Be aware of your audience

New Twelve Stones Promo

Sometimes computer animated voices make everything more exciting!
Enjoy our new promo:

another stones memorial

After the twelve stones memorial in Joshua 4 we only need to read a few more chapters to find another stones memorial in chapter 7.

When the Israelites conquered Jericho, God gave them specific orders to NOT loot the city. We learn that a man named Achan disobeyed this command, leading to Israel's defeat in the battle against Ai and creating great anger from the Lord.

God told Joshua to identify the sinner in the camp before they would be allowed to continue in victory. Achan and his family were identified as the culprits and were immediately put to death.

Joshua 7:26 reads: "They raised over him (Achan) a great heap of stones that stands to this day and the Lord turned from the fierceness of His anger."

Those stones were a memorial - they created a lasting reminder of God's hatred of sin and disobedience among His people.

May we be a picture of the stones memorial of obedience rather than the stones memorial of disobedience!

Isaac to Rebekah: "He loved her"

Our teaching at Twelve Stones will begin in Genesis 24: "The Family of Isaac and Rebekah". It is extraordinary to ponder the steps to marriage in these early days; that is, the father had the responsibility to choose a bride for his son (think of the gospel implications here). Countless cultures still set up marriage in this same way while we in the west cannot grasp the concept - isn't it comical how we westerners condemn this style of marriage as dangerous to marital success?

On the first day of Isaac and Rebekah's meeting, Genesis 24:67 reads: "she became his wife and he loved her."
Think about these questions:

Why did Isaac love Rebekah?
How could Isaac love Rebekah without ever meeting her?
How should this define our definition of 'love'?
What does this have to do with Jesus and the cross and the church?

The Revelation Song

We've have sung this song a few times in church - thought you might want to watch a cool version of it sung by Kari Jobe. All the lyrics come directly out of Revelation (even the rainbow stuff!).
Check it out:

What will 12 Stones look like?

You likely have never been involved with something like this. We will use multiple methods to get equipped and to glorify our God.

What you WILL find:

• Teaching: We teach depth and provide tools for children of all ages to reach and understand that depth. (Not the other way around)

• Activities: We lead activities that strategically promote “multi-generational” involvement.

• Family interaction: We want to make what’s abnormal into the normal.

• Multimedia: We use videos and other sources to encourage and equip.

• Outreach: We plan many events designed for you to invite unchurched friends.

• Resources: Check out -
  12stonesPRBC.blogspot.com
  for updates, videos, family sites and more.
  Also join our Facebook group:
  12 stones PRBC
  

What you WILL NOT find:

• Drop offs. Don’t leave your kids anywhere—there will be nobody to watch them except yourself!

• Bored children. We do not expect your kids to simply “sit here and be quiet!” We provide you with tools that will engage them in all teaching and activities.

• A quiet, library atmosphere. We are breaking new ground here, so adults should expect some noises they are not used to from the kids.

• The expected. We strategically create an atmosphere of “anticipated unexpectedness.”

12 Stones Philosophy

This integrated and multi-generational philosophy is taken from the principles and commands given in:

Deuteronomy 6
God speaks of “doing” the commandments (v1), “teaching them to your sons,” “talking of them when you sit, walk, lie down, and wake up,” “binding them as a sign on your hand,” and “writing them on your door posts.” (v7-9)
All this so that “you and your son and your grandson might fear the Lord your God.” (v2)
All this so that your sons will ask you in time what the commandments mean. (v20)
Are the commandments of Deuteronomy 6 obeyed in the home?

Titus 2
In this passage Paul gives instruction on what should happen in the church. Older women are to demonstrate Godly character so that they may “encourage the young women to love their husbands and children.” (v3-4)
Likewise the men are given similar instruction. (v6-10)
Are the commandments of Titus 2 obeyed in the church?

Psalm 78
God established a testimony and appointed a law “so that the people should teach them to their children, so that the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born.” (v4-6)
Are the principles of Psalm 78 followed in the home?

Joshua 4
God commanded Joshua to place twelve stones as a memorial so that “when your children ask their fathers in time to come saying ‘what are these stones?’ then you shall teach your children [about the mighty acts of God] so that all the peoples of the earth will know the hand of the Lord is mighty and that you may fear the Lord and serve Him forever.”
Are the principles of Joshua 4 followed in the home and church?

Is the culture of the American Christian family a picture of these four passages?

Can a link be established between the rising number of young adults who, after growing up in the church, have walked away from Christ, and the lack of parental commitment to these commandments?

Obeying these commands takes a radical lifestyle commitment—not simply things we do but rather a way to live.

12 Stones exists to equip all people in the church to pursue their clear, God-given mandate to teach the generations below them so that all may fear the Lord and serve Him forever. We will go to great lengths to promote the bringing together of both the family and generations during ministry settings.

Goals of 12 Stones

For the purpose of equipping the church to change matters that are commonly abnormal and awkward into the normal and familiar, we desire:

• To equip parents, especially fathers, to be the spiritual leaders and disciplers of their households.
• To equip children and teenagers to pursue and embrace both the family setting and the knowledge of the older generations.
• To equip the older generations of the church to embrace the younger generations, despite their many differences, so they may pass along wisdom and knowledge.
• To promote deeper fellowship and knowledge of Scripture for the people of PRBC.
• To provide a practical means of corporate evangelism for the people of PRBC.