May 10, 2026
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Sunday Worship
Praise the Lord (Joyful Joyful)
Welcome & Announcements
As for Me and My House
He is Worhty
Child Dedications
Bethany Family Prayer
The Lord is Good
Sermon: Gospel Guardianship
Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery
Benediction
Weekly Schedule
View our calendar HERE for the weekly schedule.
Highlights
Prayer at Bethany
At Bethany, we believe in the power of prayer and count it a privilege to pray with and for one another. You can share a prayer request by writing it on paper and posting it to the Prayer Wall at the back of the sanctuary, or by submitting a request anytime at bethanycentral.org/prayer. Our elders and prayer team regularly pray over every request received. During each Sunday service, members of our Prayer Team are also available to pray with anyone under the large “Prayer” sign in the gym.
Summer Kick-Off Service
Sunday, May 24th, 9:30 am
Kick off summer with us at our single outdoor service (weather permitting) followed by a church-wide picnic. This is a great Sunday to connect with others from Bethany, build relationships, and enjoy time together as a church family. There will be no Sunday School, Children’s Church, or ABC’s that day.
Children's Ministry: Moooooove Up Day
Sunday, May 31st
We’re excited to move all of our kids—3’s, Pre-K, and Elementary—up to their next class on the same day!
In the past, Elementary moved up in the fall, but this year everyone promotes together. Be sure to check the banners above each classroom for your child’s new class.
Announcements
Mother's Day Celebration
Sunday, May 10th
We are so thankful for all of our moms, as well as those who take the role of mom! We want to celebrate and thank you for your sacrifices and investment in the next generation. To celebrate that, we have Fannie Mae chocolates for every lady as you exit the service. Make sure to get yours!
Graduate Recognition
Sunday, May 24th
In just a few weeks we will recognize those who are graduating from the Bethany Church family. If you would like your graduate to be included in that list go bethanycentral.org/graduates and fill out the form there for each of your graduates. Let us know their name and where they are graduating from so we can recognize them.
BEST Lunch & Learn – Midwest Food Bank
Monday, May 11th, 11:00 am
BEST (Boomers Engaged in Serving and Sharing Together) is hosting a Lunch & Learn featuring Midwest Food Bank, a ministry dedicated to sharing the love of Christ by alleviating hunger and providing disaster relief. Register on myBethany or call the church office at 309-692-1755.
Ladies Bible Studies Starting Soon!
Bethany offers ongoing and short-term Ladies’ Bible Studies with morning, afternoon, and evening options available. Join a four-week study through Ruth by David Platt. This study shows that Ruth is more than a love story—it’s a powerful picture of God’s redemption in our lives. Books are available for $5. You can register through myBethany, call the church office for more information, or sign up at the registration table in the foyer.
Youth Group Summer Fest
Wed June 10, 2025 6:00 pm
SummerFest is a special youth group event for 4 Wednesdays each summer. The theme this year is Summer of Courage. It’s a time of fellowship, fun, and teaching from guest speakers. It runs from 6-8:30pm on the dates of June 10th at Cottonwood, June 24th at the Plattner’s, July 8th at Bethany, and July 15th. Go to bethanycentral.org/summerfest for more details and locations of each meeting place.
Tuesday Men's Bible Study
Tuesday Men’s Bible Study meets each Tuesday at 9 AM in Room 817 and will continue throughout the summer. The group is beginning a study through the book of Judges. Please note that the study will not meet during VBS week.
Discussion Questions
Icebreaker: What was your dream job as a kid? What made that job appeal to you?
Discussion 1: Paul asks a direct question — “Why then the law?” — and explains that the law was added because of transgressions and was meant to be temporary (v.19). Why do you think Paul is so careful to explain the purpose of the law rather than dismissing it altogether? What problem was the law designed to expose or address?
Application 1: The law was given to show you your sin. How does that perspective change the way you read the Ten Commandments or other moral guidelines? How can recognizing the limits of rules help you rely more fully on Christ?
Discussion 2: Paul describes the law as a guardian until Christ came, meant to lead people to faith (vv.21–24). Why is this image helpful for understanding the role of the law? How does the law expose our inability to save ourselves and point us toward Christ instead? How does this keep us from both legalism and lawlessness?
Application 2: Paul later explains that rules and regulations may look wise but have no power to stop the flesh (Col. 2:20–23). Where have you seen rules expose a problem without actually changing your heart? How does understanding that the law is something that leads you to Christ (rather than something that fixes you) reshape the way you think about real spiritual growth?
Discussion 3: The passage concludes with the powerful declarations in verses 26-29: Through faith, we are all “sons of God.” There is no distinction between Jew, Gentile, slave, or free, and we are “heirs according to promise.” Why is this identity shift so central to Paul’s argument? What does it mean that our primary identity is now “in Christ,” making us heirs with Abraham?
Application 3: Paul states that in Christ, differences in ethnicity and social status no longer matter. Where might your identity still be shaped more by background, success, failure, or labels than by being “in Christ”? What would it look like to live out of your identity as God’s child rather than striving to earn belonging?
