.:Maximum Freedom is found under God’s Authority:.
Freedom is a big deal. Everyone thinks that they have some idea about what Freedom is all about. Some believe that Anarchy is the only true freedom. Spend some time over in Amsterdam’s red light district. It’s a place where anything goes. It’s a place that is full of open prostitution and drug use. Most people don’t want to live that way. People from all over the world want to come to the United States because of the freedom that we have. What does that mean? We do have a government. We have a large police force.
I pull a knife out and walk over to _____________ and stab you right in the heart. What will happen to you? You will die. What happened to your freedom? The boundary to your freedom was a choice that I made. That must mean that in a place that you thought you were completely free, you really weren’t. Just the fact there are no rules is a problem, because that in itself is a rule. It is impossible to live in a world without rules, because there will always be rules.
Freedom is a huge thing. It is an ideal that men strive for. Most stories of heroes have something to do with someone wanting freedom from something.
Boston Tea Party, Revolutionary War, Civil War, Operation: Desert Storm, Operation: Iraqi Freedom
When you become a senior you will probably go on a senior trip, either with a small group of friends, or with your class. A lot of teens go on these senior trips and experience things that they regret for the next several years of their lives. They are free. They are in Cancun or Myrtle Beach or Jamaica or Miami Beach. There is no one looking over their shoulder telling what they can and can’t do. They want to live life to it’s fullest. So they get stupid. They do things that they regret. They destroy relationships. Some teens that have made a commitment to be sexually pure end up giving it all away to someone. I mean isn’t that what it’s all about. Isn’t that fun? Getting drunk and passing out. Throwing up. All because they are now free.
Freedom is not the absence of rules. It isn’t doing whatever pleases me the most. Rules will always be there. But freedom is knowing what rules to follow. Our pledge of allegiance has the phrase “UNDER GOD” in it. Those two words are the key to finding freedom. Maximum freedom is found under God’s authority.
Romans 13:1-2
1. Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
2. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
This verse is pretty straight-forward.
Who must submit to authority? Everyone
Why must everyone submit to authority? Because God established it.
Who is God? What is your view of God? What place does God have in your life?
The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Stop me if you’ve heard this -
In the beginning, GOD created the heavens and the earth.
God was here first…… not you and not me
Every sentence has a noun and a verb. In Genesis chapter 1, every sentence has a noun and a verb. The noun in every sentence is the same. (Read it)
Job 40 and 41 (probably one of the most powerful expressions of who God is)
Job’s response in Job 42: 1-6
How many of you have a problem with you mom or dad giving you the answer, “Because I said so…”? Why is that?
Isaiah 6:1-5
The prophet Isaiah had a vision of the awesomeness of who God is, and he describes it.
Let me make a counter-cultural statement
We don’t submit to our parents authority, and we don’t submit to the legal authorities, because we don’t have a proper understanding of our place. We don’t understand where we fit. Every part of us is wanting to create our own boundaries instead of living inside boundaries that are already created. In short we have a desire to be the ultimate authority of our own lives. I make the rules. The problem is that there is only one ultimate authority, and that is God.
Who is God, that I should listen and obey? The Bible tells us that God is love. God is the friend that sticks closer than a brother. God is fair. It also very clearly tells us that God is the Ultimate Authority (The Stone was rolled away)
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Breakout Session Guide -
Is “Because I said so” ever an adequate reason for obedience? Why or Why not?
Have your parents ever asked you to do something that you didn’t do on purpose? What was it and why didn’t you do it?
Name five authority figures (or 5 relationships that you have – my parent; my coach; my teacher; my probation officer; etc…) who you have deliberately disobeyed at any time in your life. (Name more if you can)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What would cause you to make the decision to not obey the instructions of an authority figure? (Is there something that you are expecting from them before you will obey them? Are you just stubborn?)
Sunday, March 4, 2007
7 Checkpoints: Ultimate Authority - Ultimate Freedom
Trudy was a good girl. She usually did what her mom said, but today was different. She was 16 years old today. Today she would get her driver’s license. She would experience freedom like she never had before. Trudy’s mom was a little bit on the strict side. Trudy didn’t think her mom would ever let her grow up. There was so much that she wanted to experience. She just felt like her mom was holding her back. Anyway, there was this guy at school named, Tom. Tom was really popular. He had an edge about him. There was something dangerous about Tom that was attractive to Trudy. Tom had something that Trudy desperately wanted. Tom had freedom, at least that what Trudy thought. Friday night was the big party at Tom’s house and Trudy was invited. She knew that her mom would never go for it. Her mom had heard about teenage parties. She would say that they were nothing more than a bunch of doped up and drunk teens having sex. Friday night came and Trudy really wanted to go to the party so she decided to lie to her mom and tell her that she was going over to her friend Cindy’s house and that she would be out late. Her mom agreed to let her go.
Trudy drove over to Tom’s house. A couple of her friends were already there. She wanted to experience what it meant to be free. She saw the cooler of beer in the corner, popped one open and began to drink. She was standing next to the cooler when Tom walked up to get a beer. Their eyes met, and Tom began to talk to her. She couldn’t believe it. Tom was actually talking to her. They both downed a couple more beers. She was really experiencing freedom now. Half way through the party Tom had managed to corner her in the bathroom, and then tried to take advantage of her. Luckily, her friend, Rachel, had seen Tom follow her in, and was able to stop him. When Tom left, Trudy was on the floor in the corner of the bathroom crying. She couldn’t believe what had happened. Is this what freedom felt like? If this was freedom, then it was definitely overrated. Rachel took her home. When Trudy got home, she saw her mom and told her everything that had happened. They both cried. Trudy cried because of the experience, and her mom cried because she never wanted Trudy to have to experience something like that.
Freedom is a big deal. Everyone thinks that they have some idea about what Freedom is all about. Some believe that Anarchy is the only true freedom. Spend some time over in Amsterdam’s red light district. It’s a place where anything goes. It’s a place that is full of open prostitution and drug use. Most people don’t want to live that way. People from all over the world want to come to the United States because of the freedom that we have. What does that mean? We do have a government. We have a large police force.
Everyone is always following something or someone. If you aren’t following someone (parents, teachers, law enforcement, friends), then you are following some idea, and that idea holds you captive. People’s idea of complete freedom is interesting, because whatever they are going for is defined. You would think that true freedom is completely undefined. I can do whatever I want. There will always be boundaries. Let’s pretend that there are absolutely no rules whatsoever. I pull a knife out and walk over to _____________ and stab you right in the heart. What will happen to you? You will die. What happened to your freedom? The boundary to your freedom was a choice that I made. That must mean that in a place that you thought you were completely free, you really weren’t. Just the fact there are no rules is a problem, because that in itself is a rule. It is impossible to live in a world without rules, because there will always be rules.
How many of you have seen the movie Braveheart? Braveheart is the story of a Scottish man named William Wallace. During his time, the English ruled the Scottish. The English would come in on the day of a wedding and would rape the bride so that she would hopefully become pregnant with an English baby and they would in turn ‘breed’ the Scottish out. The Scottish lived in fear of the English. William Wallace stepped up and began to lead the Scottish to victories over the English. Eventually he was captured and was to be tortured to death by tying his intestines to a horse and having the horse pull them out. What was his last word? FREEDOM!!!!
Eventually, the Scottish won their freedom from the English. What do you think the Scottish did? They set up their own government. They made their rules to live by, and set up men to enforce the laws.
Freedom is a huge thing. It is an ideal that men strive for. Most stories of heroes have something to do with someone wanting freedom from something.
Boston Tea Party, Revolutionary War, Civil War, Operation: Desert Storm, Operation: Iraqi Freedom
When you become a senior you will probably go on a senior trip, either with a small group of friends, or with your class. A lot of teens go on these senior trips and experience things that they regret for the next several years of their lives. They are free. They are in Cancun or Myrtle Beach or Jamaica or Miami Beach. There is no one looking over their shoulder telling what they can and can’t do. They want to live life to it’s fullest. So they get stupid. They do things that they regret. They destroy relationships. Some teens that have made a commitment to be sexually pure end up giving it all away to someone. I mean isn’t that what it’s all about. Isn’t that fun? Getting drunk and passing out. Throwing up. All because they are now free.
Freedom is not the absence of rules. It isn’t doing whatever pleases me the most. Rules will always be there. But freedom is knowing what rules to follow. Our pledge of allegiance has the phrase “UNDER GOD” in it. Those two words are the key to finding freedom. Maximum freedom is found under God’s authority.
God designed us. The Bible says that God knew you even before you were born. He knows what is best for our lives. He knows what rules to live by. They are pretty much common sense.
Do to others, as you would have them do to you.
The greatest commandment is ‘Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, and strength.’ The second greatest commandment is like it, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
Honor your father and mother that it may be well with you….
Maximum freedom is found under God’s authority.
Romans 13:1-2
1. Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
2. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
#1 – If you don’t then you will be subject to punishment by the authorities.
#2 - It is a conscience issue. If the government is asking something of you that is contrary to what God asks, then we must follow God rather than men, but be prepared to pay the consequences for that act. (Acts 5:29)
#3 – For Jesus sake (When Jesus returns we want to be found faithful)
God wants us to have the best life possible.
That means that we trust God.
That means that we set up solid moral boundaries.
That means that we learn to see the world the way that God sees it.
That means that we make sure that we have healthy friendships.
That means that we make sure that we are making good choices.
That also means that we listen to and obey the authorities that God has placed in our lives.
------------------------------------------------
Breakout Session Guide -
1) How would you define freedom?
Notes – Hopefully this is pretty straightforward. Then again….=)
2) What keeps you from experiencing freedom in your life?
Notes – This is getting at any rules or restrictions that they have on their lives right now. Some of them don’t drive yet. Maybe they don’t have a job so they can’t get any money (no money = no fun)
3) Have you ever done something that your parents or someone else told you would be a bad idea to do, but you did it anyway? Did you find out that they were right?
Notes – As luck would have it they probably won’t have ever experienced anything like this. At least not they will say, but we’ll ask anyway. Who knows maybe someone will be open about this. Another alternative question might be – Have you ever done anything that you know you would get in trouble for if your parents found out? What types of things could have gone wrong because of what you did? What would happen if your parents found out about it?
Trudy drove over to Tom’s house. A couple of her friends were already there. She wanted to experience what it meant to be free. She saw the cooler of beer in the corner, popped one open and began to drink. She was standing next to the cooler when Tom walked up to get a beer. Their eyes met, and Tom began to talk to her. She couldn’t believe it. Tom was actually talking to her. They both downed a couple more beers. She was really experiencing freedom now. Half way through the party Tom had managed to corner her in the bathroom, and then tried to take advantage of her. Luckily, her friend, Rachel, had seen Tom follow her in, and was able to stop him. When Tom left, Trudy was on the floor in the corner of the bathroom crying. She couldn’t believe what had happened. Is this what freedom felt like? If this was freedom, then it was definitely overrated. Rachel took her home. When Trudy got home, she saw her mom and told her everything that had happened. They both cried. Trudy cried because of the experience, and her mom cried because she never wanted Trudy to have to experience something like that.
Freedom is a big deal. Everyone thinks that they have some idea about what Freedom is all about. Some believe that Anarchy is the only true freedom. Spend some time over in Amsterdam’s red light district. It’s a place where anything goes. It’s a place that is full of open prostitution and drug use. Most people don’t want to live that way. People from all over the world want to come to the United States because of the freedom that we have. What does that mean? We do have a government. We have a large police force.
Everyone is always following something or someone. If you aren’t following someone (parents, teachers, law enforcement, friends), then you are following some idea, and that idea holds you captive. People’s idea of complete freedom is interesting, because whatever they are going for is defined. You would think that true freedom is completely undefined. I can do whatever I want. There will always be boundaries. Let’s pretend that there are absolutely no rules whatsoever. I pull a knife out and walk over to _____________ and stab you right in the heart. What will happen to you? You will die. What happened to your freedom? The boundary to your freedom was a choice that I made. That must mean that in a place that you thought you were completely free, you really weren’t. Just the fact there are no rules is a problem, because that in itself is a rule. It is impossible to live in a world without rules, because there will always be rules.
How many of you have seen the movie Braveheart? Braveheart is the story of a Scottish man named William Wallace. During his time, the English ruled the Scottish. The English would come in on the day of a wedding and would rape the bride so that she would hopefully become pregnant with an English baby and they would in turn ‘breed’ the Scottish out. The Scottish lived in fear of the English. William Wallace stepped up and began to lead the Scottish to victories over the English. Eventually he was captured and was to be tortured to death by tying his intestines to a horse and having the horse pull them out. What was his last word? FREEDOM!!!!
Eventually, the Scottish won their freedom from the English. What do you think the Scottish did? They set up their own government. They made their rules to live by, and set up men to enforce the laws.
Freedom is a huge thing. It is an ideal that men strive for. Most stories of heroes have something to do with someone wanting freedom from something.
Boston Tea Party, Revolutionary War, Civil War, Operation: Desert Storm, Operation: Iraqi Freedom
When you become a senior you will probably go on a senior trip, either with a small group of friends, or with your class. A lot of teens go on these senior trips and experience things that they regret for the next several years of their lives. They are free. They are in Cancun or Myrtle Beach or Jamaica or Miami Beach. There is no one looking over their shoulder telling what they can and can’t do. They want to live life to it’s fullest. So they get stupid. They do things that they regret. They destroy relationships. Some teens that have made a commitment to be sexually pure end up giving it all away to someone. I mean isn’t that what it’s all about. Isn’t that fun? Getting drunk and passing out. Throwing up. All because they are now free.
Freedom is not the absence of rules. It isn’t doing whatever pleases me the most. Rules will always be there. But freedom is knowing what rules to follow. Our pledge of allegiance has the phrase “UNDER GOD” in it. Those two words are the key to finding freedom. Maximum freedom is found under God’s authority.
God designed us. The Bible says that God knew you even before you were born. He knows what is best for our lives. He knows what rules to live by. They are pretty much common sense.
Do to others, as you would have them do to you.
The greatest commandment is ‘Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, and strength.’ The second greatest commandment is like it, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
Honor your father and mother that it may be well with you….
Maximum freedom is found under God’s authority.
Romans 13:1-2
1. Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
2. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
#1 – If you don’t then you will be subject to punishment by the authorities.
#2 - It is a conscience issue. If the government is asking something of you that is contrary to what God asks, then we must follow God rather than men, but be prepared to pay the consequences for that act. (Acts 5:29)
#3 – For Jesus sake (When Jesus returns we want to be found faithful)
God wants us to have the best life possible.
That means that we trust God.
That means that we set up solid moral boundaries.
That means that we learn to see the world the way that God sees it.
That means that we make sure that we have healthy friendships.
That means that we make sure that we are making good choices.
That also means that we listen to and obey the authorities that God has placed in our lives.
------------------------------------------------
Breakout Session Guide -
1) How would you define freedom?
Notes – Hopefully this is pretty straightforward. Then again….=)
2) What keeps you from experiencing freedom in your life?
Notes – This is getting at any rules or restrictions that they have on their lives right now. Some of them don’t drive yet. Maybe they don’t have a job so they can’t get any money (no money = no fun)
3) Have you ever done something that your parents or someone else told you would be a bad idea to do, but you did it anyway? Did you find out that they were right?
Notes – As luck would have it they probably won’t have ever experienced anything like this. At least not they will say, but we’ll ask anyway. Who knows maybe someone will be open about this. Another alternative question might be – Have you ever done anything that you know you would get in trouble for if your parents found out? What types of things could have gone wrong because of what you did? What would happen if your parents found out about it?
7 Checkpoints: Wise Choices - God's Will
Sarah sat on the couch with her Bible in her lap. She randomly opened the Bible and dropped her finger on a word. Sarah was about to graduate from high school, and was really scared about her future. What was next for her? Where would she go to college? Should she go to college? The first question she had to answer was, “What do I want to be when I grow up?” Sarah’s little sister, Heather, walked up and sat down beside her.
H – What are you doing?
S – I’m trying to figure out what I’m supposed to be when I grow up?
H – Do you think that the Bible will tell you that?
S – I was kind of hoping…
H – What about a dentist?
S – The office smells, and people’s mouths are gross.
H – How about a lawyer?
S – They work too much.
H – You know my friend’s mom is an administrative assistant, and I think that she likes her job.
S – I don’t know. Does anyone really ever start out in life saying, “I want to be an administrative assistant or I want to be middle management?” Most jobs are just where people end up, and not really what they really want.
H – Sarah, I really don’t care what you decide to be. I look up to you because you are my big sister. I’m more interested in you, than in what you do with your life.
S – Thanks, Heather. You’re the best sister ever!!!
Heather got off the couch, and went into the kitchen to help her mom get dinner ready. Sarah looked down at her Bible to see what verse she had landed on. Maybe it would answer all of her questions.
S – Isaiah 26:3 You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in You.
Somehow Sarah understood that God would take care of her, and that was enough. She closed her Bible and went into the kitchen for dinner.
First things first –
Your future is out there, and I don’t think that it’s a stretch to say that thinking about the future can be a frightening thing. You make decisions every day. Every decision that you make has the potential to change something about your life or the lives of others. Sometimes that change can be very drastic and sometimes not so much.
A man I work with told me that his son is going to head off to the Navy after he graduates which will be in about a month. I said, “That’s neat, but you’re going to have a very sad mother on your hands.” This is her first son leaving the house, and not only is he leaving, there is very real potential that he could be heading into a life that could be very dangerous and life-threatening. Then he told me that his other son is going to start studying to be a lawyer. I told him that his son should make very very sure that he wants to be a lawyer, because he may not like the life that comes with it. Lawyers work excruciating long hours. Those hours are all very detailed, and to my mind, they are stressful. He’ll have to go to very expensive school for several years. At the end of which, he will have school loans in the 100,000’s that will have to be paid off, and the only way to pay bills like that off is to be a lawyer or a doctor. He’ll be stuck.
My neighbor and I work at the same company. When we see each other outside, one of the first questions that we ask is, “How’s work?” He made an interesting comment to me the other day. He said, “My brother in law is starting the interview process to become a policeman this week. I’m really happy for him, because he has wanted to be a policeman for as long as he can remember. Very few people end up doing what they really want to do. Look at me, I consult clients on their companies insurance plans. Doing this for a living never even crossed my mind growing up. I didn’t even know that a job like this existed, but here I am. At least I’m getting paid.”
We all have dreams and goals. Sometimes they come true, and sometimes they don’t. Life happens. You get married. You need money. You have to work to get money. You find a job, and there you are. You are a carpenter’s apprentice. You are a stockboy at Dominick’s. You are working in a bank. For most people these are not dream jobs, but it’s what they do. Then every once in a while someone gets their dream job.
We spend a lot of time wondering what we’re going to be when we grow up. Usually we are really asking ourselves, “What am I going to DO when I grow up? The question we should really be concerned with is “WHO am I going to be, and what does God want me to do for Him?
God’s will for your life is to be like Him, perfect.
Philippians 1:6
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
God calls everyone who believes in him to be in the ministry.
Mathew 28:18-20
And Jesus came up and spoke to them saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
God calls some to be in the ministry AS their job.
God calls some to be in the ministry AT their job.
Ephesians 4:11&12
And God gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors, and some as teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.
God has chosen to call me to be a pastor, more specifically a youth pastor. I wish I had some magical story about how that happened, but I don’t.
All I know is that when I was graduating from high school, I was on one track, and that was to be a pastor. I sat in my friends car on day after church with her mother, and they asked me where I was going to go to college and what I would major in. I said, “I’m going to Moody Bible Institute in Chicago to be a pastor.” They said, “Really. You’re too spastic to be a pastor. You should be a youth pastor.” So I said, “OK”. So that’s what I did.
Sometimes, I still wake up wondering, “Am I doing what God wants me to do?” I spoke to a woman 2 days ago who confessed to me, “I’m 50 years old, and I still ask the question, What does God want me to do with my life?”
1. Start a relationship with Christ
2. Pray
3. Read your Bible
4. Talk to people about it who can give you good counsel
5. Be alert to what God is doing in your life
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Breakout Session Guide B.S.L. stands for Breakout Session Leader -
1. Spend some time talking about what they want to be when they grow up. Celebrate their decisions with them. Encourage them on towards their goals.
What do you want to be when you grow up? Why?
BSL – Many of our dreams and aspirations are self-centered. They are what we want.
What God wants has never entered out minds. What is going to bring me pleasure in
This life? When our perspective is that true joy and contentment comes with pleasing
God, then we can begin to really answer that question, and trust that we will be happy
With that pursuit.
2. Encourage them further that their focus needs to be on who they will be as opposed to what they will do. What we do is a direct response to who we are. As adults we know that our career paths hardly characterize us as people.
3. If the group is willing, take some time praying for one another and that we will become what God wants us to become.
H – What are you doing?
S – I’m trying to figure out what I’m supposed to be when I grow up?
H – Do you think that the Bible will tell you that?
S – I was kind of hoping…
H – What about a dentist?
S – The office smells, and people’s mouths are gross.
H – How about a lawyer?
S – They work too much.
H – You know my friend’s mom is an administrative assistant, and I think that she likes her job.
S – I don’t know. Does anyone really ever start out in life saying, “I want to be an administrative assistant or I want to be middle management?” Most jobs are just where people end up, and not really what they really want.
H – Sarah, I really don’t care what you decide to be. I look up to you because you are my big sister. I’m more interested in you, than in what you do with your life.
S – Thanks, Heather. You’re the best sister ever!!!
Heather got off the couch, and went into the kitchen to help her mom get dinner ready. Sarah looked down at her Bible to see what verse she had landed on. Maybe it would answer all of her questions.
S – Isaiah 26:3 You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in You.
Somehow Sarah understood that God would take care of her, and that was enough. She closed her Bible and went into the kitchen for dinner.
First things first –
Your future is out there, and I don’t think that it’s a stretch to say that thinking about the future can be a frightening thing. You make decisions every day. Every decision that you make has the potential to change something about your life or the lives of others. Sometimes that change can be very drastic and sometimes not so much.
A man I work with told me that his son is going to head off to the Navy after he graduates which will be in about a month. I said, “That’s neat, but you’re going to have a very sad mother on your hands.” This is her first son leaving the house, and not only is he leaving, there is very real potential that he could be heading into a life that could be very dangerous and life-threatening. Then he told me that his other son is going to start studying to be a lawyer. I told him that his son should make very very sure that he wants to be a lawyer, because he may not like the life that comes with it. Lawyers work excruciating long hours. Those hours are all very detailed, and to my mind, they are stressful. He’ll have to go to very expensive school for several years. At the end of which, he will have school loans in the 100,000’s that will have to be paid off, and the only way to pay bills like that off is to be a lawyer or a doctor. He’ll be stuck.
My neighbor and I work at the same company. When we see each other outside, one of the first questions that we ask is, “How’s work?” He made an interesting comment to me the other day. He said, “My brother in law is starting the interview process to become a policeman this week. I’m really happy for him, because he has wanted to be a policeman for as long as he can remember. Very few people end up doing what they really want to do. Look at me, I consult clients on their companies insurance plans. Doing this for a living never even crossed my mind growing up. I didn’t even know that a job like this existed, but here I am. At least I’m getting paid.”
We all have dreams and goals. Sometimes they come true, and sometimes they don’t. Life happens. You get married. You need money. You have to work to get money. You find a job, and there you are. You are a carpenter’s apprentice. You are a stockboy at Dominick’s. You are working in a bank. For most people these are not dream jobs, but it’s what they do. Then every once in a while someone gets their dream job.
We spend a lot of time wondering what we’re going to be when we grow up. Usually we are really asking ourselves, “What am I going to DO when I grow up? The question we should really be concerned with is “WHO am I going to be, and what does God want me to do for Him?
God’s will for your life is to be like Him, perfect.
Philippians 1:6
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
God calls everyone who believes in him to be in the ministry.
Mathew 28:18-20
And Jesus came up and spoke to them saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
God calls some to be in the ministry AS their job.
God calls some to be in the ministry AT their job.
Ephesians 4:11&12
And God gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors, and some as teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.
God has chosen to call me to be a pastor, more specifically a youth pastor. I wish I had some magical story about how that happened, but I don’t.
All I know is that when I was graduating from high school, I was on one track, and that was to be a pastor. I sat in my friends car on day after church with her mother, and they asked me where I was going to go to college and what I would major in. I said, “I’m going to Moody Bible Institute in Chicago to be a pastor.” They said, “Really. You’re too spastic to be a pastor. You should be a youth pastor.” So I said, “OK”. So that’s what I did.
Sometimes, I still wake up wondering, “Am I doing what God wants me to do?” I spoke to a woman 2 days ago who confessed to me, “I’m 50 years old, and I still ask the question, What does God want me to do with my life?”
1. Start a relationship with Christ
2. Pray
3. Read your Bible
4. Talk to people about it who can give you good counsel
5. Be alert to what God is doing in your life
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Breakout Session Guide B.S.L. stands for Breakout Session Leader -
1. Spend some time talking about what they want to be when they grow up. Celebrate their decisions with them. Encourage them on towards their goals.
What do you want to be when you grow up? Why?
BSL – Many of our dreams and aspirations are self-centered. They are what we want.
What God wants has never entered out minds. What is going to bring me pleasure in
This life? When our perspective is that true joy and contentment comes with pleasing
God, then we can begin to really answer that question, and trust that we will be happy
With that pursuit.
2. Encourage them further that their focus needs to be on who they will be as opposed to what they will do. What we do is a direct response to who we are. As adults we know that our career paths hardly characterize us as people.
3. If the group is willing, take some time praying for one another and that we will become what God wants us to become.
7 Checkpoints: Wise Choices
The bus had just dropped Jamie off in front of his house. That’s when Jamie realized that he had forgotten his homework assignment in his locker at school. This was an important assignment. It meant the difference between passing and failing his Sophmore year.
Jamie didn’t know what to do. Just that morning, his mom had warned him about what would happen if he forgot his homework one more time. He would have to take summer school, and do both his and his sisters chores for the whole summer. He couldn’t tell his mom that he forgot it again. He had to think of something and fast, because his mom had already seen him get off the bus.
Mom – Hi, Jamie. I’ve got some cookies inside. How was school today?
N – Jamie thought to himself,
Jamie – “I’ll avoid the conversation altogether until I think of something.”
Jamie – Hi, Mom. I’m starving. Do we have milk?
N – Jamie wasn’t really starving. He was stalling.
Mom – I asked you how school was today.
Jamie – School is school. It’s not great. It’s not horrible. It’s just school. More importantly, how was your day?
N – Now Jamie’s mom knew that something was going on here. The last time that Jamie asked his mom about her day was…….Never.
Mom – Jamie, where is your homework? I called your history teacher today, and she told me that you had a 3 page worksheet to complete and a chapter to read.
N – Busted. Was there a way out of this? Jamie thought to himself
Jamie – “If I say I forgot it, then I’m stuck in summer school and I’m doing Julie’s chores. History isn’t until after lunch. I can do my homework during lunch, and then noone will ever know that I didn’t do it tonight. I’ll tell my mom that I finished it on the bus. No that won’t work. She’ll want to see it. I’ll tell her that I finished it in study hall. She doesn’t know when my study hall is. That’s what I’ll say.”
Jamie – I finished that in study hall today. It was so easy. The questions were fill in the blank right out of the book. I just read the chapter and answered the questions as I went along. It was so easy. You could have done it.
Mom – I’m going to trust you, Jamie. If you are lying to me, then you will pay the consequences. By the way, I invited your teacher over for dinner tonight. I’m looking forward to talking about what you read today in study hall.Jamie probably didn’t make the wisest choice. Jamie lied to his mother. I wonder what dinner will be like for Jamie.
I want to read something to you. Open your Bibles to Ephesians 5:15-17.
That’s on page ______.
Tonight we are going to focus on those last six words, “The will of the Lord is”
The words, “God’s will,” seem to take on all kinds of different meaning, and bring out different emotions. Sometimes there is fear and uncertainty. Other times there is a indescribably peace and a strength that comes from the comfort of God’.
There’s a new country song out that actually made me cry. I couldn’t help it. It was about a little boy named, “Will”. He was handicapped, and a lady took care of him during the day. She would take him to the park, and they would play. He had a great attitude. It made her realize that if Will could get through the pain that was a part of his life, she could get through the pain that was a part of hers. In the end of the song we learn that Will only has a couple of months left to live, and Will and his mother are leaving to go to California to see a specialist. Will give his babysitter a card that just says, Thank you from Will and God.
That was a really nice play on words, but what is God’s will really? Many people ask the question, “What is God’s will for my life?” How will I know when I have achieved God’s will for my life?
The term “God’s Will” seems to me to be a bit mysterious and unapproachable until we break it down a little bit, and make less scary.
You have a will. You have willpower. “I had to eat that last donut. I just don’t have enough willpower. You got up this morning, because you willed it. You said, “I have to go to school. I will get up, and go.”
Another way to say this is that you have desires. Your teachers and your parents have desires, too. They desire that you get a good education, and that you attend school in order to that. You may not necessarily desire that for yourself, but you accept their desires for you and you go to school.
So lets change the question, “What is God’s desire for my life?” What does God want for me?
#1 – God wants you to have a relationship with Him.
1 Corinthians 1;9 – “God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but will have everlasting life.”
Jesus Christ died so that this would be possible. He shed His own blood on the cross for you and for me. He loves you that much. You need to hear that, “God loves you. He cares about you and he has a wonderful plan for your life.”
#2 – God wants you to have a good life.
John 10:10 – I came that you might have life, and that you might have it abundantly
God created you on purpose. He also created you for a purpose. God desires that we worship Him. He desires that we grow to be more like Him.
Philippians 1:6 – “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”
He desires that we tell others about him. He desires that we have close relationships with eachother, and that we serve eachother
#3 – God wants your desires to be His desires.
Jamie’s mom and his teacher both want Jamie to succeed. They don’t want Jamie to fail and have to go through summer school to catch back up with his friends. Jamie wants to have fun and ‘enjoy life’. He doesn’t want to spend his time doing homework. He’ll do much better in school if he chooses to desire the same thing that his mom desires.
Tom wants to be an awesome drummer someday. When his teacher tells him that he will need to practice several times a week, he’s telling him because he wants Tom to succeed. If Tom chooses not to be obedient to his teacher, then he will only be a mediocre drummer who is capable of keeping a beat with a few little cymbal crashes for emphasis.
We all have choices to make every day. We can be wise or we can be foolish about our choices. When your desires are the same as God’s desires, then you will be making wise choices, unlike our friend, Jamie.
N – Later that afternoon Jamie walked up to his mom in the kitchen, because he knew that he had to make things right.
Jamie – Mom. I have something to tell you. I lied to you earlier. I didn’t do my homework yet, and I forgot it all in my locker. I guess that this means that I will be doing Julie’s chores for the summer, huh.
Mom – Jamie, I know that you lied to me. I’m your mother. It hurt that you didn’t think that you could tell me the truth the first time. I am glad that you were wise enough to come and set things straight. You will have to do some of Julie’s chores this summer, but because of your honesty you’ll only have to do them twice a week. As for your homework, your teacher is bringing over an extra copy of the book and an extra copy of the worksheet. I called her when I realized that you weren’t telling me the truth. She’ll be here in about an hour for dinner.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Breakout Session Guide B.S.L stands for Breakout Session Leader -
Have you ever been in a situation like Jamie’s? What did you do? Were you wise?
BSL – Story time. If you can think of a story from your own life, then share it. Let them
Do the same. Wise = Choosing right
What is your will? What is your will for being here tonight? Why are you here? What is it about The Grip that satisfies your will?
BSL – Let them answer how they want. Encourage all of the answers, and really
Encourage the great answers. J
1) Julie rushed home. “Good”, she thought, I beat Mom to the mailbox. Midterm progress reports were out. The failure notice in geometry would definitely not be a big hit. Since the divorce, Julie’s mother had been bugging her to improve her grades. Julie had tried, but Mr. Bradshaw didn’t teach geometry very well. Julie vowed to improve her grades. She knew she could do better. Why upset her mom when the quarter grades don’t count anyway?
What would you do in Julie’s situation? Reason?
What should you do in Julie’s situation? Reason?
What would Jesus do in Julie’s situation? Reason?
Genesis 12:11-13
2 Kings 6:19-23
Psalm 35:20
Proverbs 20:17
Jeremiah 17:9
2) Kim’s parents believed her again when she told them she didn’t know she was an hour late. They trusted her. Kim didn’t think it was her fault that she had to stretch the truth so often. She believed she wouldn’t have to do it at all if her parents weren’t so strict. Her curfew was just too early. All of her friends were allowed to stay out much later. Kim had tried talking to her parents several times, but they didn’t seem to listen.
What would you do in Julie’s situation? Reason?
What should you do in Julie’s situation? Reason?
What would Jesus do in Julie’s situation? Reason?
Psalm 35:20
Proverbs 23:25
Proverbs 30:11
Romans 7:11
Romans 7:18-23
Colossians 3:20
BSL – Pick one of the 2 above situations. Have the students in your group look up the
Verses. You may get nothing out of the verse or it may be great. Just have an open talk.
Jamie didn’t know what to do. Just that morning, his mom had warned him about what would happen if he forgot his homework one more time. He would have to take summer school, and do both his and his sisters chores for the whole summer. He couldn’t tell his mom that he forgot it again. He had to think of something and fast, because his mom had already seen him get off the bus.
Mom – Hi, Jamie. I’ve got some cookies inside. How was school today?
N – Jamie thought to himself,
Jamie – “I’ll avoid the conversation altogether until I think of something.”
Jamie – Hi, Mom. I’m starving. Do we have milk?
N – Jamie wasn’t really starving. He was stalling.
Mom – I asked you how school was today.
Jamie – School is school. It’s not great. It’s not horrible. It’s just school. More importantly, how was your day?
N – Now Jamie’s mom knew that something was going on here. The last time that Jamie asked his mom about her day was…….Never.
Mom – Jamie, where is your homework? I called your history teacher today, and she told me that you had a 3 page worksheet to complete and a chapter to read.
N – Busted. Was there a way out of this? Jamie thought to himself
Jamie – “If I say I forgot it, then I’m stuck in summer school and I’m doing Julie’s chores. History isn’t until after lunch. I can do my homework during lunch, and then noone will ever know that I didn’t do it tonight. I’ll tell my mom that I finished it on the bus. No that won’t work. She’ll want to see it. I’ll tell her that I finished it in study hall. She doesn’t know when my study hall is. That’s what I’ll say.”
Jamie – I finished that in study hall today. It was so easy. The questions were fill in the blank right out of the book. I just read the chapter and answered the questions as I went along. It was so easy. You could have done it.
Mom – I’m going to trust you, Jamie. If you are lying to me, then you will pay the consequences. By the way, I invited your teacher over for dinner tonight. I’m looking forward to talking about what you read today in study hall.Jamie probably didn’t make the wisest choice. Jamie lied to his mother. I wonder what dinner will be like for Jamie.
I want to read something to you. Open your Bibles to Ephesians 5:15-17.
That’s on page ______.
Tonight we are going to focus on those last six words, “The will of the Lord is”
The words, “God’s will,” seem to take on all kinds of different meaning, and bring out different emotions. Sometimes there is fear and uncertainty. Other times there is a indescribably peace and a strength that comes from the comfort of God’.
There’s a new country song out that actually made me cry. I couldn’t help it. It was about a little boy named, “Will”. He was handicapped, and a lady took care of him during the day. She would take him to the park, and they would play. He had a great attitude. It made her realize that if Will could get through the pain that was a part of his life, she could get through the pain that was a part of hers. In the end of the song we learn that Will only has a couple of months left to live, and Will and his mother are leaving to go to California to see a specialist. Will give his babysitter a card that just says, Thank you from Will and God.
That was a really nice play on words, but what is God’s will really? Many people ask the question, “What is God’s will for my life?” How will I know when I have achieved God’s will for my life?
The term “God’s Will” seems to me to be a bit mysterious and unapproachable until we break it down a little bit, and make less scary.
You have a will. You have willpower. “I had to eat that last donut. I just don’t have enough willpower. You got up this morning, because you willed it. You said, “I have to go to school. I will get up, and go.”
Another way to say this is that you have desires. Your teachers and your parents have desires, too. They desire that you get a good education, and that you attend school in order to that. You may not necessarily desire that for yourself, but you accept their desires for you and you go to school.
So lets change the question, “What is God’s desire for my life?” What does God want for me?
#1 – God wants you to have a relationship with Him.
1 Corinthians 1;9 – “God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but will have everlasting life.”
Jesus Christ died so that this would be possible. He shed His own blood on the cross for you and for me. He loves you that much. You need to hear that, “God loves you. He cares about you and he has a wonderful plan for your life.”
#2 – God wants you to have a good life.
John 10:10 – I came that you might have life, and that you might have it abundantly
God created you on purpose. He also created you for a purpose. God desires that we worship Him. He desires that we grow to be more like Him.
Philippians 1:6 – “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”
He desires that we tell others about him. He desires that we have close relationships with eachother, and that we serve eachother
#3 – God wants your desires to be His desires.
Jamie’s mom and his teacher both want Jamie to succeed. They don’t want Jamie to fail and have to go through summer school to catch back up with his friends. Jamie wants to have fun and ‘enjoy life’. He doesn’t want to spend his time doing homework. He’ll do much better in school if he chooses to desire the same thing that his mom desires.
Tom wants to be an awesome drummer someday. When his teacher tells him that he will need to practice several times a week, he’s telling him because he wants Tom to succeed. If Tom chooses not to be obedient to his teacher, then he will only be a mediocre drummer who is capable of keeping a beat with a few little cymbal crashes for emphasis.
We all have choices to make every day. We can be wise or we can be foolish about our choices. When your desires are the same as God’s desires, then you will be making wise choices, unlike our friend, Jamie.
N – Later that afternoon Jamie walked up to his mom in the kitchen, because he knew that he had to make things right.
Jamie – Mom. I have something to tell you. I lied to you earlier. I didn’t do my homework yet, and I forgot it all in my locker. I guess that this means that I will be doing Julie’s chores for the summer, huh.
Mom – Jamie, I know that you lied to me. I’m your mother. It hurt that you didn’t think that you could tell me the truth the first time. I am glad that you were wise enough to come and set things straight. You will have to do some of Julie’s chores this summer, but because of your honesty you’ll only have to do them twice a week. As for your homework, your teacher is bringing over an extra copy of the book and an extra copy of the worksheet. I called her when I realized that you weren’t telling me the truth. She’ll be here in about an hour for dinner.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Breakout Session Guide B.S.L stands for Breakout Session Leader -
Have you ever been in a situation like Jamie’s? What did you do? Were you wise?
BSL – Story time. If you can think of a story from your own life, then share it. Let them
Do the same. Wise = Choosing right
What is your will? What is your will for being here tonight? Why are you here? What is it about The Grip that satisfies your will?
BSL – Let them answer how they want. Encourage all of the answers, and really
Encourage the great answers. J
1) Julie rushed home. “Good”, she thought, I beat Mom to the mailbox. Midterm progress reports were out. The failure notice in geometry would definitely not be a big hit. Since the divorce, Julie’s mother had been bugging her to improve her grades. Julie had tried, but Mr. Bradshaw didn’t teach geometry very well. Julie vowed to improve her grades. She knew she could do better. Why upset her mom when the quarter grades don’t count anyway?
What would you do in Julie’s situation? Reason?
What should you do in Julie’s situation? Reason?
What would Jesus do in Julie’s situation? Reason?
Genesis 12:11-13
2 Kings 6:19-23
Psalm 35:20
Proverbs 20:17
Jeremiah 17:9
2) Kim’s parents believed her again when she told them she didn’t know she was an hour late. They trusted her. Kim didn’t think it was her fault that she had to stretch the truth so often. She believed she wouldn’t have to do it at all if her parents weren’t so strict. Her curfew was just too early. All of her friends were allowed to stay out much later. Kim had tried talking to her parents several times, but they didn’t seem to listen.
What would you do in Julie’s situation? Reason?
What should you do in Julie’s situation? Reason?
What would Jesus do in Julie’s situation? Reason?
Psalm 35:20
Proverbs 23:25
Proverbs 30:11
Romans 7:11
Romans 7:18-23
Colossians 3:20
BSL – Pick one of the 2 above situations. Have the students in your group look up the
Verses. You may get nothing out of the verse or it may be great. Just have an open talk.
7 Checkpoints: Healthy Friendships - Accountability
John 10:10
I have come that you might have life and that you might have it abundantly.
Paraphrase – Jesus came so that I could have a good life.
What is a good life?
A life that fulfills it’s reason for being. Anything short of that, falls short of having a good life. True fulfillment in life comes when we become what we were created to become.
You and I were created in God’s image. That’s exciting. That means that you and I are on a spiritual journey. That’s something that can’t be said about anything else that has ever been created.
We were created to worship God. Worshipping God is a privilege that has been reserved for you and me, people.
When you worship something or someone, you are saying, “You are worthy of my time” “You are worthy of my resources” “You are worth it”
1 Timothy 4:12
Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity show yourself an example of those who believe.
How many of you would agree that adults sometimes have a tendency to look down at young people. ____________________ That’s typically because recklessness, disrespect, apathy, selfishness, and foolishness are usually associated with young people’s behavior.
One of the ways that we show God that He’s worth it, is by listening to what He has to say and doing it.
What are some examples of Speech ____________ Conduct _____________ etc…?
That’s nice that we have an idea of what God wants us to do, but the big question is HOW???????
1) Be with the right people…
Proverbs 13:20 – He who walks with the wise will become wise, but he is the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Does anyone remember the difference between someone who is wise and someone who is a fool?
A wise friend is a good friend – Good friends know the difference between right and wrong. Good friends make good decisions. IT IS ALWAYS EASIER TO DO THE RIGHT THING WHEN YOU ARE WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE.
A foolish friend is not a good friend – A foolish person also know the difference between right and wrong, and chooses to do the wrong. They aren’t ignorant. They just aren’t interested in doing right regardless of the consequences, and they will drag you down with them.
That brings me to another reason we were created.
We were created to have deep and meaningful relationships with each other.
2) Be accountable
Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another
It’s called accountability.
If I am smart, then I’m going to surround myself with wise friends who will let me know when I am not being wise. They will let me know when I am making bad decisions in my speech, my conduct, my love, my faith, and my purity.
They will hold me to a standard.
-------------------------------------
Breakout Session Guide -
Give each person in the group a blank piece of paper and a pen.
Read 1 Timothy 4:12
Now Read it again and each time you come to a description (Speech, Conduct, Love, etc…) have a person write down that word.
If you run out of words, then just do it all again. If you run out of people, then just have some people do two.
Now hand out deflated balloons (one per person)
Have each person roll up their piece of paper and stick it inside the balloon.
Blow up the balloons and tie them off.
Put all the balloons in the middle of the group.
Each person, when it is there turn will take a balloon, pop it, read the paper, and give 2 examples (1 good and 1 bad)
Speech – Good – Thank you, mom….
Bad – You’re a moron….
BSL – Be sure to participate in this exercise with your group.
I have come that you might have life and that you might have it abundantly.
Paraphrase – Jesus came so that I could have a good life.
What is a good life?
A life that fulfills it’s reason for being. Anything short of that, falls short of having a good life. True fulfillment in life comes when we become what we were created to become.
You and I were created in God’s image. That’s exciting. That means that you and I are on a spiritual journey. That’s something that can’t be said about anything else that has ever been created.
We were created to worship God. Worshipping God is a privilege that has been reserved for you and me, people.
When you worship something or someone, you are saying, “You are worthy of my time” “You are worthy of my resources” “You are worth it”
1 Timothy 4:12
Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity show yourself an example of those who believe.
How many of you would agree that adults sometimes have a tendency to look down at young people. ____________________ That’s typically because recklessness, disrespect, apathy, selfishness, and foolishness are usually associated with young people’s behavior.
One of the ways that we show God that He’s worth it, is by listening to what He has to say and doing it.
What are some examples of Speech ____________ Conduct _____________ etc…?
That’s nice that we have an idea of what God wants us to do, but the big question is HOW???????
1) Be with the right people…
Proverbs 13:20 – He who walks with the wise will become wise, but he is the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Does anyone remember the difference between someone who is wise and someone who is a fool?
A wise friend is a good friend – Good friends know the difference between right and wrong. Good friends make good decisions. IT IS ALWAYS EASIER TO DO THE RIGHT THING WHEN YOU ARE WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE.
A foolish friend is not a good friend – A foolish person also know the difference between right and wrong, and chooses to do the wrong. They aren’t ignorant. They just aren’t interested in doing right regardless of the consequences, and they will drag you down with them.
That brings me to another reason we were created.
We were created to have deep and meaningful relationships with each other.
2) Be accountable
Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another
It’s called accountability.
If I am smart, then I’m going to surround myself with wise friends who will let me know when I am not being wise. They will let me know when I am making bad decisions in my speech, my conduct, my love, my faith, and my purity.
They will hold me to a standard.
-------------------------------------
Breakout Session Guide -
Give each person in the group a blank piece of paper and a pen.
Read 1 Timothy 4:12
Now Read it again and each time you come to a description (Speech, Conduct, Love, etc…) have a person write down that word.
If you run out of words, then just do it all again. If you run out of people, then just have some people do two.
Now hand out deflated balloons (one per person)
Have each person roll up their piece of paper and stick it inside the balloon.
Blow up the balloons and tie them off.
Put all the balloons in the middle of the group.
Each person, when it is there turn will take a balloon, pop it, read the paper, and give 2 examples (1 good and 1 bad)
Speech – Good – Thank you, mom….
Bad – You’re a moron….
BSL – Be sure to participate in this exercise with your group.
7 Checkpoints: Healthy Friendships - The Real Deal
What type of friend are you?
If you were a company, what would your name be, and what would you do?
Example 1: Mary’s nickel and dime store. I only give people the minimum.
Example 2: Susie’s Sunshine Palace. I try to make everybody happy.
Can you tell the difference between a REAL friend and a FAKE one?
Have them expand on their answers. Compare their answers to what a counterfeit
friend really looks like. 1) The direction of the relationship 2) Self-destructive
behavior. 3) A lack of solid convictions.
What does it mean to love someone?
What does a loving friendship look like?
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 is a good passage to look through. The point is that a true
friend is more interested in you as a person, than they are in your friendship. They
will do what they have to do to help you make wise choices, even if it means
sacrificing your friendship.
If you were a company, what would your name be, and what would you do?
Example 1: Mary’s nickel and dime store. I only give people the minimum.
Example 2: Susie’s Sunshine Palace. I try to make everybody happy.
Can you tell the difference between a REAL friend and a FAKE one?
Have them expand on their answers. Compare their answers to what a counterfeit
friend really looks like. 1) The direction of the relationship 2) Self-destructive
behavior. 3) A lack of solid convictions.
What does it mean to love someone?
What does a loving friendship look like?
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 is a good passage to look through. The point is that a true
friend is more interested in you as a person, than they are in your friendship. They
will do what they have to do to help you make wise choices, even if it means
sacrificing your friendship.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
7 Checkpoints: Healthy Friendships - Blue Skies
Three friends were lying in the grass underneath the stars one night, when they began to wonder out loud what they were. The first one said that they were fireflies that were stuck. The second one said that they were dead people looking down on us. The third one said that they were balls of gas burning millions of miles away.
Two boys and a girl were walking to school one day. They were talking to eachother about why the sky was blue.
The first boy said that the sky was blue because the earth is 75% water, water is reflective, and the sunlight bounces off of the water and back to the sky causing it to look blue.
The second boy said that the sky was blue because it was supposed to be.
The girl said that the sky is blue because it isn’t gray. If it were filled with rain and storms, then it wouldn’t be blue.
Who’s right?
How many of you like to watch storms at night. They are pretty awesome right. What happens when it storms? Damage. Things get damaged or destroyed. Lightning is powerful. My friend was in Vegas once where it rains about 2% of the year. He was there during a storm. He could see the desert from his room, and he watched the lightning hit the ground. ‘BAM’ and then sand would fly up from the force of the lightning.
The sky is something beautiful when it’s clear and blue. It’s safe. It’s fun. It has a real positive effect on our attitudes. When the sky is gray, we call it gloomy and depressing. The sky would always be blue if it weren’t for the rain and bad weather.
Proverbs 13:20
He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
Let me tell you what this is not saying: There are youth ministries in our community who would have you believe that if a person is not a Christian, then you should not hang out with them. The Bible doesn’t teach that. Jesus built relationships with everyone. He did not shun someone because of his or her lifestyle.
This verse raises a few questions:
1) What is a fool?
a. A fool is someone who knows right from wrong and chooses to do the wrong. They simply don’t care about doing right. They aren’t ignorant. They are just uninterested.
2) Are you a fool?
3) Do you hang with fools?
4) Who do I know that’s wise?
Just because you hang around fools, doesn’t mean that you will become a fool. It means that sooner or later something bad will happen to you.
You were created by God to have a great life. Jesus said, I have come that you might have life, and that you might have it abundantly. Most people go through life and never really experience it the way that God intended them to. We make bad decisions. We hang with people who make bad decisions.
You might find this interesting:
When I was growing up, surveys said that the top 3 greatest influences in my life were:
1) Spiritual leaders
2) Teachers
3) Parents
That list has changed. Guess whom the top three influences are in your life:
1) Parents
2) Media
3) Friends are the number one influence
Your friends are the most powerful influence in your life. Your friends have more influence over you than anybody, including yourself and even including God.
Do you know why? Because we all have 3 basic HUGE needs –
I want to be loved.
I want to be people to look at me and know that I can do whatever it is.
I want to belong (I want to be accepted)
On the questions that we asked last week, most of you said that acceptance isn’t important to you. Apparently, it is important. It is actually one of the most important things in your life. Just chew on that for a little bit.
Everyone has some goals for what they want their lives to look like. Girls have been planning their marriages since they were 10 and 12 years old. Your future isn’t just about a job. It’s about who will you be. What kind of man will you be? What kind of woman will you be?
Your friendships determine the direction and the quality of your life. Choose your friends wisely.
Two boys and a girl were walking to school one day. They were talking to eachother about why the sky was blue.
The first boy said that the sky was blue because the earth is 75% water, water is reflective, and the sunlight bounces off of the water and back to the sky causing it to look blue.
The second boy said that the sky was blue because it was supposed to be.
The girl said that the sky is blue because it isn’t gray. If it were filled with rain and storms, then it wouldn’t be blue.
Who’s right?
How many of you like to watch storms at night. They are pretty awesome right. What happens when it storms? Damage. Things get damaged or destroyed. Lightning is powerful. My friend was in Vegas once where it rains about 2% of the year. He was there during a storm. He could see the desert from his room, and he watched the lightning hit the ground. ‘BAM’ and then sand would fly up from the force of the lightning.
The sky is something beautiful when it’s clear and blue. It’s safe. It’s fun. It has a real positive effect on our attitudes. When the sky is gray, we call it gloomy and depressing. The sky would always be blue if it weren’t for the rain and bad weather.
Proverbs 13:20
He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
Let me tell you what this is not saying: There are youth ministries in our community who would have you believe that if a person is not a Christian, then you should not hang out with them. The Bible doesn’t teach that. Jesus built relationships with everyone. He did not shun someone because of his or her lifestyle.
This verse raises a few questions:
1) What is a fool?
a. A fool is someone who knows right from wrong and chooses to do the wrong. They simply don’t care about doing right. They aren’t ignorant. They are just uninterested.
2) Are you a fool?
3) Do you hang with fools?
4) Who do I know that’s wise?
Just because you hang around fools, doesn’t mean that you will become a fool. It means that sooner or later something bad will happen to you.
You were created by God to have a great life. Jesus said, I have come that you might have life, and that you might have it abundantly. Most people go through life and never really experience it the way that God intended them to. We make bad decisions. We hang with people who make bad decisions.
You might find this interesting:
When I was growing up, surveys said that the top 3 greatest influences in my life were:
1) Spiritual leaders
2) Teachers
3) Parents
That list has changed. Guess whom the top three influences are in your life:
1) Parents
2) Media
3) Friends are the number one influence
Your friends are the most powerful influence in your life. Your friends have more influence over you than anybody, including yourself and even including God.
Do you know why? Because we all have 3 basic HUGE needs –
I want to be loved.
I want to be people to look at me and know that I can do whatever it is.
I want to belong (I want to be accepted)
On the questions that we asked last week, most of you said that acceptance isn’t important to you. Apparently, it is important. It is actually one of the most important things in your life. Just chew on that for a little bit.
Everyone has some goals for what they want their lives to look like. Girls have been planning their marriages since they were 10 and 12 years old. Your future isn’t just about a job. It’s about who will you be. What kind of man will you be? What kind of woman will you be?
Your friendships determine the direction and the quality of your life. Choose your friends wisely.
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