February Meeting

This month we are prayerfully focusing our hearts on discerning God's plan for orphans & adoption within our church body here at CCBC. With the help of Tapestry ( IBC's adoption ministry) we've complied a list of questions for you to consider and discuss as you seek God's direction for your family. This list is certainly not complete and is only meant as a tool, not a replacement for God's Word or authority in your life:)

 

Ten Questions to Consider As You Explore Adoption

For group discussion

1. What are my biggest fears regarding adoption?

2. Do/will my close family and friends support my decision to adopt? If not, why?

3. How do I define the concept of family? In other words, what is a family?

4. What personal experience(s) do I have regarding adoption – whether positive or negative?

5. Does adoption seem “normal” to me?

5. What have I done thus far to educate myself about adoption and what are the next steps I should take to gain more education?
   
   
   
   

For continued discussion with your family:

1. Have we prayed and asked for God's wisdom about building our family? If not why?

2. What, if anything, do I feel that I would lose or be “giving up” if I choose to adopt?

3. Why do/would I want to adopt?

4. Have I explored the realities of having a child that may never look exactly like me or my spouse? Why or why not?

5. How do I feel about birthparents (i.e.,the biological parents of children who are adopted)

6. If married, does my spouse have the same ideas about adoption that I do?

Scripture for further guidance & prayer:

James 1:5, James 3:17

Jeremiah 29:11

Joshua 1:9 b

Proverbs 3:5-6

Ephesians 3:20-21

Philippians 4:4-8

*HUGE Thanks to Tapestry for providing these Questions

tapestry.irvingbible.org

The Facts from Shaohannahshope

Adoption Is Greater Than The Universe - John Piper

Sooo...Now What?

God, we're open, sooo...now what?
At first it seems like a difficult place to be, but really it's the best place to be. Yielded and open to God.  On your knees, both figuratively and actually on your knees in prayer. Being open while seeking God's direction. Ready to act. Ready to wait.  A place where He can lead you...and He will lead you as you allow Him to.

So, what does that have to do with adoption, foster care or orphan care? Everything.

The truly great thing about asking God for directions is that He will give them to you.

God, would you have me adopt a child? From where would you have me adopt a child?
God, would you have me work with an agency? Which agency?
God, would you have me foster a child?  Would you have me foster siblings?
God, would you have me support orphans?  How would you have me support orphans? 

Proverbs 3:5-6  "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

Whys and why nots

Why?
Why talk about orphans that have no hope?
Why ask God for wisdom? 
Have you prayerfully considered adopting, foster care or orphan care? 
Why Not?

Video/audio message & sermon notes from David Platt based on Psalm 10
David Platt Father to the fatherless

If you seek wisdom God will give it to you.  James 1:5  "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

His wisdom looks very different from ours. James 3:17  "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."

What hope do you have? What hope can you offer to orphans that have no hope?
Knowing God is having hope. Overflowing hope by the power of His Spirit. Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Great Resources & Guides

God has a heart for people. As you prayerfully explore His heart for orphans and adoption and your specific part these additional resources may be of help to you.

Help, We're Adopting
Hope for Orphans AdoptionGuide.pdf
Hope for Orphans Ten Ways to Support Adoption Poster.pdf
 Family Life articles on Adoption
Watermark Community Church:Tapestry Guide

January Mom's Coffee Talk

Welcome 2011! Really excited to venture with  you as God stirs our hearts towards orphan care and adoption.
This month please join me for Mom's Coffee Talk at our house, Casa Nuckels.
Be sure I have your email to send you details:)

Looking forward to getting to know you all better and to serve God by loving and caring for orphans.
He is good:)


James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.


Matthew 25:40 The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.