Wednesday, January 30, 2008
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3
This Sunday students and leaders will split into two groups. The Epic Cafe large group meeting will be lead by Mike Upman. Others participating in the summer Mexico Missions trip will meet at 9:45, followed by lunch and Q/A for students and parents at 12:15 p.m. Make sure you have responded to Lynn Kamps for luncheon reservations.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27
PRAYER AND GOD'S PRESENCE
Last week we talked about the importance of hanging out with our best friends. We hope that more and more the students will find Jesus to be their best friend. This is developed through regular times of worship, devotions, meditation, and prayer.
When we try to make new friends or hanging around people we don't know well, we usually feel tense or guarded. We're typically polite but reserved, a natural process. It takes time to feel comfortable with others and to be ourselves.
A more comfortable situation is when we're with a best friend. That's when we can be ourselves. Conversation is natural. We don't have to be entertaining, talkative, or even in a good mood. Being together is enough, at least some of the time. Being together is what friends do. Sometimes we take turns talking and listening. Our times together aren't always the same, aren't always perfect.
Spending time with our best friend is what this lesson is all about- learning to enjoy the presence of God and talking to him through prayer. As we continue to grow in our relationship with God, a time will come- maybe it already has- when we feel comfortable being with God, just being who we really are. Prayer will be natural, comfortable, flowing , and a natural outflow of our day to day life.
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
And when you pray, do not deep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
This is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Mt. 6:5-13
Other sources for further study: Philippians 4:6-7, Mark 1:35, 2 Chronicles 7:14, 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Why would Jesus call the people who love to be recognized for their prayer lives hypocrites? Why aren't they setting a good example of devotion for others to follow?
How have hypocrites received their reward in full? What does Jesus mean?
According to the example Jesus gave, what attitude ought you have toward God?
What are some specific clues from the text that imply this attitude?
Why should you pray for God's will to be done on earth if God is all powerful and always in control?
What is the connection between forgiveness and spiritual maturity?
If God know what you need before you ask it, then why should you pray? What's the biggest hurdle that keeps you from a stronger prayer life?
With your group make a list of five or more ways any of you can serve other people through prayer.
This week and beyond how can you pray for those in your small group?
Last week we talked about the importance of hanging out with our best friends. We hope that more and more the students will find Jesus to be their best friend. This is developed through regular times of worship, devotions, meditation, and prayer.
When we try to make new friends or hanging around people we don't know well, we usually feel tense or guarded. We're typically polite but reserved, a natural process. It takes time to feel comfortable with others and to be ourselves.
A more comfortable situation is when we're with a best friend. That's when we can be ourselves. Conversation is natural. We don't have to be entertaining, talkative, or even in a good mood. Being together is enough, at least some of the time. Being together is what friends do. Sometimes we take turns talking and listening. Our times together aren't always the same, aren't always perfect.
Spending time with our best friend is what this lesson is all about- learning to enjoy the presence of God and talking to him through prayer. As we continue to grow in our relationship with God, a time will come- maybe it already has- when we feel comfortable being with God, just being who we really are. Prayer will be natural, comfortable, flowing , and a natural outflow of our day to day life.
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
And when you pray, do not deep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
This is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Mt. 6:5-13
Other sources for further study: Philippians 4:6-7, Mark 1:35, 2 Chronicles 7:14, 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Why would Jesus call the people who love to be recognized for their prayer lives hypocrites? Why aren't they setting a good example of devotion for others to follow?
How have hypocrites received their reward in full? What does Jesus mean?
According to the example Jesus gave, what attitude ought you have toward God?
What are some specific clues from the text that imply this attitude?
Why should you pray for God's will to be done on earth if God is all powerful and always in control?
What is the connection between forgiveness and spiritual maturity?
If God know what you need before you ask it, then why should you pray? What's the biggest hurdle that keeps you from a stronger prayer life?
With your group make a list of five or more ways any of you can serve other people through prayer.
This week and beyond how can you pray for those in your small group?
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Sunday, January 20th
HANGING OUT WITH GOD
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
"Martha, Martha", the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Luke 10: 38-42
Jesus Christ is not physically hanging out on the couch in our living room. One way we take our faith seriously and grow to be like Jesus is participating in devotions; aka alone time, quiet time, devos, hang'in out with God. Every Christian struggles on some level with devotional time. It's a difficult habit to learn and to maintain. In the beginning, the rewards can't always be seen so we have a hard time realizing its true value. Over time we become distracted, forgetting just how valuable time with the Creator is.
What's your favorite thing to do with your best friend? What do you typically do when you're hanging out together?
What in your daily routine gets in the way of participating in a regular devotion time?
How might I be able to help myself or a friend develop a regular habit of spending time with God (without sounding preachy)?
From the scripture reading, why wasn't Martha commended for being a good servant? She was working hard to prepare the house and a meal for Jesus and his twelve disciples.
What compelled Mary to sit and listen to Jesus?
If hanging with Jesus and doing housework are both good things in their proper times, how do you know when is the right time to do each one?
What was Martha's biggest problem, according to Jesus? Do you struggle with these issues yourself?
What's easier for you- doing ministry or spending personal time with God? Which is more important?
Pair up and discuss some of the following:
Describe the quality of your daily devotional times with God.
Share about something you've recently learned during your alone times.
Recite the memory verse you learned from the last meeting.
Share about one new idea you learned during this small group lesson.
Ask for accountability for your alone times this week. What will accountability look like?
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
"Martha, Martha", the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Luke 10: 38-42
Jesus Christ is not physically hanging out on the couch in our living room. One way we take our faith seriously and grow to be like Jesus is participating in devotions; aka alone time, quiet time, devos, hang'in out with God. Every Christian struggles on some level with devotional time. It's a difficult habit to learn and to maintain. In the beginning, the rewards can't always be seen so we have a hard time realizing its true value. Over time we become distracted, forgetting just how valuable time with the Creator is.
What's your favorite thing to do with your best friend? What do you typically do when you're hanging out together?
What in your daily routine gets in the way of participating in a regular devotion time?
How might I be able to help myself or a friend develop a regular habit of spending time with God (without sounding preachy)?
From the scripture reading, why wasn't Martha commended for being a good servant? She was working hard to prepare the house and a meal for Jesus and his twelve disciples.
What compelled Mary to sit and listen to Jesus?
If hanging with Jesus and doing housework are both good things in their proper times, how do you know when is the right time to do each one?
What was Martha's biggest problem, according to Jesus? Do you struggle with these issues yourself?
What's easier for you- doing ministry or spending personal time with God? Which is more important?
Pair up and discuss some of the following:
Describe the quality of your daily devotional times with God.
Share about something you've recently learned during your alone times.
Recite the memory verse you learned from the last meeting.
Share about one new idea you learned during this small group lesson.
Ask for accountability for your alone times this week. What will accountability look like?
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
January 13, 2008
THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
What do you think of when you think of the Holy Spirit? Friend? Guide? Energy Source? The role of the Holy Spirit is to guide, lead, and empower you to live the Christian life. He prompts you and influences you to do things I would never think to do on your own. Your role is to listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and follow His lead.
Has there ever been a time when you've been aware of the Holy Spirit's presence? If so, describe your experience. Share what you know about the Holy Spirit's role in the lives of believers.
Here are some word pictures of the Holy Spirit:
Like a wind blowing among us (John 3:8)
Like fire...(Acts 2:1-4
He gushes up from within a believer like a spring of water (John 7:37-39)
He is pure and sacred (1 Corinthians 3:16)
Wind, water, fire- all images of something powerful, uncontrollable, and beautiful. When we put our faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit takes up residence within us. He promises to change our character, produce fruit in our life, and give us new strength when we rely on him.
Scripture Galatians 5:16-25 (please look it up and read)
How is a list of do's and don'ts helpful for living by the Spirit?
When you consider your life, do you face the kind of conflict described in this passage? If so, what is your conflict like? If not, why do you think you're not experiencing the tension between the two forces?
What do you think the last sentence is verse 21 means? Look closely at the text. What's the difference between sometimes doing these things and habitually doing these things?
What are one or two fruit's of the Spirit with which you best identify?
How can you live by the Holy Spirit as the last verse urges us to do? How would you follow the Holy Spirit's leading?
God wants everyone to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4), so when we keep in step with the Holy Spirit, eventually he'll give us opportunities to share our faith with others. Describe the last time you felt the Holy Spirit leading you (prompting) to have a spiritual conversation with an unbeliever. What happened? Did you take the opportunity or pass it up?
Our lives are a continual struggle between living by the Spirit and living according to our old nature. "Your choices are never free from this conflict." Galatians 5:17 As long as we have the desire to live God's way while we're in this imperfect world, we're going to face difficult battles. Living according to the Holy Spirit isn't simply a matter of the will, of strengthening our resolve. We can't just choose to live a perfect life on our own. A spiritual force is at work in us- our old nature. But we can defeat it along with its unhealthy passions and desires. We have the hope of salvation and the help of the Holy Spirit!
What do you think of when you think of the Holy Spirit? Friend? Guide? Energy Source? The role of the Holy Spirit is to guide, lead, and empower you to live the Christian life. He prompts you and influences you to do things I would never think to do on your own. Your role is to listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and follow His lead.
Has there ever been a time when you've been aware of the Holy Spirit's presence? If so, describe your experience. Share what you know about the Holy Spirit's role in the lives of believers.
Here are some word pictures of the Holy Spirit:
Like a wind blowing among us (John 3:8)
Like fire...(Acts 2:1-4
He gushes up from within a believer like a spring of water (John 7:37-39)
He is pure and sacred (1 Corinthians 3:16)
Wind, water, fire- all images of something powerful, uncontrollable, and beautiful. When we put our faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit takes up residence within us. He promises to change our character, produce fruit in our life, and give us new strength when we rely on him.
Scripture Galatians 5:16-25 (please look it up and read)
How is a list of do's and don'ts helpful for living by the Spirit?
When you consider your life, do you face the kind of conflict described in this passage? If so, what is your conflict like? If not, why do you think you're not experiencing the tension between the two forces?
What do you think the last sentence is verse 21 means? Look closely at the text. What's the difference between sometimes doing these things and habitually doing these things?
What are one or two fruit's of the Spirit with which you best identify?
How can you live by the Holy Spirit as the last verse urges us to do? How would you follow the Holy Spirit's leading?
God wants everyone to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4), so when we keep in step with the Holy Spirit, eventually he'll give us opportunities to share our faith with others. Describe the last time you felt the Holy Spirit leading you (prompting) to have a spiritual conversation with an unbeliever. What happened? Did you take the opportunity or pass it up?
Our lives are a continual struggle between living by the Spirit and living according to our old nature. "Your choices are never free from this conflict." Galatians 5:17 As long as we have the desire to live God's way while we're in this imperfect world, we're going to face difficult battles. Living according to the Holy Spirit isn't simply a matter of the will, of strengthening our resolve. We can't just choose to live a perfect life on our own. A spiritual force is at work in us- our old nature. But we can defeat it along with its unhealthy passions and desires. We have the hope of salvation and the help of the Holy Spirit!
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