God is encouraging... so we encourage others

Hey Bridge Family, I hope you’re all doing well. This week, we shared the story of Paul’s shipwreck on the way to Rome (Acts 27). As you read it with your families, you’ll see a crescendo of catastrophe until, at last, all hope was gone (v. 20) for everyone aboard the ship. That was true for everyone except Paul, who had received word from an angel of God that all aboard the vessel would be granted safety (v. 24).


The exchange between Paul and the crew resembles a scene from a Monty Python sketch. After Paul assures everyone of God’s protection, he quickly delivers the bad news that they will be shipwrecked. Imagine this as you read verses 25 and 26: picture Paul’s enthusiasm as he states, ‘Take courage! For I believe in God. It will be just as he said’ (v.25). The crew and passengers cheer enthusiastically! Then Paul adds, ‘But we will be shipwrecked on an island’ (v.26). That’s quite a downer. Immediately, a heavy silence settles over everyone on board. I don’t know about you, but I found that amusing.


I believe that at that moment, only Paul and his companions remained confident that everything would be okay. Their confidence stemmed from their knowledge of God—they trusted His word and knew Jesus Christ, the Word. This relationship was their source of encouragement. The key lesson for us as parents is this: if we want our children to find strength in God, we must help them know God, understand Jesus, and become familiar with His word.


Try this: search for encouraging Bible passages on Google and sit down with your children to study them. Don’t just memorize; understand the story behind each passage and relate it to their lives. Help your kids see that in Christ, regardless of the storms and shipwrecks they face, they are granted safety.


Remember, as long as your child is at home, you have a great chance to share the Bible. Together, explore its stories, discussing how they apply to daily life, and fostering deeper family conversations. This makes faith an exciting and meaningful journey. God bless, and I look forward to seeing your family on Sunday.


Pastor Bob