Jason, Author at Westwood Roxboro

Important Announcement

Posted on Oct 6, 2020 by Jason in Students |

Today our elders issued the following statement to our church family:

“We were informed today that one of our students received a rapid Covid test today (Tuesday) that came back positive. Other members of his family were tested and they were all negative. In light of this positive test, the decision has been made that our student ministry meetings this Sunday, October 11 will be canceled. Because some of our students had planned to participate in our adult classes we will also delay the start of our fall Sunday School (for all ages) until Sunday, October 18. It is out of an abundance of caution that we make this decision. Our morning worship service will continue as planned.

This is not a surprise given the ongoing situation in our community (and country). It reminds us that we are still dealing with a virus and we need to be aware of how best to love and serve one another.

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact one of the pastors.”

The student who tested positive was in attendance on Sunday night at our student gathering. I just wanted to make sure you were aware of this. As stated above, we will NOT meet this next Sunday night for student ministry as a part of our cautionary response to this news. I will be reaching out specifically to parents of students who were in the same small group as this particular student. Please join me in praying for a quick recovery for the student who is only experiencing very mild symptoms so far.

If you have any questions or concerns, again, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

Parent Follow up (10/4/20)

Posted on Oct 4, 2020 by Jason in Students |

Tonight we continued our series called “Awake & Aware” by seeing how the light of the gospel sheds light on our true identity in Christ. We walked through the first 12 verses of 1 Peter 2, focusing mostly on v. 9-10. We walked through the meaning of the various terms and phrases that Peter uses in these verses concerning that identity (chosen race, royal priesthood, holy nation, people for his own possession, God’s people, and those who have received mercy). Ask your students to walk you through these descriptions and talk about what they learned!

Also, use the following questions as discussion-starters this next week in your home. As always, I love you and your families, and are praying for you this week.

Questions for Reflection:

*When you take an honest evaluation of your life, what would you say are the major factors shaping your identity?

*As you look at these descriptions used by Peter in these verses, which one sticks out most in your mind? Why?

*Why does it seem to feel more comfortable sometimes to simply ignore the spiritual reality and simply blend in? Why, though, is it dangerous to do that?

*How do these designations all together offer a contrast to how the world shapes us when it comes to our posture toward others?

*As you hear these descriptions, can you say that your desire for your own life is the same desire that God has for your life? How do you need to pray this week in asking God to align your heart with his will?

Parent Follow Up (09/27/20)

Posted on Sep 27, 2020 by Jason in Students |

Tonight we continued our series entitled “Awake & Aware” through selections from 1 Peter. Building on last week when we saw how Jesus, in his mercy, has awakened us to new life in Him, tonight we focused on God’s big plan for all who he redeems: to bring us back to himself (1 Peter 3:18). We walked through 1:15-19 and saw two big truths:

(1) God’s objective for us is to make us holy.

(2) Sin is the greatest threat to this objective.

Ask your student(s) to share some of what they learned, but you can also use the following questions to have some follow-up discussion this week:

* Are the primary objectives you have for your own life in line with God’s primary objective for your life?

* How does this look at this passage help you understand sin and its effects?

* Is there sin in your life that is keeping you from growing in knowing God?

* How are you remaining awake and aware of God’s purposes and objective for your life?

* How are you remaining awake and aware of the threat of sin in you growing towards God’s intentions for you?

Sep '20

Week of September 27, 2020

Posted on Sep 25, 2020 by Jason in Life Group Guide |

Sep '20

Use this daily guide to help you internalize this week’s passage & message!

Sunday [KNOW]:

In a journal, reflect on today’s sermon by finishing any or all of the following:

I never knew…

I was reminded…

A question I still have…

I was challenged…

I was convicted…

A truth I could share is…

Monday [KNOW>BE]

Spend some time today doing the following:

Select a portion of this week’s sermon passage to memorize this week.
Write your selected portion and read it to yourself throughout the day today.

Tuesday [Be]:

In a journal, spend some time meditating and writing about the following:

Read the sermon passage again.
Write a prayer of response, guided by the sermon passage. (May include adoration, confession/repentance, thanksgiving, petition, etc.).
Write your selected portion of the Scripture several times to aid in memorization.

Wednesday [BE>DO]:

Think about this week’s questions for group discussion.

What effects do the realities presented in v. 89-91 have on the issues or situations that make you most anxious or unsettled right now? If you were to make a list of statements (in your own words) from these verses to reference, what would that list include?
Based on our study in Psalm 119 up to this point, how would you describe what it looks like to “delight” in God’s Word? In what ways does this description challenge your own posture toward God’s Word?
What actions, reactions, thoughts, and/or emotions are you exhibiting that might expose a lack of belief in the sufficiency of God’s Word? What should your response to this honest evaluation be?

Thursday [DO]:

In a journal, spend some time considering the following:

What insights have you had while internalizing this week’s passage?
How specifically will you seek to apply its truths in your home/workplace/life in general?

Sep '20

Week of September 20, 2020

Posted on Sep 18, 2020 by Jason in Life Group Guide |

Sep '20

This Week’s Passage: Psalm 119:81-89

Use this daily guide to help you internalize this week’s passage & message!

Sunday [KNOW]:

In a journal, reflect on today’s sermon by finishing any or all of the following:

I never knew…

I was reminded…

A question I still have…

I was challenged…

I was convicted…

A truth I could share is…

Monday [KNOW>BE]

Spend some time today doing the following:

Select a portion of this week’s sermon passage to memorize this week.
Write your selected portion and read it to yourself throughout the day today.

Tuesday [Be]:

In a journal, spend some time meditating and writing about the following:

Read the sermon passage again.
Write a prayer of response, guided by the sermon passage. (May include adoration, confession/repentance, thanksgiving, petition, etc.).
Write your selected portion of the Scripture several times to aid in memorization.

Wednesday [BE>DO]:

Think about this week’s questions for group discussion.

What is it about hardship that can cause us to lose proper perspective of reality? What does this expose about us?
What are some of the most profound gospel truths that you have learned only through suffering/difficulty/waiting?
What is so dangerous about facing hardship or difficult seasons of waiting alone? How does this shape the way we approach biblical fellowship and community at all times?

Thursday [DO]:

In a journal, spend some time considering the following:

What insights have you had while internalizing this week’s passage?
How specifically will you seek to apply its truths in your home/workplace/life in general?

Sep '20

Week of September 13, 2020

Posted on Sep 11, 2020 by Jason in Life Group Guide |

Sep '20

This Week’s Passage: Psalm 119:73-80

Use this daily guide to help you internalize this week’s passage & message!

Sunday [KNOW]:

In a journal, reflect on today’s sermon by finishing any or all of the following:

I never knew…

I was reminded…

A question I still have…

I was challenged…

I was convicted…

A truth I could share is…

Monday [KNOW>BE]

Spend some time today doing the following:

Select a portion of this week’s sermon passage to memorize this week.
Write your selected portion and read it to yourself throughout the day today.

Tuesday [Be]:

In a journal, spend some time meditating and writing about the following:

Read the sermon passage again.
Write a prayer of response, guided by the sermon passage. (May include adoration, confession/repentance, thanksgiving, petition, etc.).
Write your selected portion of the Scripture several times to aid in memorization.

Wednesday [BE>DO]:

Think about this week’s questions for group discussion.

1. What did this past Sunday’s passage and sermon teach you about your own identity? What areas of your identity did the truths presented challenge?

2. How must we situate ourselves in order to be consistently reminded of and abide in the truth of v. 76? Are you situating yourself in this way? What could be hindering this?
3. Action step: Intentionally plan with another believer to get together for a conversation in the next week with the purpose of encouraging and praying for one another in the Word.

Thursday [DO]:

In a journal, spend some time considering the following:

What insights have you had while internalizing this week’s passage?
How specifically will you seek to apply its truths in your home/workplace/life in general?