Blog https://www.thewellsilverspring.org Blog: Highlights and Dialogue about Community Tue, 19 Mar 2024 07:44:50 -0400 http://churchplantmedia.com/ How is the Gospel? https://www.thewellsilverspring.org/blog/post/how-is-the-gospel https://www.thewellsilverspring.org/blog/post/how-is-the-gospel#comments Thu, 08 Apr 2021 14:00:00 -0400 https://www.thewellsilverspring.org/blog/post/how-is-the-gospel What if someone asked you, “How do you live in the gospel?” As Matt and I prepare to move, we have been on a journey through the New Testament and The Gospel Centered Life to answer it. How do we live gospel-centered lives? Philippians 1:27 commands, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ”

Sometimes, I learn best from the negative. What would it look like if I was living in a manner UNWORTHY of the gospel? Interestingly enough, I had just taken this self-assessment a few days ago. When we don’t believe the love of God is freely given to us in the finished work of Christ, we live in the following ungospel-like ways:

  1. Needs to look good
  2. Has to fix your own an others’ problems
  3. Needs to be right
  4. Strong-willed with ideas, agendas, and opinions
  5. Has a critical spirit (complaining and bitterness)
  6. Tears others down
  7. “Competent analyst” of others’ weaknesses
  8. Tends to compare yourself with others
  9. Needs to be in control of situations and others
  10. Anxious about friends, money, school, grades, etc

Yikes! Needless to say, I saw a bit too much of myself. We all need to confess our tendency to rely on ourselves rather than Christ. Conducting myself in a manner worthy of the gospel requires me to remember two things:

  1. An awareness of my inadequacy/sin
  2. An awareness of God’s holiness.

Since last Friday, I’ve been praying to be overwhelmed by God’s holiness and fully acknowledge my sin. This leads to constant, freeing, life-giving confession, as I cling to the cross for help. When I desire to please or impress others, I must confess my insecurity. When I struggle with wanting to control how we pack the house and prepare to move, I must confess my pride. When I have long days with screaming kids, attempting to keep the house immaculate, overcome with laundry and meals, I must admit my desire to handle it all in my own strength and ability. I’m not God, and that’s ok… because of the cross.

So, I am working at confession. It is hard to admit my sin. But if I say I am someone who confidently lives in a manner worthy of the gospel, then I must believe that Christ died for all my junk and freely gives me significance and love. I am going to risk being vulnerable with myself, my husband and those around me. This shines a bright light on the work of Jesus, not my feeble attempts to put on a perfect front. I believe that is a life worthy of the gospel!

- Courtney Klingler

Please be praying for:

  1. Matt and I to continue to grow in the gospel together
  2. For the Holy Spirit to be preparing people’s hearts in Silver Spring to respond to the gospel and hand their lives over to Christ.
  3. The sale of our house.
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What if someone asked you, “How do you live in the gospel?” As Matt and I prepare to move, we have been on a journey through the New Testament and The Gospel Centered Life to answer it. How do we live gospel-centered lives? Philippians 1:27 commands, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ”

Sometimes, I learn best from the negative. What would it look like if I was living in a manner UNWORTHY of the gospel? Interestingly enough, I had just taken this self-assessment a few days ago. When we don’t believe the love of God is freely given to us in the finished work of Christ, we live in the following ungospel-like ways:

  1. Needs to look good
  2. Has to fix your own an others’ problems
  3. Needs to be right
  4. Strong-willed with ideas, agendas, and opinions
  5. Has a critical spirit (complaining and bitterness)
  6. Tears others down
  7. “Competent analyst” of others’ weaknesses
  8. Tends to compare yourself with others
  9. Needs to be in control of situations and others
  10. Anxious about friends, money, school, grades, etc

Yikes! Needless to say, I saw a bit too much of myself. We all need to confess our tendency to rely on ourselves rather than Christ. Conducting myself in a manner worthy of the gospel requires me to remember two things:

  1. An awareness of my inadequacy/sin
  2. An awareness of God’s holiness.

Since last Friday, I’ve been praying to be overwhelmed by God’s holiness and fully acknowledge my sin. This leads to constant, freeing, life-giving confession, as I cling to the cross for help. When I desire to please or impress others, I must confess my insecurity. When I struggle with wanting to control how we pack the house and prepare to move, I must confess my pride. When I have long days with screaming kids, attempting to keep the house immaculate, overcome with laundry and meals, I must admit my desire to handle it all in my own strength and ability. I’m not God, and that’s ok… because of the cross.

So, I am working at confession. It is hard to admit my sin. But if I say I am someone who confidently lives in a manner worthy of the gospel, then I must believe that Christ died for all my junk and freely gives me significance and love. I am going to risk being vulnerable with myself, my husband and those around me. This shines a bright light on the work of Jesus, not my feeble attempts to put on a perfect front. I believe that is a life worthy of the gospel!

- Courtney Klingler

Please be praying for:

  1. Matt and I to continue to grow in the gospel together
  2. For the Holy Spirit to be preparing people’s hearts in Silver Spring to respond to the gospel and hand their lives over to Christ.
  3. The sale of our house.
]]>
The Well Kids Monthly Newsletter: OCTOBER 2020 https://www.thewellsilverspring.org/blog/post/the-well-kids-monthly-newsletter-october-2020 https://www.thewellsilverspring.org/blog/post/the-well-kids-monthly-newsletter-october-2020#comments Tue, 06 Oct 2020 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.thewellsilverspring.org/blog/post/the-well-kids-monthly-newsletter-october-2020 Click here to view this month's children's ministry newsletter (OCTOBER 2020)!

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Click here to view this month's children's ministry newsletter (OCTOBER 2020)!

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Tuesday Tidbits for Parents: September 22, 2020 https://www.thewellsilverspring.org/blog/post/tuesday-tidbits-for-parents-september-22-2020 https://www.thewellsilverspring.org/blog/post/tuesday-tidbits-for-parents-september-22-2020#comments Tue, 06 Oct 2020 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.thewellsilverspring.org/blog/post/tuesday-tidbits-for-parents-september-22-2020  

 

 

Weren't able to make it to our Mindful parenting thrive series where we discussed how to prepare our kids for the future? Check out part 1 here!

 

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Weren't able to make it to our Mindful parenting thrive series where we discussed how to prepare our kids for the future? Check out part 1 here!

 

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Tuesday Tidbits for Parents: September 15, 2020 https://www.thewellsilverspring.org/blog/post/tuesday-tidbits-for-parents-semptember-15-2020 https://www.thewellsilverspring.org/blog/post/tuesday-tidbits-for-parents-semptember-15-2020#comments Tue, 15 Sep 2020 13:00:00 -0400 https://www.thewellsilverspring.org/blog/post/tuesday-tidbits-for-parents-semptember-15-2020 Dear Parents,

We believe there is great value in having our children worship with us on Sunday mornings. Why? Bible teaher, Jen Wilkin, explains our hearts for this beautifully when she writes,

"Because we believe there is no substitute for a child watching his parents model worship. For families, the with me of worship matters. What could be more relevant than teaching a young child an appreciation for and familiarity with the cadence and flow of big church? Only in big church will children see their parents model worship through corporate adoration, contemplation, and  proclamation of God’s worth. Only in big church will children witness and partake in the ordinances of communion and baptism. If it is true that “more is caught than taught”, parents should value modeling authentic worship for their children more than any lesson that might be taught by a children’s church leader."

So for the next 10 weeks, our kid's lessons from PreK-5th grade will align with the "big church" Sunday morning Rock Solid series via livestream. You can access our lessons here as a resource to help your children worship and learn alongside you.

Here's what you'll find in the lessons:

  • An optional activity that connects to the message to help get your child ready for the service
  • A kid-friendly sermon notes page where they can write down/draw things they heard in the message, questions they have about something they heard, etc
  • Questions to help facilitate discussion after the message and/or throughout the week

Our prayer is that your kid's faith would be ignited and encouraged as they see you worshiping God with joy.

_______________________________________________________________________

But we still love and deeply value children's church! We invite kids in K-5th grade to join us every week for a time of fun and fellowship as we learn God's truth together.

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Dear Parents,

We believe there is great value in having our children worship with us on Sunday mornings. Why? Bible teaher, Jen Wilkin, explains our hearts for this beautifully when she writes,

"Because we believe there is no substitute for a child watching his parents model worship. For families, the with me of worship matters. What could be more relevant than teaching a young child an appreciation for and familiarity with the cadence and flow of big church? Only in big church will children see their parents model worship through corporate adoration, contemplation, and  proclamation of God’s worth. Only in big church will children witness and partake in the ordinances of communion and baptism. If it is true that “more is caught than taught”, parents should value modeling authentic worship for their children more than any lesson that might be taught by a children’s church leader."

So for the next 10 weeks, our kid's lessons from PreK-5th grade will align with the "big church" Sunday morning Rock Solid series via livestream. You can access our lessons here as a resource to help your children worship and learn alongside you.

Here's what you'll find in the lessons:

  • An optional activity that connects to the message to help get your child ready for the service
  • A kid-friendly sermon notes page where they can write down/draw things they heard in the message, questions they have about something they heard, etc
  • Questions to help facilitate discussion after the message and/or throughout the week

Our prayer is that your kid's faith would be ignited and encouraged as they see you worshiping God with joy.

_______________________________________________________________________

But we still love and deeply value children's church! We invite kids in K-5th grade to join us every week for a time of fun and fellowship as we learn God's truth together.

]]>
The Well Kids Monthly Newsletter: SEPTEMBER 2020 https://www.thewellsilverspring.org/blog/post/the-well-kids-monthly-newsletter-september-2020 https://www.thewellsilverspring.org/blog/post/the-well-kids-monthly-newsletter-september-2020#comments Tue, 01 Sep 2020 10:00:00 -0400 https://www.thewellsilverspring.org/blog/post/the-well-kids-monthly-newsletter-september-2020 Click here to view this month's children's ministry newsletter (SEPTEMBER 2020)!

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Click here to view this month's children's ministry newsletter (SEPTEMBER 2020)!

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Tuesday Tidbits for Parents: August 25, 2020 https://www.thewellsilverspring.org/blog/post/tuesday-tidbits-for-parents-august-25-2020 https://www.thewellsilverspring.org/blog/post/tuesday-tidbits-for-parents-august-25-2020#comments Tue, 25 Aug 2020 16:00:00 -0400 https://www.thewellsilverspring.org/blog/post/tuesday-tidbits-for-parents-august-25-2020 SPECIAL EVENT REMINDER: CHILD DEDICATIONS!

On September 13th, during our next outdoor gathering, parents will have the opportunity to publicly declare their intention to raise their children in a way that honors God, with the hope that they will eventually come to faith in Christ.

If you’ve never dedicated your child(ren) to the Lord and are interested in participating in this family milestone, please let us know! Email jennifer.boegner@thewellsilverspring.org

If you have already dedicated your child(ren), this is a great opportunity to safely come out and support other families in the church (like mine!) who will be dedicating their child(ren)!

When: September 13th, 5pm-7pm
Where: 8200 Old Columbia Road, Fulton, MD 20759 (Grace Community Church)

Hope to see your family there!

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SPECIAL EVENT REMINDER: CHILD DEDICATIONS!

On September 13th, during our next outdoor gathering, parents will have the opportunity to publicly declare their intention to raise their children in a way that honors God, with the hope that they will eventually come to faith in Christ.

If you’ve never dedicated your child(ren) to the Lord and are interested in participating in this family milestone, please let us know! Email jennifer.boegner@thewellsilverspring.org

If you have already dedicated your child(ren), this is a great opportunity to safely come out and support other families in the church (like mine!) who will be dedicating their child(ren)!

When: September 13th, 5pm-7pm
Where: 8200 Old Columbia Road, Fulton, MD 20759 (Grace Community Church)

Hope to see your family there!

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Tuesday Tidbits for Parents: August 11, 2020 https://www.thewellsilverspring.org/blog/post/tuesday-tidbits-for-parents-august https://www.thewellsilverspring.org/blog/post/tuesday-tidbits-for-parents-august#comments Mon, 10 Aug 2020 16:00:00 -0400 https://www.thewellsilverspring.org/blog/post/tuesday-tidbits-for-parents-august Dear Parents,

It seems that one of the most popular things parents say underneath those adorably cute pictures of their kids on social media is something along the lines of "You are my reason."
These parents have a good heart toward their kids. They love them, probably more than they love themselves. They'd be willing to die for their kids (as most of us would out of our love for them!). But this seemingly sweet sentiment and statement may be revealing something sinister in our hearts-- an idolatry of one of God's good gifts to us, our children.
Our children cannot ultimately fulfill or satisfy us. They cannot sustain us. They cannot save us or give us eternal hope. Why? Because we were not made for our children, nor were they made for us. We and our children were made by God and for God.
When we make our children "our reason", we are worshipping them and giving them a place in our hearts that they were not meant to (and cannot) fill. This only ends in pain and misery for both parties.
Our kids are good, good gifts from our good Father in Heaven, but only He is our GREAT reward. He alone is worthy of our worship. He alone deserves to sit on the throne of our hearts.
Living for our kids is no way to live at all. This isn't live-giving. It's death-dealing. It teaches our kids that something other than God is worthy of living for. But in living for the One we were made for, God, we get to enjoy Him, our Great Reward, now and forever, while also getting to enjoy His good gifts in healthy ways-- ways that are good for us and our kids, and that honor our exceedingly glorious God.
----

Challenge for this week:

Do some internal inventory. Are there ways you have allowed yourself to be more driven by your children (or your desires for them), than by God, His love, His Word, and His glory? Write them out. Confess them to the Lord. Ask for His help to turn from these things and for a fresh desire and strength to live for Him alone, as we rightly enjoy the good gifts He gives. 
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Dear Parents,

It seems that one of the most popular things parents say underneath those adorably cute pictures of their kids on social media is something along the lines of "You are my reason."
These parents have a good heart toward their kids. They love them, probably more than they love themselves. They'd be willing to die for their kids (as most of us would out of our love for them!). But this seemingly sweet sentiment and statement may be revealing something sinister in our hearts-- an idolatry of one of God's good gifts to us, our children.
Our children cannot ultimately fulfill or satisfy us. They cannot sustain us. They cannot save us or give us eternal hope. Why? Because we were not made for our children, nor were they made for us. We and our children were made by God and for God.
When we make our children "our reason", we are worshipping them and giving them a place in our hearts that they were not meant to (and cannot) fill. This only ends in pain and misery for both parties.
Our kids are good, good gifts from our good Father in Heaven, but only He is our GREAT reward. He alone is worthy of our worship. He alone deserves to sit on the throne of our hearts.
Living for our kids is no way to live at all. This isn't live-giving. It's death-dealing. It teaches our kids that something other than God is worthy of living for. But in living for the One we were made for, God, we get to enjoy Him, our Great Reward, now and forever, while also getting to enjoy His good gifts in healthy ways-- ways that are good for us and our kids, and that honor our exceedingly glorious God.
----

Challenge for this week:

Do some internal inventory. Are there ways you have allowed yourself to be more driven by your children (or your desires for them), than by God, His love, His Word, and His glory? Write them out. Confess them to the Lord. Ask for His help to turn from these things and for a fresh desire and strength to live for Him alone, as we rightly enjoy the good gifts He gives. 
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The Well Kids Monthly Newsletter: AUGUST 2020 https://www.thewellsilverspring.org/blog/post/the-well-kids-monthly-newsletter-august-2020 https://www.thewellsilverspring.org/blog/post/the-well-kids-monthly-newsletter-august-2020#comments Wed, 05 Aug 2020 17:00:00 -0400 https://www.thewellsilverspring.org/blog/post/the-well-kids-monthly-newsletter-august-2020 Click here to view this month's children's ministry newsletter (AUGUST 2020)!

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Click here to view this month's children's ministry newsletter (AUGUST 2020)!

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Tuesday Tidbits for Parents: July 21, 2020 https://www.thewellsilverspring.org/blog/post/tuesday-tidbits-for-parents-7-21-2020 https://www.thewellsilverspring.org/blog/post/tuesday-tidbits-for-parents-7-21-2020#comments Tue, 21 Jul 2020 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.thewellsilverspring.org/blog/post/tuesday-tidbits-for-parents-7-21-2020 Dear Parents, 
It's tempting to think that if we do all the right things, our kids will turn out "just right." They will love and serve the Lord and be successful, safe, and happy, too! #Goals. Right?
But there is no one right way to parent; there is no formula that will guarantee such an end goal for our kids; focusing on their earthly joy and success "amounts to nothing in eternity"; and ultimately, there is no thing we can do to ensure that our kids will choose to follow Jesus. Only God can save. 
So then, what should be our goal in parenting and how ought we parent? And what assurances do we have? Read this week's article from Desiring God for some excellent insight here or read a summary below.
Our goal as parents?
Our highest goal is to teach our children the marvelous truths of who God is, what He has done, and how He calls us to respond in loving submission to His lordship, while living this very faith out in our own lives in front of them.
How ought we parent, knowing that there is no fool-proof way to guarantee any certain end result for our kids?
  1. Love God most and best. 
  2. Pray earnestly and frequently for God's help and leading as you parent your children.
  3. Be obedient to His leading.
  4. Train our children from his word to understand, and long to be, the kind of people He wants them to be.
  5. Teach them about the amazing sacrifice Jesus has made so that they might live in joy forever.
  6. Display joy in Jesus and the life we (and they can) have in God.
  7. Encourage them to love, trust, and enjoy God above all things.
What are our assurances?
We aren't promised that our kids will choose to follow Jesus or will have safe, easy lives. But "we are promised that God will be with us as we parent." And that is more than enough because He, Himself is our very great reward (Gen. 15:1). Not our children. Not the praise we may get for how awesome they might turn out if we do this or that. And because almighty God, the sovereign one will be with us, "we are free to trust not in our own efforts, but in the loving God who first entrusted these children to our care... we have perfect freedom to do all that we are able, drawing upon his strength, and then trust him for the result."
Read the full article here: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/we-need-not-parent-in-fear 
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Dear Parents, 
It's tempting to think that if we do all the right things, our kids will turn out "just right." They will love and serve the Lord and be successful, safe, and happy, too! #Goals. Right?
But there is no one right way to parent; there is no formula that will guarantee such an end goal for our kids; focusing on their earthly joy and success "amounts to nothing in eternity"; and ultimately, there is no thing we can do to ensure that our kids will choose to follow Jesus. Only God can save. 
So then, what should be our goal in parenting and how ought we parent? And what assurances do we have? Read this week's article from Desiring God for some excellent insight here or read a summary below.
Our goal as parents?
Our highest goal is to teach our children the marvelous truths of who God is, what He has done, and how He calls us to respond in loving submission to His lordship, while living this very faith out in our own lives in front of them.
How ought we parent, knowing that there is no fool-proof way to guarantee any certain end result for our kids?
  1. Love God most and best. 
  2. Pray earnestly and frequently for God's help and leading as you parent your children.
  3. Be obedient to His leading.
  4. Train our children from his word to understand, and long to be, the kind of people He wants them to be.
  5. Teach them about the amazing sacrifice Jesus has made so that they might live in joy forever.
  6. Display joy in Jesus and the life we (and they can) have in God.
  7. Encourage them to love, trust, and enjoy God above all things.
What are our assurances?
We aren't promised that our kids will choose to follow Jesus or will have safe, easy lives. But "we are promised that God will be with us as we parent." And that is more than enough because He, Himself is our very great reward (Gen. 15:1). Not our children. Not the praise we may get for how awesome they might turn out if we do this or that. And because almighty God, the sovereign one will be with us, "we are free to trust not in our own efforts, but in the loving God who first entrusted these children to our care... we have perfect freedom to do all that we are able, drawing upon his strength, and then trust him for the result."
Read the full article here: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/we-need-not-parent-in-fear 
]]>
Tuesday Tidbits for Parents: July 14, 2020 https://www.thewellsilverspring.org/blog/post/tuesday-tidbits-for-parents-july-14-2020 https://www.thewellsilverspring.org/blog/post/tuesday-tidbits-for-parents-july-14-2020#comments Tue, 14 Jul 2020 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.thewellsilverspring.org/blog/post/tuesday-tidbits-for-parents-july-14-2020 Each of our families are headed in some direction. The question is: which one?
What's most important to your family? What are your objectives/goals? What things does your family schedule revolve around? The answers to these questions reveal where our hearts lie, what mission(s) we are serving, and what directions we are taking our families.

Maybe it was much easier to answer these questions four months ago, before things changed dramatically for most of us. The pandemic threw off most of our schedules and plans. But this gives us the perfect opportunity to do some reflection and make any necessary changes.

Do you want to be different at the end of this as a family? Or better yet, ought you to be living differently at the end of this as a family to be better aligned with God's mission for and through your family? How?

I love this quote from Tina Houser, "Your schedule is an invisible accountability partner."

Be intentional about what you choose to put into your schedule/rhythm. What you do should help you meet your objectives. 

You don't have to wait until things are "back to normal" to get aligned (or re-aligned) with God's mission for and through your family, if you've drifted. You can start heading in that direction today.

 

Challenge 1: Reflect on the bolded questions above. 

 

Challenge 2: Write a family mission statement to guide your goals, objectives, schedules, and family decisions as you seek to intentionally live out the gospel as a family.

 
Here are some articles to help you get started!
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Each of our families are headed in some direction. The question is: which one?
What's most important to your family? What are your objectives/goals? What things does your family schedule revolve around? The answers to these questions reveal where our hearts lie, what mission(s) we are serving, and what directions we are taking our families.

Maybe it was much easier to answer these questions four months ago, before things changed dramatically for most of us. The pandemic threw off most of our schedules and plans. But this gives us the perfect opportunity to do some reflection and make any necessary changes.

Do you want to be different at the end of this as a family? Or better yet, ought you to be living differently at the end of this as a family to be better aligned with God's mission for and through your family? How?

I love this quote from Tina Houser, "Your schedule is an invisible accountability partner."

Be intentional about what you choose to put into your schedule/rhythm. What you do should help you meet your objectives. 

You don't have to wait until things are "back to normal" to get aligned (or re-aligned) with God's mission for and through your family, if you've drifted. You can start heading in that direction today.

 

Challenge 1: Reflect on the bolded questions above. 

 

Challenge 2: Write a family mission statement to guide your goals, objectives, schedules, and family decisions as you seek to intentionally live out the gospel as a family.

 
Here are some articles to help you get started!
]]>