I want to tell you 3 different stories:
Tim and Angela
Freddie and his dad
Tea and her mom
Tim and Angela knew eachother since 3rd grade. They used to play paintball together. Angela even taught Tim how to ride his skateboard. Now they were in highschool and for some reason things were different. Angela didn’t want to go and play paintball anymore. Her skateboard was collecting dust in the garage. Instead, Angela found herself wanting to hang out with a couple of other friends. They would go shopping and have sleepovers. Tim was upset. What happened to his friend? In anger, Tim walked up to Angela in front of her new friends and began to make rude comments about her weight and then he mumbled something about how she was no longer worthy to be his friend.
Freddie was on the wrestling team at school. It was his first year. He thought he would try it out. He was a little bit awkward on his feet, and he hadn’t really mastered any of the moves. It was his first wrestling meet, and he was understandably nervous. He was excited that his dad was going to be there. Seeing his dad in the stands helped his nerves settle down a little bit. Then it happened. He was pinned in 5 seconds. He didn’t right and ended up with a broken wrist. Wrestling was over before it had begun. Freddie’s dad waited for him in the emergency room. Freddie came out with his cast on and they walked to the car. When they were in the car, the unexpected happened. His dad slammed his door shut and glared at Freddie. Then he began to tell him, “I can’t believe I wasted $200 on you to let you wrestle this year. I should have known you wouldn’t be able to do it. Not only that, I just wasted my night in the emergency room. I had yard work that needed to get done. Freddie tried to speak. His Dad said, “I’m not interested. Don’t talk. You’ll probably just whine about your arm. I can’t believe that you are my son.”
Tea’s mom was the best cook in the world. 4 weeks ago, she had made some bread in their breadmaker. Mom’s homemade bread was the best. Unfortunately, her mom wasn’t the cleanest person in the world. The bread from 4 weeks ago was still in the fridge. Tea opened the fridge, and saw the bread. At first she was so excited. She pulled it out and unwrapped it. Then she saw the green and gray clumps that were forming on the crust. She looked at the bread, and knew that she had to make a decision. Would she eat it or throw in away…? TO BE CONTINUED
READ – James 3:2-5,7-12
How many of you have ever played horse before (with your dad or older brother).
How strong is a horse?
Strong enough to pull a wagon.
Strong enough to carry a man for miles.
How tall is a horse?
How many of you have ever ridden a horse before? How do tell the horse which direction to go.
I was afraid of horses for a while. When I was in 3rd or 4th grade, my brother and I got on a horse together. He sat in the saddle, and I sat on top of the horses butt. The wrangler began to walk us around in a circle. My brother got caught up in the moment. He yelled at the top of his lungs, “YeeHaw”. The horse reared up on its hind legs, and I fell off the back. The horse had been startled. I was laying on the ground while the horse’s hoofs were moving out of control. The horse hoof came down on the inside of my thigh ripping my pants and cutting my leg.
Do you know what the wrangler did through all of this? He stayed clear of the horse, but he had hand on something. It was the reigns. He pulled down on the reigns and slowly calmed the horse down until the horse was under his control.
What is the most powerful part of a ship? The rudder. It’s a very small piece of wood or metal compared to the rest of the ship, but it is able to change the direction of the ship. The same is true of your car. A car is very heavy, and the steering wheel is not, but I can make my car turn any way I want with very little effort.
James uses analogies like this to get a very specific point across. The tongue (what you say) is the most deadly instrument known to man. Not because it is wet, and no one likes to be spit on. But because it speaks. Words have the ability to lift up and to tear down. You have the ability to tear people down simply by saying something to them.
The last question that was in your group was how do you know what you should say to someone? James chapter 1 says, “that if any of you lacks wisdom; let him ask of God”
James 3:16-18:
What is at the heart of what you want to say? Are you going to say something hurtful to someone, because you were hurt? Why? What is your motive? What is your reason? Are you mad at your friend, because they are having more fun than you? Are you going to cut them down because of it, and tell that they obviously don’t care about you? Why? What is your motive? What is your reason?
If your motive is jealousy or selfish in anyway, then don’t say it. Maybe what you have to say is necessary. Why? What are you hoping to accomplish? If it is this….(verse 17), then say it, but say it in peace…(verse 18).
Bambi and Thumper… “if you can’t say something nice; don’t say nothing at all”
This is so important here at the Grip. Don’t be a jerk. The reason people cut others down, is typically because of some kind of insecurity that they have. They have to try and lift themselves up at the expense of others. Who wants to be in a place where people are always cutting them down? I sure don’t.
The Grip is a place where you can be. It’s not a place to come and be judged by others, and it’s not a place to come and judge others. That’s not what we’re about.
Getting control of what you say starts with a relationship with Jesus Christ. Then it takes submitting to His leadership in your life. He wants to help you have a good life, but you have to be willing to allow Him to lead you into that life.
The Word of God, the Bible is profitable for teaching and for instruction in righteousness. God has laid out good things for you to do for others and for Him, but you have to be willing ask Him for help.
If you don’t have a relationship with Christ, then I’ll tell you that you have to start it.
If you do have a relationship with Christ, then I’ll tell you that you have to get serious about it. Without His leadership in your life, your life will never be the life that it could be.
We are all on a Spiritual Journey, because we were created in God’s image. We have to take steps on that Journey….
---------------------------------------------------------
Breakout Session Guide B.S.L. stands for Breakout Session Leader -
What’s the nicest thing that anyone has ever said to you? How did it make you feel?
BSL – Give the teens permission to ‘brag’. Be sure to follow up their comments with
affirmation or encouragement supporting what was said about them. Demonstrate what
it means to be genuinely ‘nice’ to someone.
What’s the meanest thing that anyone has ever said to you (no profanity)? How did it make you feel?
BSL – This is an opportunity to share something from your own personal life. Be willing
to be vulnerable, and talk about your real feelings. Another question to ask the group
after someone has shared is, “How does it make you feel to hear that?”
Do you think that the things we say to people and the way we say them matter? Why or why not?
BSL – Reference some of the stories that are shared in question 2
How do you know what to say to someone so that you don’t hurt them?
BSL – KEY WORDS (MOTIVE & OBJECTIVE)
James 3:16-18 For where jealousy and selfishness exist, there is disorder and
every evil thing…But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle,
reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed
whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Showing posts with label Teen Talks - Book Study (James). Show all posts
Showing posts with label Teen Talks - Book Study (James). Show all posts
Saturday, March 3, 2007
James (part 2) - With Prejudice
At what age should a child stop whining?
Did any groups come up with a definition of the word, Mature?
What are some of the different labels that are placed on people in your school?
What’s downtown Chicago like? What kind of people are in downtown Chicago?
Don’t answer this out loud. I want to you to think about the question, and answer it to yourself.
Is there anyone in your school who you intentionally do not talk to or avoid, because of what other people might think about you for talking to that person?
Is there anyone here at The Grip who you intentionally do not talk to or avoid, because of what other people might think about you for talking to that person?
Let me tell you what the cop out part to that question is – “Because of what other people might think”. Usually, it’s not about what other people might think. It’s about what you think.
This past week, I was in Orlando, Florida on a business trip. I was walking to my hotel on Monday night, and I saw a man sitting outside the hotel. I said to myself, practically out loud, “You’ve got to be kidding me. I don’t have time for this”. I thought that he was a homeless man sitting by the hotel waiting for me to pass so that he could ask me for some money. I got up to him, and then I realized that he was just sitting on the pavement, because he was tired of standing and probably just waiting for a ride. I felt like a real jerk, not because I mistook the man for a homeless man, but because of my attitude towards him when I thought that he was homeless.
Saira and I used to live in Chicago, and there was a man named Ed who stood on the Expressway exit asking for money from the cars that drove by. So how do I know that his name is Ed? I asked him one day. I shook his rough, extremely dirty and calloused hand. I’ve given pizza, pasta, money, soup, canned fruit…. I was walking down Michigan Ave. on my way to a business exposition, and there was a homeless man sitting on the sidewalk mumbling something to me. I have no idea what he said, but I walked over to him and asked him to repeat himself so that I could answer him. I took time out of my life to talk to him. I took another homeless man to McDonalds one night. A few weeks later, I gave him a ride to the place that he was staying. His name was Larry. I knew him. I even told him about Jesus, and he made a commitment of faith. He was a Christian, and I played a part in it. I’ve preached at the Pacific Garden Mission, a homeless shelter. I’ve shaken their hands. I’ve allowed them to get close to me. I’ve prayed with them. I’ve listened to their stories.
So why not the man outside the hotel? It was just one man. All I had to do was go upstairs and go to bed. Why couldn’t I stop and say, “Hi”. Why couldn’t I ask him if he was hungry?
I spoke to a woman in O’Hare. I spoke to the people who were on the plane with me. So why not him?
The answer is very simple: In that moment, I thought that I was better than him. He didn’t deserve my time. My time was too valuable for him. I felt ashamed of myself for feeling that way.
This is what the Bible says: James 2:1-4,8-9,14-17
We are told in James 1:22 to be doers. We are told to put into action what the Bible tells us. Faith without action is dead and powerless.
Here at The Grip, we desire to have an environment of acceptance. This is not a place to come and be judged by others. It is not a place to come and judge others. Every single one of us have prejudices. I hang out with this group, Because_____. I don’t hang with this group, Because_______.
It is important that when someone new comes here that they feel welcomed. They need to feel like they belong.
Jesus calls us to live out our faith. He calls us to live out what we believe. If you are here and know for sure that you have a relationship with Christ, then #1) That’s awesome. #2) The Grip is not about you. The Grip is about you living out your faith in your community. Ephesians 4:1 says, “Live a life worthy of the calling with which you have been called”. Jesus loves you and wants what is best for your life. He came that you might have life, and that you would have it abundantly (a good life). The best life is a life that is lived out according to God’s purpose for your life. His purpose for your life is this – It’s not about you, It’s about Him. It’s about taking the risk, when you feel uncomfortable talking to someone you don’t know. It’s about abandoning childish fears and the teenage acceptance grid so that someone else might have a chance to know God. If you are here and you can’t say for sure that you have a relationship with Christ, then The Grip is all about you. It’s about getting your questions answered. It’s about building relationships with people who have a relationship with Christ. It’s about you meeting Christ, and falling in love with Him. That is what The Grip is about. If that’s not what this is about, then we should just close out doors, because we aren’t doing what we were called here to do. There are plenty of teen clubs and parties that will be happy to make someone feel welcome so that they can make money and have fun. But in the end, that’s all it is.
We have to grow. We can’t stop growing.
My Journey is My Journey
Who makes the decisions on your journey?
Make the right ones.
-------------------------------------------------------
Breakout Session Guide B.S.L. stands for Breakout Session Leader -
What are you going to do when it gets warm outside?
BSL – This is simply an ice-breaker question (feel free to use another one)
What does it mean to be mature?
BSL – One idea here is to actually have the group build a definition of the word
What are some things that you expect be different about your life in 10 years?
BSL – Keep this question about them personally (behaviors, activities, attitudes)
Why is it important to continue to grow up?
BSL – Some basic reasons (You probably won’t be able to hold down a job, because of
the lack of responsibility; You will find yourself to be lonely, because most adults find
other childish adults to be annoying and don’t care to spend time with them)
Give an example of an adult you know who decided to never grow up. What are they like?
BSL – This is one of those questions that you never really know how it will turn out…
Use your judgment. Don’t allow them to use peoples names.
Did any groups come up with a definition of the word, Mature?
What are some of the different labels that are placed on people in your school?
What’s downtown Chicago like? What kind of people are in downtown Chicago?
Don’t answer this out loud. I want to you to think about the question, and answer it to yourself.
Is there anyone in your school who you intentionally do not talk to or avoid, because of what other people might think about you for talking to that person?
Is there anyone here at The Grip who you intentionally do not talk to or avoid, because of what other people might think about you for talking to that person?
Let me tell you what the cop out part to that question is – “Because of what other people might think”. Usually, it’s not about what other people might think. It’s about what you think.
This past week, I was in Orlando, Florida on a business trip. I was walking to my hotel on Monday night, and I saw a man sitting outside the hotel. I said to myself, practically out loud, “You’ve got to be kidding me. I don’t have time for this”. I thought that he was a homeless man sitting by the hotel waiting for me to pass so that he could ask me for some money. I got up to him, and then I realized that he was just sitting on the pavement, because he was tired of standing and probably just waiting for a ride. I felt like a real jerk, not because I mistook the man for a homeless man, but because of my attitude towards him when I thought that he was homeless.
Saira and I used to live in Chicago, and there was a man named Ed who stood on the Expressway exit asking for money from the cars that drove by. So how do I know that his name is Ed? I asked him one day. I shook his rough, extremely dirty and calloused hand. I’ve given pizza, pasta, money, soup, canned fruit…. I was walking down Michigan Ave. on my way to a business exposition, and there was a homeless man sitting on the sidewalk mumbling something to me. I have no idea what he said, but I walked over to him and asked him to repeat himself so that I could answer him. I took time out of my life to talk to him. I took another homeless man to McDonalds one night. A few weeks later, I gave him a ride to the place that he was staying. His name was Larry. I knew him. I even told him about Jesus, and he made a commitment of faith. He was a Christian, and I played a part in it. I’ve preached at the Pacific Garden Mission, a homeless shelter. I’ve shaken their hands. I’ve allowed them to get close to me. I’ve prayed with them. I’ve listened to their stories.
So why not the man outside the hotel? It was just one man. All I had to do was go upstairs and go to bed. Why couldn’t I stop and say, “Hi”. Why couldn’t I ask him if he was hungry?
I spoke to a woman in O’Hare. I spoke to the people who were on the plane with me. So why not him?
The answer is very simple: In that moment, I thought that I was better than him. He didn’t deserve my time. My time was too valuable for him. I felt ashamed of myself for feeling that way.
This is what the Bible says: James 2:1-4,8-9,14-17
We are told in James 1:22 to be doers. We are told to put into action what the Bible tells us. Faith without action is dead and powerless.
Here at The Grip, we desire to have an environment of acceptance. This is not a place to come and be judged by others. It is not a place to come and judge others. Every single one of us have prejudices. I hang out with this group, Because_____. I don’t hang with this group, Because_______.
It is important that when someone new comes here that they feel welcomed. They need to feel like they belong.
Jesus calls us to live out our faith. He calls us to live out what we believe. If you are here and know for sure that you have a relationship with Christ, then #1) That’s awesome. #2) The Grip is not about you. The Grip is about you living out your faith in your community. Ephesians 4:1 says, “Live a life worthy of the calling with which you have been called”. Jesus loves you and wants what is best for your life. He came that you might have life, and that you would have it abundantly (a good life). The best life is a life that is lived out according to God’s purpose for your life. His purpose for your life is this – It’s not about you, It’s about Him. It’s about taking the risk, when you feel uncomfortable talking to someone you don’t know. It’s about abandoning childish fears and the teenage acceptance grid so that someone else might have a chance to know God. If you are here and you can’t say for sure that you have a relationship with Christ, then The Grip is all about you. It’s about getting your questions answered. It’s about building relationships with people who have a relationship with Christ. It’s about you meeting Christ, and falling in love with Him. That is what The Grip is about. If that’s not what this is about, then we should just close out doors, because we aren’t doing what we were called here to do. There are plenty of teen clubs and parties that will be happy to make someone feel welcome so that they can make money and have fun. But in the end, that’s all it is.
We have to grow. We can’t stop growing.
My Journey is My Journey
Who makes the decisions on your journey?
Make the right ones.
-------------------------------------------------------
Breakout Session Guide B.S.L. stands for Breakout Session Leader -
What are you going to do when it gets warm outside?
BSL – This is simply an ice-breaker question (feel free to use another one)
What does it mean to be mature?
BSL – One idea here is to actually have the group build a definition of the word
What are some things that you expect be different about your life in 10 years?
BSL – Keep this question about them personally (behaviors, activities, attitudes)
Why is it important to continue to grow up?
BSL – Some basic reasons (You probably won’t be able to hold down a job, because of
the lack of responsibility; You will find yourself to be lonely, because most adults find
other childish adults to be annoying and don’t care to spend time with them)
Give an example of an adult you know who decided to never grow up. What are they like?
BSL – This is one of those questions that you never really know how it will turn out…
Use your judgment. Don’t allow them to use peoples names.
James (part 1) - Have You Trials or Temptations
Bill and Joe were walking down the street and Bill saw a wallet barely hanging onto the drain cover. He grabbed it, and both he and Joe were amazed at what was inside. There were 5 one-hundred-dollar bills and 10 fifty-dollar bills. How much money is that?
Bill knew immediately how much that was. It was a lot.
Joe: What are you going to do with that wallet?
Bill: Nothing. I don’t care about the wallet. I care about what’s inside the wallet.
Joe: What are you talking about Bill? You know that you can’t keep that money. It belongs to somebody else.
Bill: Yeah, right. Somebody else who should have been a little bit more careful with their stuff. Finders keepers….
Joe: I’m outta here. I’m not going to have anything to do with this. (EXIT)
Bill: See ya. (EXIT the other direction)
Deep inside, Bill knew that what he was about to do was wrong, but man that was a lot of money...
James 1:13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be
tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone…
Life is about growth. It’s about growing up and becoming mature. I want to read a few verses in the book of James that talks about this:
James 1:1-8,12-17
About the book of James –
How many of you have a friend who will tell it like it is. If you are wrong, they will let you know. If you have hurt them or someone else, they will tell you?
James is that type of a person, and that’s what his book is like. He doesn’t really mix words or beat around the bush. He takes the basic elements of faith and shows you what it looks like played out in life.
He makes it very clear in the first few verses that if you are going through a trial or a difficult time, then you need to reach out to God for wisdom. Then he says, if you are going to ask, then ask and trust. Don’t ask and then cower in the corner just hoping that maybe God might answer your prayer.
TEMPTATION:
Did your mom ever bake cookies, and tell you not to eat any? You smell those cookies, and you want one. You’re even a little angry with your mom. As if she baked those cookies just to tempt you!
Some people feel the same way about God. They want something they know is wrong, and they wonder why God is tempting them. But God doesn’t tempt anyone! Their own evil desires makes them want what is wrong. Like the cookies. If that were spinach would you want any?
When you’re tempted, it’s because something inside you likes to do the wrong thing you know you shouldn’t do. The problem is in you, not in the thing you want to do.
----------------------------------------------------
Breakout Session Guide B.S.L. stands for Breakout Session Leader -
What would you do if you were in Bill and Joe’s situation? Have you ever been in a situation like that? What did you do?
BSL – Just ask and let them answer. This isn’t necessarily a right vs. wrong discussion,
but feel free to have some dialog around it.
What does it mean to be tempted?
BSL – This is a general question. Allow the youth to answer the question. Encourage
them to say it in their own words (not churchy).
Experiencing the desire to do something that you know would be an unwise decision.
What are some things that tempt you?
BSL – Some examples: food, doing something (dumb, mean, foolish) so that someone
will like me, sex, cheating on the test, skipping school to go do fill in the blank?, stealing,
lying to parents or friends to cover up some thing (even little white lies)
What do you do about things that tempt you?
BSL – They may need a little bit of help with this one. Some examples: pray about them.
Get away from them. Jesus used scripture in the wilderness. Give in to it. Ask for help.
Where does temptation come from?
BSL – Some examples: my friends, TV (media), parents, Satan, myself
James 1:13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be
tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone…
Bill knew immediately how much that was. It was a lot.
Joe: What are you going to do with that wallet?
Bill: Nothing. I don’t care about the wallet. I care about what’s inside the wallet.
Joe: What are you talking about Bill? You know that you can’t keep that money. It belongs to somebody else.
Bill: Yeah, right. Somebody else who should have been a little bit more careful with their stuff. Finders keepers….
Joe: I’m outta here. I’m not going to have anything to do with this. (EXIT)
Bill: See ya. (EXIT the other direction)
Deep inside, Bill knew that what he was about to do was wrong, but man that was a lot of money...
James 1:13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be
tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone…
Life is about growth. It’s about growing up and becoming mature. I want to read a few verses in the book of James that talks about this:
James 1:1-8,12-17
About the book of James –
How many of you have a friend who will tell it like it is. If you are wrong, they will let you know. If you have hurt them or someone else, they will tell you?
James is that type of a person, and that’s what his book is like. He doesn’t really mix words or beat around the bush. He takes the basic elements of faith and shows you what it looks like played out in life.
He makes it very clear in the first few verses that if you are going through a trial or a difficult time, then you need to reach out to God for wisdom. Then he says, if you are going to ask, then ask and trust. Don’t ask and then cower in the corner just hoping that maybe God might answer your prayer.
TEMPTATION:
Did your mom ever bake cookies, and tell you not to eat any? You smell those cookies, and you want one. You’re even a little angry with your mom. As if she baked those cookies just to tempt you!
Some people feel the same way about God. They want something they know is wrong, and they wonder why God is tempting them. But God doesn’t tempt anyone! Their own evil desires makes them want what is wrong. Like the cookies. If that were spinach would you want any?
When you’re tempted, it’s because something inside you likes to do the wrong thing you know you shouldn’t do. The problem is in you, not in the thing you want to do.
----------------------------------------------------
Breakout Session Guide B.S.L. stands for Breakout Session Leader -
What would you do if you were in Bill and Joe’s situation? Have you ever been in a situation like that? What did you do?
BSL – Just ask and let them answer. This isn’t necessarily a right vs. wrong discussion,
but feel free to have some dialog around it.
What does it mean to be tempted?
BSL – This is a general question. Allow the youth to answer the question. Encourage
them to say it in their own words (not churchy).
Experiencing the desire to do something that you know would be an unwise decision.
What are some things that tempt you?
BSL – Some examples: food, doing something (dumb, mean, foolish) so that someone
will like me, sex, cheating on the test, skipping school to go do fill in the blank?, stealing,
lying to parents or friends to cover up some thing (even little white lies)
What do you do about things that tempt you?
BSL – They may need a little bit of help with this one. Some examples: pray about them.
Get away from them. Jesus used scripture in the wilderness. Give in to it. Ask for help.
Where does temptation come from?
BSL – Some examples: my friends, TV (media), parents, Satan, myself
James 1:13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be
tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone…
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