Make the Most of it! by Taylors First Baptist Church

Summer 2014

How To Use This Guide This guide has been designed to help you grow spiritually this summer. No matter what stage of life you find yourself, there is a weekly activity designed for you. Any activity can be used with a slight tweak here and there, but if you find yourself pressed for time, simply follow the instructions below: 1. Turn to the week that corresponds with today’s date. 2. See the key below containing the different logos of some of our ministry areas here at Taylors FBC. Decide which area(s) apply to you. (Ex: If you are a single parent, look for activities with either the Taylors Singles Logo or the Taylors Children logo). Activities marked with the Taylors FBC logo are conducive to all ages and life stages. 3. Read through the activities at the beginning of this week and plan accordingly to complete the activity you choose before week’s end. Look to see what supplies you might need. 4. Complete the activity. 5. Post your progress to social media (Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram) through pictures and video using “#TaylorsFBC” somewhere in your description. 6. Talk about what you’ve done with friends and family. Repetition is important when using this guide. Get in the habit of looking at the guide each Monday, decide what activity you want to do, then calendar exactly when you’ll do the activity. If not, you’ll look back at the end of the summer and be disappointed because you did NOT Make the Most of It! Remember, this guide is not a substitute for spending daily time in the Word or for church attendance. Use it as a supplement only. By adding these activities, you will experience additional personal growth as God softens your heart to His voice and leads you down new paths of obedience as you minister to others near you. If you have questions, please contact the church office at 864-244-3535. MNISTRY AREAS KEY Everyone

Students

Singles

Children

College

Married

Seniors

Week of June 18: Prayer

Our growth this summer starts with God at the center

Summer Prayer Jar Keep track of all the ways you would like to see God work in your life this summer by making a Summer Prayer Jar. Place an empty jar or container in a central location in your home. Put small strips of paper and pens next to it. Throughout the course of the summer, write down prayers you make— whether big or small, obstacles you are facing, needs of others, salvation for friends or family members, etc. At the end of the summer, complete the “Dump Your Summer Prayer Jar” activity (Week of August 6 / Page Eleven).

Popsicle Prayers The members of Taylors First Baptist Church are very important. Without them this church on Main Street would not exist. Using your new Church Directory (you can pick one up at the church office), spend time in prayer for both the church family as a whole and the individuals who are a part of it. Their jobs cannot be done without the help, leading, protection and empowerment of God. As a church family we need to consistently pray for one another. Pick a page and write each family’s name on a Popsicle stick and place all the sticks in a can or container. Set aside time each day to draw out two or three popsicle sticks and pray for those mentioned. Write a note of encouragement or gratitude to the different families you pray for and mail it to them. (Two possible variations: use names of staff members or use names of families who are packing up and moving to Salt Lake City or Boston.)

Read, Write, Read, Speak Plan a time this week to sit down with your spouse and read Psalm 5. Write down some concerns you have for your family. These should be prayers where answers are difficult to see and your heart aches for a resolution. Reread Psalm 5, and then ask God to work mightily in each concern.

FLC Prayer Walking Each Wednesday Night this summer, the Family Life Center will be open from 5-7 pm for prayer walking on the walking track. Come join other members as they lift requests to God.

Week of June 25: Family Uniqueness

or Framily, friends who are family if your family is not local

Seeking Refuge After dinner one night, build a fort for your family to sleep in using blankets, pillows, furniture and other things in your home. Search for “fort” at www.simplemom.net for helpful ideas on fort construction. As you build, talk about the purpose of a fort. Then, while you’re in the fort before bed, talk about the refuge we can find in God. Together, read Psalm 144:1-2. Are there any words in these verses that you do not recognize or understand? Who is David, the writer of this psalm, talking about? To what things does David compare God? What do these things—a rock, fortress, stronghold, deliverer, refuge and shield—have in common? How would you describe them? How is God like the things mentioned in these verses? Why do you think David used so many different words to cover the same idea? What are hard or scary things in your life from which you need to be protected? How should you respond to those things if you trust that God is a refuge—a place of safety and protection for His children? How is Jesus a refuge from God’s anger toward sin and the punishment that God’s children deserve for their sin? Praise God for being a refuge for His children. Ask Him for faith to trust His protection in hard and scary times.

Turn off the TV For one week this summer, fast from all TV, movies, video games, social media* and time spent on mobile devices. See how the absence of these things affects your mood and the amount of time you spend with others. Be strategic and plan a few special activities to leverage the increased time you have together. Here are a few ideas: • Spend time praying and making cards for people you know who could use encouragement.

• Turn dinner into a picnic either in your front yard or a park.

• Go on a walk or bike ride.

• Play board games.

(A list of missionary partners and their families can be picked up at the Missions Desk.)

• Bake together and take the baked item to a neighbor.

*If you choose this activity, you won’t be posting online.

The Good News With friends or family, reminisce about how you came to know Christ as Lord and Savior and the people who were instrumental in helping you grow as a disciple. Make a list of people in your sphere of influence who don’t know Christ and pray for them.

Week of July 2: Creation

Outdoor activities

Creation Scavenger Hunt Make a trip to the zoo or aquarium. As you do, read Genesis 1 and talk about each day of creation. While on your outing, look for each of the things on the following list: • DAY 1 (Day and Night): Find an animal that is nocturnal. Talk about how God made light and separated the light and darkness. The light was called “day,” and the darkness was called “night.” • DAY 2 (Sky): Find an animal that can fly. Talk about how God made the sky. • DAY 3 (Oceans, Dry Land and Plants): Find three different plants. Talk about how God made the sea and the land. Talk about how God made plants grow from the ground.

• DAY 5 (Birds and Sea Creatures): Find an animal that lives underwater. Talk about how God made the fish of the sea and the birds of the sky. • DAY 6 (Land Animals and People): Find an animal that lives on the ground or under it. Talk about how God made the animals. • DAY 7 (Rest): Find a place to rest and talk over the questions below.

• DAY 4 (Sun, Moon, Planets and Stars): Find a plant that needs a lot of sunlight. Find a plant that doesn’t need a lot of sunlight. Talk about how God made the sun, moon and stars. After finding everything on the list, talk about what you saw. • What was your favorite animal or plant? • Who made it possible for sinners to know and have a relationship with the • Who made that animal or plant? Creator God? How did He do that? • What was the strangest thing you saw? • Think about the creativity and power • Who is the Creator of that thing? that God displayed in making everything. What is the right response to God as you enjoy His creation? Praise God together for His beautiful creation.

Get Outside! Plan a time to go on a hike or nature walk with family or friends. Think about the details of creation. Discuss the things that amaze you most. Thank God for His master plan and how it all works together. Before you leave, search the internet for interesting facts about forests and animals and look for those specific things. (Variation: take your camping stuff and SPEND THE NIGHT! You’ll see even more of His creation!) WEEK OF JULY 2 CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE

Visit An Art Museum Cultivate your creativity by going to see an art exhibit. Many museums have days during the month with discounted or free admission. After you walk through each exhibit, talk with friends or family about what stood out to you and why. Ask everyone what they would paint if they were given a blank canvas and unlimited colors. Talk about how creative God is as the Creator of all things. Variation: (singles, married, seniors) Take part in First Fridays at the Taylors’ Mill and visit the artists who now have businesses on the property. Learn a name of an artist and begin praying for them.

Celebrate a Greater Freedom (July 4) Find a place to watch fireworks or buy sparklers to light together. As you enjoy the festivities and celebrate the freedom of our nation, talk about the greater freedom God’s children have been given in Jesus. • What do you celebrate on July 4? • What do you know about America’s freedom? Why do we celebrate it? • What is the opposite of being free? • What do you still need to find freedom from? Together, read Romans 8:1-2. If you have children, you may want to ask the following questions: • Are there any words in these verses that you do not recognize or understand? • What kind of freedom is being described here? • How are God’s children set free from sin and death? • How can you celebrate the freedom that comes by loving and trusting Jesus? Praise God together for the freedom given from sin through Jesus’ death and resurrection. (A good resource for further study is the book Insanity of God by Nik Ripken)

Picnic Time Most likely you and your spouse have taken a picnic together, but for many of you it has been a long time. Mark a date for it right now. Enjoy time outside listening to the birds, feeling the breeze under the shade of a tree, and relaxing. Decide who will take care of the food and who will get babysitting…if needed. The food does not have to be elaborate and the setting does not have to be perfect. Before you eat, pray for your marriage.

Week of July 9: Together

Spending time encouraging other Taylors FBC members

Homebound, Elderly, Class Get-Togethers, Meal with Newer Family

Downtown Greenville Falls Park Picnic July 9 at 6 pm Join other Taylors FBC families downtown at Falls Park. Bring a picnic dinner and lawn games to enjoy. Stay as late as you want.

Gatherings and God’s Love Think about ways to open your home to mission opportunities. Plan times you will invite friends, neighbors and Life Group members for dinner, dessert or game nights. Be intentional about having both believers and unbelievers over at the same time, looking for ways to display the love of God and speak about Jesus. Be prayerful before and after having people in your home. Read the following Scriptures and talk together about God’s purpose for you in your neighborhood: Matthew 28:18-20, John 13:34-35, Acts 17:26-27.

A Meal with a Small Group Leader Invite either your or your child’s Life Group leader over for a meal. Spend time getting to know them—where they’re from, what they like to do, how they came to know the Lord, what they were like as a child, etc. Giving your child/ student the opportunity to interact with their leader outside of church services helps establish that relationship and increases the credibility that leader has with them. Let them play an active part in serving the man or woman who serves them each weekend. Give your child opportunities to help set the table, prepare and serve the food and clean up at the end. Variation: send a note of encouragement to your Life Group leader expressing your gratitude for their service to you and the Lord.

Week of July 16: Compassion

Helping hands meeting current needs

Serving Others Brainstorm a list of ways you can serve others this summer. Think of ways you can serve the people in your home, those who live near you or people in need within your community. A list of places to serve can be found in the back of this guide or at the following link. http://taylorsfbc.org/reach/ community/reach-partners/

Walking and Washing Go on an evening walk—barefoot—and talk about the life of Jesus. What things did He do? What was He like? With whom did He spend time? After your walk take notice of each other’s dirty feet. Parents/grandparents, wash your children’s feet and talk about how Jesus washed and served the disciples. • Why are dirty feet gross? How would you feel about washing the dirty feet of 12 grown men? • What do you think of when you hear the words “serve” and “servant”? Together, read John 13:1-17. • Are there any words in these verses that you do not recognize or understand? • How did Jesus serve His disciples?

• Who deserved to be served — Jesus or the disciples? Why? • What was Jesus trying to teach His disciples by doing this? • What is the greatest way Jesus served God’s children? • How can you follow the example of Jesus and serve others, your family, or your community? • How can your family follow the example of Jesus and serve those around you or in your community?

Pray together for God to give you a servant’s heart like Jesus.

Give Away Something You Love As fall approaches clean out your closets, drawers, etc. Donate clothes/toys you no longer use to some of our church partners listed in the back of this guide or by accessing the following link: http://taylorsfbc.org/reach/community/reachpartners. In addition to giving away what’s old and no longer needed, pick one thing you love and give it away as well. Use this as an opportunity to talk about what it means to sacrifice something. How does your experience in giving away something you love affect the way you think about the Father’s sacrifice of Jesus in your place?

Week of July 23: Workplace

Impacting the business world

Intentional daily interaction with others... grocery store, salon, office

Loving Others at the Library The library is a great place to spend time during the summer. Plan to take trips to the library on the same day and at the same time each week. Be intentional about getting to know the library staff. Before each trip think of a way you could bless or encourage them. Read the following Scriptures and reflect on God’s purpose for you in your community: Matthew 28:18-20, John 13:34-35, Acts 17:26-27.

Loving Others at a Restaurant Ask your server for a specific need he or she might have in their life right now. Offer to pray for them and then consider doing whatever it takes to meet that need yourself if possible.

Bring Your Spouse To Work Day Do the people at your office know your spouse? Plan a way to get him/her there. Have them bring some cookies, donuts, bagels or a special treat prepared by them for everyone at the office and introduce them to your “better half” at the same time. Possibly set up a time for the two of you to get together with a couple from work.

Lunch on You Know of a co-worker in whom God may be working? Invite them to lunch and ask them about what God is doing in their life. You might make it a goal to share Christ with them if they do not already know Him as Lord and Savior.

Week of July 30: Neighbors

Those who live closest to you

BBQ in Your Front Yard - “Bring Your Own”

Open Your Home to the Nations Invite someone from another country over for dinner. As you get to know that person, ask them to tell you about their country and culture. Ask them to teach you a phrase or song in their native language. Contact Jeremy Thompson or the Missions Office for information on how to connect with internationals living in your community. Variation: invite a missionary family over for dinner. This could be one who is currently home on furlough or one who has retired from mission service. Ask them to tell stories about God’s work. You will be amazed!

Driveway BBQ Plan a night when most of your neighbors are in town and invite them over for a “bring your own meat” front yard BBQ. Use this time to get to know and build relationships with them. Variation: instead of hosting, meet up at a restaurant and go play miniature golf together. It is easy and a great way to rub shoulders with neighbors.

You and the Dog Make plans now to walk your dog at the same time this summer. You will be surprised at how this schedule will allow you to talk to the same neighbors regularly.

Plan a Clothes Drive Organize a clothes drive for an organization that helps those less fortunate and encourage your neighbors to participate. It’s a great way to help others. Make sure you don’t deliver the items alone. Take a neighbor with you. A list of organizations can be found at the back of this guide.

Week of August 6

Wednesday night Fellowship Hall meals resume

Dump Your Prayer Jar This activity is a follow-up to the Summer Prayer Jar activity (Week of June 18). As the summer draws to a close, spend time remembering and celebrating the ways God answered your prayers and what He did specifically in each situation. Dump out your Summer Prayer Jar and read through your requests. As you remember praise God for His goodness in your life, through both the answered and unanswered requests you made nearly two months ago.

Bonus Week One: Travel

During vacation

Postcard Prayers As you travel collect postcards from the places you visit. On each postcard, write a prayer to God thanking Him for where you are and the great things you’ve experienced and seen. Praise Him for being the Creator who made all the things in which you delight. When you return home put these postcards in your Summer Prayer Jar. Use the link https://www.namb.net/overview-why-send/ to see if the city you are visiting is one of NAMB’s Send Cities.

Encourage a Missionary Help your kids see that the world is big by talking about missionaries and picking one missionary or missionary family to encourage. As you travel think about how missionaries do not just “visit” the places they go, but leave home permanently. Ask you children how they would feel if your family made that same move. Contact the Missions Office for the names of either long-term or short-term missionaries being sent out from our church and convention.

International Food Experience Find a recipe from a different country or go to a restaurant that serves ethnic food. Before your meal use this link, www.operationworld.org, to research that country or part of the world. Talk about what you learned as you eat, as well as the sights, smells, tastes and textures of your meal and experiences that might be unfamiliar. After dinner, spend time praying for both the church and unbelievers who live in that part of the world.

Listen & Imagine During a road trip, listen to an audiobook together. Along the way push pause and talk about what each person thinks of the story so far. Listen for ways the story reminds you of the gospel. You can download great classics for free at www.booksshouldbefree.com.

Encourage Others Redeem time in the car or on the plane by writing a note of encouragement to someone you know. You can also spend time encouraging friends and family as you drive or fly together.

Bonus Week Two: Just for Fun

Supplemental activities

The Truly Crazy/Messy/Off The Wall Ideas.

Fight Well Fill water balloons or water guns and organize either a family or neighborhood battle. Afterward, talk together about the spiritual battle you are called to fight. Together, read Ephesians 6:10-18. • Are there any words in these verses that you do not recognize or understand? • Whom does Paul, the writer of this letter, say you are really fighting against? • What is the difference between fighting things spiritually rather than physically? • What pieces of armor are listed in these verses? • What does Paul tell believers to do with these pieces of armor? What does that look like? • Who is stronger than sin and Satan? Where was that strength most clearly shown? • In whose strength are God’s children to trust? What happens if you try to fight a spiritual fight based on your strength instead of God’s? • What truth can you memorize to help you stand against spiritual attack? Think about the verses you’re memorizing as a family this summer. Spend time praying as a family, praising God for fully and finally defeating sin and Satan through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Ask for God’s help and protection as you put on the armor described in Ephesians 6.

Create Your Own Art Exhibit God is creative. You can see this attribute in the variety of colors, textures, shapes and sounds that are present in creation. Being creative is one of the ways people are like God. Cultivate and express your creativity by making your own art exhibit. Look for things you already have around the house that can be transformed into art—dried pasta, cereal, newspaper, paper towel tubes, yarn, empty jars—along with normal art supplies. Use these materials to create works of art. Name each piece and hang them in your home, creating your own art exhibit.

Attention Parents & Grandparents! Reading the Bible with your child is very important. It helps instill the importance of God’s Word in their life. Based on your child’s reading level, how you do this is just as important. Below, you will find options for a reading plan you can use this summer.

FOR BEGINNING READERS Each week, read the suggested passage 2-3 times with your child. Then talk through the questions provided. READING PLAN Week 1 Acts 1:1-11 Week 2 Acts 2:1-13 Week 3 Acts 3:1-10 Week 4 Acts 7:54-8:3

Week 5 Acts 9:1-19 Week 6 Acts 13:1-12 Week 7 Acts 14:8-23 Week 8 Acts 16:16-39

Other suggestions for early readers include “The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name” by Sally Lloyd-Jones and “The Gospel Story Bible: Discovering Jesus in the Old and New Testaments” by Marty Machowski. These books contain Bible stories, shorter amounts of text and lots of pictures. THINK AND SHARE Questions to help you think and talk about what you’ve read: 1. Retell this passage in your own words. 2. Who was involved? What happened? 3. What attributes of God did you see displayed or mentioned in this passage? 4. What did God teach you as you read through this passage? 5. How can you apply the truths you learned from this passage to your life?

FOR INTERMEDIATE READERS Each week, have your child read the suggested passage 2-3 times and think through the questions provided. Talk about them as a family. READING PLAN Week 1 Acts 1:11-11, 2:1-13 Week 2 Acts 3 Week 3 Acts 6:8-8:3 Week 4 Acts 9

Week 5 Acts 13 Week 6 Acts 14 Week 7 Acts 16 Week 8 Acts 19

THINK AND SHARE Questions to help you think and talk about what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve read: 1. Retell this passage in your own words. 2. Who was involved? What happened? 3. What attributes of God did you see displayed or mentioned in this passage? 4. What did God teach you as you read through this passage? 5. How can you apply the truths you learned from this passage to your life?

FOR ADVANCED READERS Each week, have your child read the suggested passage 2-3 times and think through the questions provided. Encourage them to write down questions they have and things they learn as they read. Then talk about them as a family. READING PLAN Week 1 Acts 1-2

Week 5 Acts 9-10

Week 2 Acts 3-4

Week 6 Acts 11-12

Week 3 Acts 5-6

Week 7 Acts 13-14

Week 4 Acts 7-8

Week 8 Acts 15-16

Additional Resource FOUR TYPES OF PRAYER Praise and Adoration: telling God how good He is. Thanksgiving: thanking God for what He gives and does. Confession: telling God the truth about your sin. Request: asking God for what you need.

Local Ministries to Serve Good News Club & Child Evangelism Fellowship

Greer Community Ministries

Commit to volunteer during the 2014-2015 school year.

Miracle Hill Ministries exists that homeless men, women, and children receive food and shelter with compassion, hear the Good News of Jesus Christ and become productive members of society.

Greer Community Ministries, a Christian These clubs provide opportunity for children in organization, serves and supports its elderly the public schools to hear the Gospel and learn neighbors who are unable to prepare or secure food for themselves. GCM is deeply committed truth from Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Word. to the fight against hunger in the Greater Greer Taylors Elementary area through their programs. Amy Taylor, 864-801-1560 864-877-1937 | greercommunityministries.org Woodland Elementary Gilbert Rivers, 864-268-7031 Miracle Hill Ministries

Bethany Christian Services Mission: To demonstrate the love and compassion of Jesus Christ by enhancing the lives of children and families through quality social services. 864-235-2273 | bethany.org

Camp Marietta

Pat Holland, Volunteer Coordinator 864-268.4357 / pholland@miraclehill.org miraclehill.org

Piedmont Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Center Mission: To be an oasis of hope, committed to demonstrating the love of Christ to those with pregnancy-related issues.

The mission of Camp Marietta is to promote spiritual growth and to share the love of Jesus by 864-244-1434 | piedmontwomenscenter.org building relationships through camp activities. Jack & Judy Dorn, NAMB missionaries Matt Thomas, Camp Director Daryl Hopkins, Minister of Recreation 864-836-3831 | campmarietta.com

Greer Christian Learning Center In cooperation with schools and in partnership with parents and churches, the Greer Christian Learning Center will provide students in public schools an opportunity to embrace the gospel, to grow in Christian maturity and to apply biblical principles to their lives, families and communities. Cathy Neely, Director 864-848-3591 / 864-787-9667 greerchristianlearningcenter.org Commit to volunteer during the 2014-2015 school year.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible and its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. Pamela Garcia, Volunteer Coordinator 864-235-4803 x17 Mike Burdine, Volunteer for the Boys and Girls Club, 864-235-6047

Taylors Free Medical Clinic Primary mission: To understand and to serve the body, mind, and spiritual needs of the medically excluded and their households who live and work in the Taylors and Greer areas. tfmcvolcoor@bellsouth.net | taylorsfmc.org

200 West Main Street | Taylors, SC 29687 | www.taylorsfbc.org