Bara Church’s “Vacation” Series Starting Sunday, July 9

“Vacation" is a fun and engaging sermon series that draws inspiration from the popular National Lampoon's Vacation movies. By leveraging the humor and relatability of these movies, this series offers a unique and entertaining approach to exploring the intricacies of family life. Through laughter, reflection, and practical insights, "Vacation" presents biblical principles that encourage and equip families to navigate their journey with love, grace, and purpose, ultimately inspiring them to create lasting memories and build strong foundations for generations to come.

Week 1 – July 9th: "The Road Trip of Life"

In this opening sermon, we explore the concept of the family as a journey. Drawing parallels from the adventurous road trips portrayed in the National Lampoon's movies, we discuss the ups and downs, detours, and unexpected moments that families encounter along their journey. We emphasize the importance of embracing the journey, staying united as a family, and relying on God's guidance as we navigate the twists and turns of life together.

Week 2 – July 16th: "Packing Wisely: Essential Family Values"

Using the analogy of packing for a vacation, this sermon focuses on the importance of instilling and living out core family values. We explore biblical principles that guide our choices, relationships, and priorities as a family. Just as we carefully select what we pack for a trip, we learn how to intentionally prioritize values such as love, forgiveness, respect, and faith to ensure a strong foundation for our family's journey.

Week 3 – July 23rd: "Navigating Family Conflicts: Detours and U-Turns"

Building on the chaotic and humorous detours experienced by the Griswold family in the movies, this sermon addresses the inevitable conflicts that arise within families. We delve into biblical wisdom on conflict resolution, communication, and forgiveness, offering practical strategies for navigating disagreements and restoring harmony in our relationships. We emphasize the importance of humility, patience, and seeking God's guidance when facing detours and U-turns in our family journey.

Week 4 – July 30th: "The Joy of Serving: Going the Extra Mile"

This will be an extraordinary Family Sunday as we focus on all God did on/in/through our mission trips to Uganda, Africa and Wasilla, Alaska! In the sermon we will explore the theme of serving and sacrificial love, drawing inspiration from and reflecting on the memorable moments when the Griswold family went above and beyond to help others or make someone's day. Through these examples, we delve into biblical teachings on selflessness, compassion, and putting others before ourselves. We will emphasize the joy and fulfillment that comes from serving our family members, neighbors, and even strangers, challenging our congregation to embrace a servant's heart as they embark on their family journey of serving others.

Week 5 – August 6th: "Rest Stops: Cultivating Family Togetherness"

Drawing from the concept of rest stops during a long road trip, this sermon highlights the significance of intentional moments of rest and rejuvenation in family life. We explore practical ways to create quality family time, strengthen bonds, and nurture healthy connections. By incorporating Sabbath principles, family traditions, and shared experiences, we emphasize the value of rest stops in fostering joy, unity, and spiritual growth within our families.

Week 6 – August 13th: "The Final Destination: Building a Legacy"

In this concluding sermon, we reflect on the ultimate destination of our family journey. We explore the importance of leaving a legacy and passing on faith, values, and wisdom to future generations. Through the lens of the Griswold family's pursuit of a memorable vacation, we delve into biblical teachings on parenting, discipleship, and living with eternity in mind. We challenge families to consider how their choices and actions today can impact generations to come.

We hope you will find the “Vacation” series to be a serious and scriptural consideration of the significance of family. And may God use the lighthearted moments of the Vacation movies to shed light on the importance of family bonding, shared adventures, and creating lasting memories with our loved ones. Ultimately, we pray that this series will remind us that amidst the chaos and mishaps, the essence of family lies in the journey itself rather than solely the destination.