If you lead a Life Group and want to dig deeper into the weekend sermons with your group, our weekly Life Group Leader Guides are for you!  Leader Guides are posted below on Monday afternoons and include questions related to the weekend’s sermon. Questions? Email Marvine@cachurch.com

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September 2025

LG-Leader-Guide-September 13-14-2025

LG-Leader-Guide-September 6-7-2025

August 2025

LG-Leader-Guide-August 30-31-2025

LG-Leader-Guide-August 23-24-2025

LG-Leader-Guide-August 16-17-2025

LG-Leader-Guide-August 9-10-2025

LG-Leader-Guide-August 2-3-2025

July 2025

LG-Leader-Guide-July 26-27-2025

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Getting Your Financial House in Order: Empowering Workshops and Helpful Tools

At Christian Assembly, we believe in equipping our church family with the tools to thrive in every area of life, including their finances. That’s why we periodically host practical, approachable financial workshops on essential topics such as personal finance, investing, college planning, estate planning, income tax updates, and more.

What You Can Expect

Our recent workshop series, Getting Your Financial House in Order, was held over two nights and offered a wealth of knowledge, tools, and resources to help participants:

• Understand their income and expenses
• Build and stick to a budget
• Plan for the future with clarity and confidence
• Learn about budgeting tools and apps to support long-term goals
• Gain insight into payment options like the Level Pay Plan from SoCalGas

Night 1: Getting Your Financial House In Order

Night 2: Getting Your Financial House In Order

Downloadable Resources

To support your financial journey, we’ve made several resources available from both nights of the workshop:

Night 1 Resources:

• Budget Worksheet
• Annual Income Budgeting
• Annual Expense Planning
• 2 Period Budget Template
• Sample 2 Period Budget
• The 5 Best Budgeting Apps to Make Managing Your Money Easier

Night 2 Resources:

• 7 Best Budget Apps
• FAQ: Level Pay Plan & Other Payment Options
• Level Pay Plan - SoCalGas

Why It Matters

Finances are a significant part of life and stewardship. By understanding and managing our financial resources wisely, we honor God and reduce stress in our daily lives. These workshops aren’t just about dollars and cents, they’re about freedom, peace of mind, and preparing well for whatever the future holds.

Whether you missed the event or want to revisit what you learned, these tools are here to help you take your next step.

Let’s continue growing together in wisdom and purpose, financially, spiritually, and in every part of life.

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Books: Click on book title to order from Amazon.com

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New Believers:
Simply Christian by NT Wright
Knowing God by J.I. Packer
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
My Utmost for His Highest (Devotional) by Oswald Chambers

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Apologetics:
The Reason for God by Tim Keller
Case for Christ by Lee Strobel

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Biblical Study Aids:
Tyndale NT Commentary, Rev. Ed. by InterVarsity PressLife Application Study Bible New Living Translation
New Believer’s Bible New Living Translation
Dictionary of New Testament Background (The IVP Bible Dictionary Series)
Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry & Writings (The IVP Bible Dictionary Series)
Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books (The IVP Bible Dictionary Series)
Dictionary of the Later New Testament & Its Developments
Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch (The IVP Bible Dictionary Series)
Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels (The IVP Bible Dictionary Series)
Dictionary of Paul and His Letters (The IVP Bible Dictionary Series)
Urbana Bible Studies (IVP)
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Church:
Curious by Tom Hughes
ChurchNext by Eddie Gibbs
The Missional Church by Darrell Guder
Six Dangerous Questions by Paul Borthwick

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Culture, Race, & Racial Reconciliation:
The Gospel in a Pluralist Society by Leslie Newbigin
Many Colors: Cultural Intelligence for a Changing Church by Soong-Chan Rah
Beyond Colorblind: Redeeming our Ethnic Journey by Sarah Shin
Being White: Finding Our Place in a Multiethnic World by Paula Harris & Doug Schaupp
A Time to Break Silence: The Essential Works of Martin Luther King, Jr., for Students (King Legacy)
Undivided: Multi-ethnic Workshop Videos

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Evangelism:
I Once Was Lost: What Postmodern Skeptics Taught Us About Their Path to Jesus by Doug Schaupp and Don Everts
Based on a True Story by James Choung

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Life Issues:
Counterfeit Gods by Tim Keller
Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis
AA Big Book by AA
Christian Counseling, Rev. Ed. by Collins
Codependent No More by Melodi Beattie
How People Grow by Henry Cloud and Townsend
The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning

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Spiritual Formation:
In the Name of Jesus by Henry Nouwen
The Confessions by St. Augustine
Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
Ruthless Trust by Brennan Manning
A Tale of Three Kings: A Study in Brokeness by Gene Edwards

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Theology:
Theology for the Community of God by Stanley Grenz
Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem

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Science:
Beyond the Cosmos by Dr. Hugh Ross
Privileged Planet by Gonzalez & Richard

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Videos

Is Jesus Really God?
How is Jesus Different?

Books

Questions of Life – Nicky Gumble

Searching Issues – Nicky Gumble

Atheism Remix – R. Albert Mohler Jr.

Raised? Finding Jesus by Doubting the Resurrection – Jonathan K. Dodson & Brad Watson

Searching for God Knows What – Donald Miller

The Case for Christ – Lee Stroble

For the City: Proclaiming and Living Out of the Gospel – Darren Patrick & Matt Carter

The Ragamuffin Gospel – Brennan Manning

Articles

My Train Wreck Conversion – Christianity Today
How to Share Your Faith Without It Being Awkward – Relevant Magazine

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Kingdom Prayer

God has invited each of us into His mission to bring hope, healing, and salvation to the world. At Christian Assembly, we believe in the power of prayer to advance God’s Kingdom, not just in our own neighborhoods, but across the globe. That’s why we created the Kingdom Prayer Guide — a practical and powerful resource to help you pray with purpose.

Whether you're a new believer or have walked with Jesus for years, this guide equips you to:

• Pray for your city and its unique needs, from homelessness to foster care.
• Live missionally, by asking God to use you in your everyday relationships and settings.
• Lift up Kingdom partners and ministries doing incredible work both locally and internationally.
• Support the persecuted church, where believers face danger for their faith.
• Intercede for unreached people groups, so that every nation may come to know Jesus.

With over 50 Kingdom partnerships across 29 countries, Christian Assembly is committed to seeing lives transformed through the love of Christ. From church plants in Los Angeles to anti-trafficking efforts in Southeast Asia, your prayers truly make a difference.

We invite you to set aside time to use this guide in your personal prayer life, with your family, or in your Life Group. By doing so, you become part of a global movement of believers committed to seeing God's Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.

Download the Kingdom Prayer Guide

You can download the full Kingdom Prayer Guide here and join us in this meaningful mission of prayer. Every prayer matters. Every name, city, and nation on these pages represents real people who are loved by God and in need of His grace.

Let’s pray big prayers for a big God who is always at work. Let’s pray Kingdom prayers.

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Equipping Parents to Navigate the Teen Mental Health Crisis: Event Recap

"Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad." - Proverbs 12:25

A Growing Crisis Meets Biblical Wisdom

The statistics are alarming and, for many parents in our congregation, all too familiar. The rate of teenagers struggling with high anxiety and depression has doubled in the last two years. As families in our community face these challenges, our church remains committed to equipping parents with both biblical wisdom and practical resources to navigate these difficult waters.

This commitment was on full display during our recent Parent Equipping Event focused on Teenage Mental Health. For those who couldn't attend in person, we invite you to click HERE to view the event recording.

A Morning of Learning and Hope

On Saturday, February 26th, parents gathered in our fellowship hall, many arriving early with notebooks in hand and concern in their hearts. The atmosphere was one of both urgency and hope—parents united in their desire to better understand and support their teens through mental health challenges. The event was led by one of Christian Assembly pastors, Matt Price.

Four Pillars of the Event

The event focused on equipping parents in four critical areas:

1. Greater Awareness

Pastor Matt began by helping parents understand the current landscape of teen mental health. He shared eye-opening statistics about the dramatic rise in anxiety and depression among teenagers, explaining how factors like social media, academic pressure, pandemic isolation, and cultural shifts have contributed to this crisis.

"What we're seeing isn't just typical teenage moodiness," Pastor Matt explained. "We're witnessing a genuine mental health crisis that requires intentional response from parents and the church community."

2. Biblical Perspective

The event carefully balanced professional mental health insights with solid biblical teaching. Pastor Matt addressed common misconceptions about mental health in Christian communities, emphasizing that seeking professional help is not a sign of spiritual failure.

"God works through many means of grace—sometimes that's prayer and Scripture, and sometimes that's therapy and medication," he shared. "The Bible doesn't pit spiritual health against mental health; it acknowledges the complexity of human beings created in God's image."

Pastor Matt explored passages like Psalm 34:17-18, 1 Kings 19 (Elijah's depression), and Philippians 4:6-7 to illuminate God's heart for those suffering from mental and emotional distress.

3. Practical Resources

Parents left with a comprehensive resource guide including:

• Warning signs of depression and anxiety in teenagers
• Conversation starters for discussing mental health with teens
• Local Christian counselors specializing in adolescent care
• Recommended books, podcasts, and support groups
• Guidelines for when to seek professional intervention
• Techniques for creating mentally healthy home environments

4. Prayer and Community Support

The event concluded with small group prayer, where parents could share specific concerns and receive support from others walking similar paths. This powerful time reminded everyone that no parent needs to face these challenges alone.

"There's something profoundly healing about bringing our parenting struggles into the light of community," one mother shared afterward. "I came feeling isolated and left feeling surrounded by support."

Expert Insights from Dr. Dan Suzuki

A highlight of the morning was an in-depth interview with Dr. Dan Suzuki, a distinguished psychiatrist and long-time member of our congregation. Dr. Suzuki brings exceptional credentials to this conversation, having practiced psychiatry for 33 years with San Marino Psychiatric Associates. His education includes degrees from Stanford University and Northwestern University Medical School, and he completed his Psychiatry Residency at UCLA.

Currently serving as the Medical Director of Las Encinas Hospital in Pasadena and as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the USC Keck School of Medicine, Dr. Suzuki offered invaluable professional insights while speaking from his perspective as a Christian professional.

Key Takeaways from Dr. Suzuki's Interview

During his conversation with Pastor Matt, Dr. Suzuki addressed several crucial topics:

On recognizing the difference between normal teen moodiness and clinical concerns:"Parents should watch for persistent changes in sleep patterns, withdrawal from previously enjoyed activities, and dramatic shifts in academic performance. Duration and intensity matter—two weeks of symptoms that interfere with daily functioning suggests it's time to consult with a professional."

On the integration of faith and psychiatric care:"As Christians, we recognize that humans are integrated beings—spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental. Just as we wouldn't hesitate to set a broken bone, we shouldn't hesitate to address chemical imbalances or thought patterns that are causing our children suffering."

On practical first steps for concerned parents:"Start by creating safe spaces for honest conversation without judgment. Many teens don't open up because they fear disappointing their parents or receiving simplified spiritual answers to complex struggles. Listen more than you speak, validate their feelings, and resist the urge to immediately solve or dismiss their concerns."

On how the church community can support struggling teens:"The church should be the last place where mental health is stigmatized and the first place where people feel safe enough to be vulnerable about their struggles. Youth leaders can be trained to recognize warning signs, and the church can model that seeking help is a sign of wisdom, not weakness."

Taking Action: Next Steps for Parents

As Pastor Matt concluded the event, he emphasized that equipping isn't just about information—it's about implementation. He encouraged parents to take two specific actions in the coming week:

1. Create a device-free dinner time where meaningful conversation can happen
2. Schedule one-on-one time with your teenager in a setting where they feel comfortable talking

A Community of Hope

As we navigate this mental health crisis together, we're reminded that God's promise in Isaiah 41:10 applies not just to us as individuals, but to our parenting journey as well: "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

No parent needs to walk this road alone. Our church family stands ready to support, equip, and pray with you as you guide your teenagers through these challenging years.

If you're concerned about your teenager's mental health and need immediate support, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.

We are excited for you to check out the new Overflow Kingdom magazine that captures how God is moving through Christian Assembly’s Kingdom efforts.

As a Christian Assembly Church family, one of our values is “Kingdom” by which we mean sharing God’s transforming grace with others around us, in the city, and around the world, just as God shared it with us in His Son, Jesus Christ.  This includes both acts of mercy and justice as well as verbally telling people about Jesus Christ and how they can be saved by his life, death, and resurrection.

Because of the faith, service, prayers, and giving of the people of Christian Assembly, people’s lives and eternities are being changed in our city and around the world. This magazine is filled with stories from the last 12 months of how God has been at work in us and through us.

Download the Digital PDF version of the Christian Assembly Magazine.

We encourage you to not only read the magazine, but also pray for each of our kingdom efforts.  Plus, there are next steps available via the QR codes.  Prayerfully consider what your next step might be in partnering with all that God is doing both locally and globally through our church family.  It’s a joy to see God at work through each person who is part of the Christian Assembly Church family!

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LA FIRE RESOURCE GUIDE

We have created a resource guide for those who are looking to help and those who need help during the crisis of the LA Fires.

Download the Current Resource Guide

Since the fires happened, we are so thankful for the outpouring of prayers, generosity, and willingness to help those in need.  Thank you CA family for the ways you are demonstrating the love of Christ during this time.  We recognize that we are in this for the long haul and will keep updating the ways people can help and receive help as things progress.

At this time, we are not receiving donations of supplies to distribute.  However, you can find a list of places that you can donate supplies on the resource guide.

Our CA pastoral team has been following up with the 40+ CA families who lost their homes in the fire. We are in the process of providing benevolence and pastoral care. We are also building wrap around support teams (starting with life groups) for each family/individual from CA who lost their home and wants a team to help.

If you have any questions, please email kingdom@cachurch.com

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Finding Hope Through Grief: A 7-Day Devotional Guide

Grieving the loss of a loved one is one of the most challenging experiences we face in life. It can feel overwhelming, isolating, and even disorienting. However, you are not alone. The Through the Valley guide is a 7-day devotional designed to help you navigate the grief journey, providing comfort, encouragement, and practical steps for healing.

What to Expect in the Guide

This devotional walks you through seven important aspects of grief:

1. Preparing for Grief – Understanding what to expect and how to begin the grieving process.
2. Beginning to Grieve – Acknowledging your emotions and allowing yourself to feel the loss.
3. Coping with Anger – Addressing anger, frustration, and unanswered questions.
4. Bargaining with God – Processing regrets and missed opportunities.
5. Dealing with Depression – Recognizing sadness as part of the journey and learning to find joy again.
6. Living with Acceptance – Embracing the new normal while honoring your loved one’s memory.
7. Moving Forward Unfinished – Finding purpose in your grief and learning to support others in their journey.

Each day includes guided prayers, scripture readings, journaling exercises, and action steps to help you process grief in a healthy, faith-centered way.

Why This Guide is Important

Grief does not have a set timeline, and healing is a deeply personal journey. The Through the Valley guide encourages you to take your time, lean on God, and seek support from loved ones and your faith community.

By committing to this process, you can gain strength from God’s word, find comfort in prayer, and develop practical coping strategies that allow you to move forward while still cherishing the memories of your loved one.

Download the Full Guide

For a more in-depth journey through grief, you can download the Through the Valley guide. This resource offers structured devotionals, writing exercises, and additional scriptures to help you navigate each stage of grief at your own pace.

You don’t have to go through grief alone—allow this guide to be a companion as you walk through the valley and into healing.

Through the Valley guide, print version

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