Some Christians feel that being part of God’s family automatically
creates a blessed life. Actually, some followers of
God feel like their life gets worse because of the gospel. How
is that possible?
Believe it or not many who claim Jesus as Savior don’t even
read the Bible. Without getting in the word a teen cannot
know what will bring blessings and what won’t.
On Monday we learned from James the importance of reading our Bibles, actually reflecting on it, implementing what it says and how it can transform our lives.
Check out the below link for the lesson:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2372651/Faith_FULL_Living_3.How_to_Be_Blessed_by_the_Bible%5B1%5D.pdf
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
FaithFULL Living: Temptation
Our Second lesson in our FaithFULL Living Series taken from James deals with Temptation:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2372651/Faith%20FULL%20Living%202.temptations.pdf
Read I Corinthians 10:13
• Name as many encouraging things as you can from this verse.
Read James 1:12-18
• What is the difference between trials and temptations?
What is God’s purpose in our trials (remember last week’s lesson)?
What is Satan’s purpose in our temptations?
• God is never the source of temptation to evil. Of what things is he the source (1:5, 16-18)?
• Explain sin’s progression in verses 14-15 using today’s fishing analogy.
The bait is dropped (Satan knows our inner-desires)
I am attracted to the bait (deceived)
I bite the bait (disobedience)
I am hooked and fried (death)
• At what point in this progression does it become sin?
• What does understanding the truth of verse 17 have to do with withstanding Satan’s deception?
• How does the word of truth give us a new birth? What does this tell you about the importance of Bible Study?
REFLECT:
1. When you fall into sin who or what are you tempted to blame? How do you avoid responsibility?
2. Briefly discuss the problems we face as a culture with immodesty. What can you do in your home and in our church to address this issue?
3. What “bait” is Satan putting on the hook to draw you away from God?
4. To face this temptation and be victorious which of the following steps from today’s message do you need to take?
Be realistic- Be honest and open about your susceptibility to temptation.
Be responsible- Stop making excuses for your sin and stop shifting the blame to someone or something else.
Be ready- Stay alert to the Devil’s tactics and sins progression.
Be refocused- Get your focus off your weakness and onto….truth, God, scripture, spiritual friendships, serving others.
Be reborn- I need a brand new start through the power of the Holy Spirit.
THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE: “Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadow.” (James 1:16-17)
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2372651/Faith%20FULL%20Living%202.temptations.pdf
Read I Corinthians 10:13
• Name as many encouraging things as you can from this verse.
Read James 1:12-18
• What is the difference between trials and temptations?
What is God’s purpose in our trials (remember last week’s lesson)?
What is Satan’s purpose in our temptations?
• God is never the source of temptation to evil. Of what things is he the source (1:5, 16-18)?
• Explain sin’s progression in verses 14-15 using today’s fishing analogy.
The bait is dropped (Satan knows our inner-desires)
I am attracted to the bait (deceived)
I bite the bait (disobedience)
I am hooked and fried (death)
• At what point in this progression does it become sin?
• What does understanding the truth of verse 17 have to do with withstanding Satan’s deception?
• How does the word of truth give us a new birth? What does this tell you about the importance of Bible Study?
REFLECT:
1. When you fall into sin who or what are you tempted to blame? How do you avoid responsibility?
2. Briefly discuss the problems we face as a culture with immodesty. What can you do in your home and in our church to address this issue?
3. What “bait” is Satan putting on the hook to draw you away from God?
4. To face this temptation and be victorious which of the following steps from today’s message do you need to take?
Be realistic- Be honest and open about your susceptibility to temptation.
Be responsible- Stop making excuses for your sin and stop shifting the blame to someone or something else.
Be ready- Stay alert to the Devil’s tactics and sins progression.
Be refocused- Get your focus off your weakness and onto….truth, God, scripture, spiritual friendships, serving others.
Be reborn- I need a brand new start through the power of the Holy Spirit.
THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE: “Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadow.” (James 1:16-17)
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
FaithFULL Living
We have started a new series called faithFULL Living. It is taken from the book of James and will help encourage youth on how we are to live faithfully for God. Our first lesson dealt with how we deal with problems and trials in our lives. (Which coincidently fits with our last series of lessons)
Check out our first lesson here:
http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/2372651/Faith%20FULL%20Living%201.pdf
A quick synopsis of the lesson is below and is also page 5 of the download above.
How to Profit From Your Problems
OPEN: What do you do to cheer up when you are down?
READ: Read James 1:1-12
• James says “when” we face trials, not if we face trials? Why is it important for us to understand that trials are inevitable?
• What happens if you don’t understand this?
• How does James tell us to respond to trials?
• Why should we respond like this? What progression in Christian maturity does James describe in verses 3-4?
• Does perseverance here imply active overcoming or passive acceptance? What is the difference?
• In the middle of discussing trials, James mentions wisdom. What does wisdom have to do with facing trials?
• Why should we pray for wisdom and not just perseverance?
• When we ask for wisdom, we must believe something about God. What must we believe (5-8)?
• Why does God allow trials in our life? What is the purpose? Why is this so hard for us to see?
DIG: If you have time, look at some of the following cross-references. What do they teach us about trials and suffering?
Matthew 5:11-12 Romans 5:3-5 Hebrews 2:10 Hebrews 12:11 I Peter 1:6-7
REFLECT:
1. How do you normally feel and respond when you face trials?
2. Share a trial you endured earlier in your life and how God used it to mature you. What did He teach you? What trial are you encountering today? Which of the following steps do you need to take to allow God to use this trial for your benefit?
The APPLICATION:
How do we put this lesson into practice?
Request- Ask God for wisdom to see this trial from His perspective and know what he is trying to teach you.
Resolve- Make your mind up to persevere and trust God in the middle of this trial. Don’t be double-minded or swayed by Satan.
Relax- Know that God will deliver you at the right time and that He is right now maturing you.
Rejoice- Praise God in the middle of the trial before you know the resolution because you know God is working.
PRAYER TIME: Pray for wisdom in your specific trial.
THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you
face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”
James 1:2-3
Check out our first lesson here:
http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/2372651/Faith%20FULL%20Living%201.pdf
A quick synopsis of the lesson is below and is also page 5 of the download above.
How to Profit From Your Problems
OPEN: What do you do to cheer up when you are down?
READ: Read James 1:1-12
• James says “when” we face trials, not if we face trials? Why is it important for us to understand that trials are inevitable?
• What happens if you don’t understand this?
• How does James tell us to respond to trials?
• Why should we respond like this? What progression in Christian maturity does James describe in verses 3-4?
• Does perseverance here imply active overcoming or passive acceptance? What is the difference?
• In the middle of discussing trials, James mentions wisdom. What does wisdom have to do with facing trials?
• Why should we pray for wisdom and not just perseverance?
• When we ask for wisdom, we must believe something about God. What must we believe (5-8)?
• Why does God allow trials in our life? What is the purpose? Why is this so hard for us to see?
DIG: If you have time, look at some of the following cross-references. What do they teach us about trials and suffering?
Matthew 5:11-12 Romans 5:3-5 Hebrews 2:10 Hebrews 12:11 I Peter 1:6-7
REFLECT:
1. How do you normally feel and respond when you face trials?
2. Share a trial you endured earlier in your life and how God used it to mature you. What did He teach you? What trial are you encountering today? Which of the following steps do you need to take to allow God to use this trial for your benefit?
The APPLICATION:
How do we put this lesson into practice?
Request- Ask God for wisdom to see this trial from His perspective and know what he is trying to teach you.
Resolve- Make your mind up to persevere and trust God in the middle of this trial. Don’t be double-minded or swayed by Satan.
Relax- Know that God will deliver you at the right time and that He is right now maturing you.
Rejoice- Praise God in the middle of the trial before you know the resolution because you know God is working.
PRAYER TIME: Pray for wisdom in your specific trial.
THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you
face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”
James 1:2-3
Monday, November 2, 2009
Why We Need Strong Parents
This blog is a great resource for all things concerning our youth group but one of the driving forces behind starting it up was to equip parents with the tools necessary to minister to their youth. To meet that goal helpful articles will be posted each week.
This is an article I came across recently and its makes some good points on why we need strong parent involvement in our teens lives.
Why We Need Strong Parents by Paul Evans & Al Millergren
1. Develop In Your Teen A Personal Faith In God. Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all of your might…” Certainly raising our children and developing spiritual relationships is the ultimate “whatever.” Parenthood is one of the most pressure-packed vocations a person can experience, so “all your might” is not an option, but a requirement. Tie each moment to God and not to a phrase like, “Because I said so.” Explain and model the spiritual significance of your decisions.
2. Families Are Collapsing. Families are falling apart at a rapid rate. Children are being neglected because of parents’ jobs, abuse, and divorce. Many families no longer communicate as in previous decades because of media, music, and microwaves, just to name a few. How firm is your household's foundation? Is there serious rotting among your relationships? Study the structure of your family. How much time do you share together? When was the last meal that brought the entire crew to the table? Set aside a minimum of one night per week to eat and discuss your relationships.
3. Teen Sexuality. Teens seem to no longer be afraid of diseases or pregnancy. Many girls give their bodies to the nearest “I love you.” Guys forfeit their virginity to prove their manhood, and all of this is wrapped in the heated hormones of adolescence. Teach teens the reason behind God’s rules of purity. Read Ephesians 5:3 & I Corinthians 6:19-20 together and talk about God’s desires compared to the heart’s desires.
4. Teen Substance Abuse Is On The Incline. The University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research reports that 54.3 percent of students had used an illicit drug by the time they reached their senior year of high school. Each year more and more teens become alcoholics, and nicotine & drug addicts. They use these substances to escape life, to end life, or to live up to the expectations of their peers. Inform yourself about substance risks, then inform your teen without accusing him or her. Log on to http://www.nida.nih.gov/NIDAHome2.html for information and statistics about teens and drugs.
5. Unhealthy Media Overload. We are parenting the first wireless generation as proven by the comic strip Zits. Jeremy texts his mom from upstairs to ask what’s for dinner? No one has to meet face-to-face, or even voice-to-voice. Texts, Emails and chat rooms replace personal interaction most of the time. First, talk and listen. Even if it’s just to ask, “How was your day?” Second, regulate the media influences by getting unplugged. Set aside specific periods each week where the television, radio, computer, will be unplugged and use that time to share your lives. Never allow people or events to come into your home via media that you would not have in person. Also, consider blocks on your computer to keep certain sites out of your home.
6. Morality Is On The Decline. If sitcoms and teen nighttime soap operas reflect the values of today's young person, we can assume that premarital sexual activity, binge drinking, and hurting others to get ahead have become the new standards. Create on paper a set of core values for your family. What areas as a family, not just for your teen, will you refuse to compromise? What standards will become nonnegotiable?
7. Peer Pressure Will Always Be An Issue. Acceptance and love remains the number one longing of today's young person. The need to fit in can be so overwhelming that teenagers will lower their virtues in order to match a certain peer group. Guide your teen toward God-esteem instead of self-esteem. Explore Romans 5:6-8 with your child.
8. Teen Violence Is Increasing. The massacres at Columbine High School and other institutions uncovered the eyes of society in relation to teen brutality. Even more shocking is the recent incident involving the rape of a four-year-old girl by an eight-year-old boy. Increase your awareness of your children’s activities without prying. Do you know the names of their friends? Do you know where they spend their time? Are you aware of the influences that touch their lives? Do you know where they are gong via the internet?
9. To Provide A Safe Haven. Teenagers are prone to adopt an “everyone is against me” attitude. Their friend’s tend to gossip. Dating relationships dissolve. Cheerleading and sports don’t always deliver the popularity they promise. Home needs to be a place where teens know they won’t be judged wrongfully, or be expected to live up to some unattainable expectation.
10. Society's Spiritual Exploration. That sounds positive, doesn't it? The danger is that our culture is exploring every form of spirituality from crystals to angel worship. Spirituality is on the rise, but Christianity is not the fastest growing spiritual group. Stress relationship over ritual. Many methods of spirituality focus on freedom rather than faith. The Father desires followers who trust in Him, not those seeking fulfillment through their own power (Read Hebrews 11).
For a Print Out Version of this Article Please click below:
http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/2372651/Why%20We%20Need%20Strong%20Parents.doc
This is an article I came across recently and its makes some good points on why we need strong parent involvement in our teens lives.
Why We Need Strong Parents by Paul Evans & Al Millergren
1. Develop In Your Teen A Personal Faith In God. Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all of your might…” Certainly raising our children and developing spiritual relationships is the ultimate “whatever.” Parenthood is one of the most pressure-packed vocations a person can experience, so “all your might” is not an option, but a requirement. Tie each moment to God and not to a phrase like, “Because I said so.” Explain and model the spiritual significance of your decisions.
2. Families Are Collapsing. Families are falling apart at a rapid rate. Children are being neglected because of parents’ jobs, abuse, and divorce. Many families no longer communicate as in previous decades because of media, music, and microwaves, just to name a few. How firm is your household's foundation? Is there serious rotting among your relationships? Study the structure of your family. How much time do you share together? When was the last meal that brought the entire crew to the table? Set aside a minimum of one night per week to eat and discuss your relationships.
3. Teen Sexuality. Teens seem to no longer be afraid of diseases or pregnancy. Many girls give their bodies to the nearest “I love you.” Guys forfeit their virginity to prove their manhood, and all of this is wrapped in the heated hormones of adolescence. Teach teens the reason behind God’s rules of purity. Read Ephesians 5:3 & I Corinthians 6:19-20 together and talk about God’s desires compared to the heart’s desires.
4. Teen Substance Abuse Is On The Incline. The University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research reports that 54.3 percent of students had used an illicit drug by the time they reached their senior year of high school. Each year more and more teens become alcoholics, and nicotine & drug addicts. They use these substances to escape life, to end life, or to live up to the expectations of their peers. Inform yourself about substance risks, then inform your teen without accusing him or her. Log on to http://www.nida.nih.gov/NIDAHome2.html for information and statistics about teens and drugs.
5. Unhealthy Media Overload. We are parenting the first wireless generation as proven by the comic strip Zits. Jeremy texts his mom from upstairs to ask what’s for dinner? No one has to meet face-to-face, or even voice-to-voice. Texts, Emails and chat rooms replace personal interaction most of the time. First, talk and listen. Even if it’s just to ask, “How was your day?” Second, regulate the media influences by getting unplugged. Set aside specific periods each week where the television, radio, computer, will be unplugged and use that time to share your lives. Never allow people or events to come into your home via media that you would not have in person. Also, consider blocks on your computer to keep certain sites out of your home.
6. Morality Is On The Decline. If sitcoms and teen nighttime soap operas reflect the values of today's young person, we can assume that premarital sexual activity, binge drinking, and hurting others to get ahead have become the new standards. Create on paper a set of core values for your family. What areas as a family, not just for your teen, will you refuse to compromise? What standards will become nonnegotiable?
7. Peer Pressure Will Always Be An Issue. Acceptance and love remains the number one longing of today's young person. The need to fit in can be so overwhelming that teenagers will lower their virtues in order to match a certain peer group. Guide your teen toward God-esteem instead of self-esteem. Explore Romans 5:6-8 with your child.
8. Teen Violence Is Increasing. The massacres at Columbine High School and other institutions uncovered the eyes of society in relation to teen brutality. Even more shocking is the recent incident involving the rape of a four-year-old girl by an eight-year-old boy. Increase your awareness of your children’s activities without prying. Do you know the names of their friends? Do you know where they spend their time? Are you aware of the influences that touch their lives? Do you know where they are gong via the internet?
9. To Provide A Safe Haven. Teenagers are prone to adopt an “everyone is against me” attitude. Their friend’s tend to gossip. Dating relationships dissolve. Cheerleading and sports don’t always deliver the popularity they promise. Home needs to be a place where teens know they won’t be judged wrongfully, or be expected to live up to some unattainable expectation.
10. Society's Spiritual Exploration. That sounds positive, doesn't it? The danger is that our culture is exploring every form of spirituality from crystals to angel worship. Spirituality is on the rise, but Christianity is not the fastest growing spiritual group. Stress relationship over ritual. Many methods of spirituality focus on freedom rather than faith. The Father desires followers who trust in Him, not those seeking fulfillment through their own power (Read Hebrews 11).
For a Print Out Version of this Article Please click below:
http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/2372651/Why%20We%20Need%20Strong%20Parents.doc
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