ACTSion--A Call to Serve

Tonight we talked about Acts 1:1-11.
Jesus prepared the disciples b/c he was going back to heaven.
The question is do we spend any time with Jesus so we can be prepared.
Jesus proved that He was real and had risen.
The disciples still had questions about when Jesus would come back and how.
Jesus told them to not worry about it and told them to do more important things.
He told them Acts 1:8 that they would receive power.

Jesus showed us that we will never be a witness if we are not prepared.
How can we prepare?
              Ways to prepare-Reading the Bible, Believing in Jesus, Being involved in church, Being at church for the right reasons, Going on Mission for Jesus not just a cool location.

How can we go on mission?
      You don't have to go anywhere, just be on mission in your daily life. You don't have to be in a certain place to share Jesus.

Think about how you can get to know Jesus more this week. Pray about how you can go on mission.  Pray that you will do things for the right reason.

How can you start from scratch to get in the word?
Why don't people read their bible?
If you aren't in the Word, you will never be prepared.
There is no excuse for not reading the Word.

Final Thoughts/Questions
You don't have to just be at church to serve God.
Sometime this week take time away from tv, facebook, video games and actually open and read your Bible.
Don't be afraid to tell people about Jesus, the worst thing they can say is they don't believe. You don't have to pressure them, just serve them.
How will you go on mission?
Who will you serve?
Are you a good witness or a bad witness? (Bad Apple????)
-Brett and Jonathan

What the Bible is- and isn't

I came across a great article on how we need to teach our children (and youth and adults) that the bible is not about them. Here is a quote from the author that sums it up pretty well:

And that's why I wrote The Jesus Storybook Bible. So children could know what I didn't:

That the Bible isn't mainly about me, and what I should be doing. It's about God and what he has done.

That the Bible is most of all a story---the story of how God loves his children and comes to rescue them.

That---in spite of everything, no matter what, whatever it cost him---God won't ever stop loving his children . . . with a wonderful, Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love.

That the Bible, in short, is a Story---not a Rule Book---and there is only one Hero in the Story.

PRAISE OUR LORD that it is not about me or you. That we do not have to earn it! Woo Hoo! 

You can check out the whole article (it isn't long) here: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2012/02/21/teach-children-the-bible-is-not-about-them/ 

Hope you are having a wonderful day guys! Love you! 

Sabrina

Tonight in youth group we talked about what the cost of discipleship is and read from Luke 14. Discipleship means to bear your own cross and follow Jesus (confess that you are a sinner to God, follow Christ in sharing his word). In order to be a disciple, you have to say good-bye to everything in your life and say hello to Him.
We were also asked if we loved certain people more than Jesus. Examples were your parents, siblings, a boy/girlfriend, and then the hardest ones; what others think and yourself. Then we had to feel in the blanks with a "packman". (< or >) Saying whether we love that specific thing or person more than Jesus. That was probably the hardest thing to be honest about, even though you were the only person who was going to see it.
The last thing that Justin said to us tonight, and what stuck with me the most was if we don't think that following Jesus is "worth it," then we should even start because we will never put in the time or effort to finish it.
"He who began a good work in you will complete it." -Phil. 1'6
-Haley C.

Hypocrisy-Investigations in Luke

Ways to tell if you are a hypocrite.

1. More concern about outward appearance, then what is truly in your heart.

2. Do or give a little so you don’t feel guilty. (Giving the minimum amount)

3. Love to be noticed when you’re doing the right thing.

This matters because our generation is going to be held responsible.

Hypocrisy is contagious!!!

Everything will come to the light. Everything will be exposed. God wants All hypocrites in the Lord to just come to Him and be forgiven.

Colton and Aaron

God's Courtroom

Tonight we read from Hosea 4:1-9. We talked about being faithful to God as a lifestyle rather than just playing a game with Him. God tells his people we are not living a life that is full of truth or faithful love and knowledge of Him, but rather getting caught up in our sin of lying, cursing, murder, stealing, and adultery which is where our sinful nature kicks in and sin is never enough…we always want more.

We began to understand that without knowledge of Christ our sin kills or destroys us and we become useless. In verse 9 of chapter four we see that God get swift justice over all.-Aaron

James 1: 13-15
first step towards sin is to be drawn away by human desires.
Desire gives birth to sin which then fully grows and keeps getting bigger and then BAM death!
Don't put your burdens on God for it is your own desires which is tempting you towards sin.

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Stand-Ephesians 6: 10-20

When you are having problems you should give yourself to God and let Him take over. Put on the full armor of God and He will take control. -Jason

Life is a battlefield, so you must me strengthened by God's Word.  -Aaron B.

Following Jesus means standing up for what you believe in. Face the world head-on, even though it may be rough.  -Jason

You must be filled with Truth, Righteousness, Readiness, Faith and Salvation: which is your armor in the never-ending battle of Life.  God's Word is your Sword. -Jason

You must use God's strength to combat and win the battle of the world vs Jesus.  -Aaron B.

Battle Plan: Pray, Stay Alert, Perseverance, Speak Boldly.