay awake and stay watchful with him in the garden three times and they fail and fall asleep three times.  Why is it important to learn from the disciples failure and cultivate the practice of staying watchful spiritually? What's at stake when we "fall asleep" spiritually? Pastor Kyle gave 3 ways to stay awake. Which of these ways do you need to practice over the next few weeks?

• Get up and move around to feel awake (Practicing Christian service to others)
• Eat a healthy snack to boost energy (Being in the Word to renew our minds)
• Start a conversation to wake up your mind (Being in Christian community to stay active, honest, etc.)

1. Failure to be Courageous - Betrayal (14:43-52) - All the disciples, who promised to be with Jesus no matter what, abandon him and ran away in the Garden. Mark even includes the story of running away naked rather than being identified as one of Jesus' disciples. The disciples talked a good game but when there was something at stake, they ran away like cowards. How do we learn from the disciples failure to be courageous? We see in the story of the disciples that they went from cowardly to courage and we can to. Which of these areas do you need to grow in to be more courageous and what opportunities do you have to practice courage in your life right now? 

• Remember the Resurrection - Death isn’t the end, what can man do?
• Be filled with the Spirit - Same power that rose Christ is at work in us!
• Pray for Boldness - It’s not a matter of knowledge but dependence, we need more Holy Ghost in our lives.
• Consider Pushback a Joy - The Disciples began to consider it a joy to suffer for the sake of the name.

1. Failure to be Loyal - Denial (14:53-72) - Peter denies Jesus 3 times. How is it true that failure doesn’t exclude you, but actual qualifies you in Christianity?  Why is an awareness of personal failure not an option, but a necessity to come to Jesus as Savior? How can we learn from Peter's life that failure is an EVENT not YOUR identity? How can we be careful to not internalize our failures but to learn from them? How can we pray for one another to apply and practice these important truths in our lives this week?

#27 Mark

Announcement 3.38.22Resurrection Sunday  - Mark your calendars as we celebrate victory in Jesus this coming Easter Sunday on Sunday, April 17th at Rainier Valley Church. Please invite family and friends to celebrate with us at 10am at Rainier Valley Church. We will be doing baptisms and a kids Easter egg hunt after the service.Good Friday  - Join us on Friday, April 15th as we remember and meditate on Jesus' crucifixion on Good Friday for our sins. Rainier Valley Church will be hosting a Good Friday worship service from 6:30pm-7:30pm.Baptisms  - It's time to celebrate baptisms! We believe that baptism is for those who have chosen to put their faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ—a public declaration of an inward decision to follow Christ. We believe that baptizing by immersion in water is a faithful representation of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.
If you’re interested in being baptized, please talk with @Steve Pratt or @Ken Sabalza.Kids Easter Egg Hunt - This Easter Sunday we will be doing a Kids Easter egg hunt after the service and we need your help.
Here are some ways you can contribute or serve to bless the children of our community.
Ways You Can Help:
*Community Groups fill and provide plastic eggs
*Donate to @Shelly Lischke or @Crystal Van Tine
*Drop off  Sundays - April 3rd or April 10th (Palm Sunday)
Directly After Easter Service:
*Hands for Hiding
*Pick Up an Egg Hunt Handout for creative ways to fill eggsGospel of Mark: Discipleship, Servanthood, and Following After Jesus
Week #27 "Jesus and the Last Supper"
Mark 14:12-25
Sunday, March 27thOpening Questions
What was the best and worst part of your last week and how can we be praying for you?
Describe your best best meal and your worst meal? If you could only eat one food what would it be?
What’s your favorite restaurant in Seattle? Favorite fast food restaurant?
What food did you hate as a kid but love now?

1. The Ultimate Host (14:12-16) - How does the way Jesus sent the disciples to find the upper room give evidence that Jesus was in charge of the whole situation? How does Jesus' control of events surrounding His passion encourage you when you face difficulties?
2. The Ultimate Feast (14:17-21) - What might the disciples have thought when Jesus said that one of them would betray Him? Do you think you would have suspected in your own heart if you had been there?  In what way has every person betrayed Jesus and put Him on the cross?
3. The Ultimate Promise (14:22-25) - How is this meal both the last Passover and the first Lord's Supper? How do you prepare yourself to partake in communion? How does communion function like a weekly covenant renewal? How would you like people to remember you after you die and how does this compare with Jesus' command?