This morning we started our new book: Genesis. We covered 1:1-2:3. We see the creation of the world by God. The book of Genesis is essential to us as Christians. Much of our faith is based on what we learn in it. Without Genesis we would be lacking a foundation for a lot of our beliefs. Today we talked about four different foundations.
#1 -- God created the world
From this foundation we find the basis for our belief that God exists, that he has more power than we do, that he is our moral authority, that he has a plan. It is interesting that evolution is never mentioned, nor does there seem to really be a place for it if we bleieve the biblical teaching. If evolution happened, morality doesn't make sense and man isn't a special creation.
#2 -- God exists and intereacts with our world
This foundation gives us a basis four knowing that God cares for us, that he created the rules, that he is in charge, and that he still does interfer with humanity. One major doctorine that is based on this foundation is Jesus coming to earth. If God just created everything and left, not wanting to be part of his creation, he would have never sent his son.
#3 -- We are Created in God's likeness
This foundation is what we base the idea that humanity is all equal, that we all have worth, and deserve respect and love. This means no matter how young, old, color of skin, wealth, mental capacity, etc... we all deserve that love and respect, because we have that character of God in us.
#4 -- How we treat the earth
This foundation is one that we build the idea that as humans we are to be taking care of the planet God gave to us. We are to use the things in it (plants, animals, minerals) in a responsible mannter. We don't need to go overboard with this, but we definiatly need to be taking care our planet in a responsible way.
The Genesis Gobs for the week: Read Genesis 2:4-25; Improve how you treat the earth or treat a person this week.
I give this morning: B
Favorite Moment: Seeing how evolution doesn't make sense with the Biblical account
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Summer Kick-Off BBQ -- Friday, June 12th
Today was our Summer Kick-Off BBQ. We had 29 youth show up, and it was a blast. We played 3 group games and hung out. We also did a short message. If you want to see more pictures just go to our picture website at: http://thetabyouth.spaces.live.com
For the sermon we finished the book of Jonah. Kirstin and Dillion acted out chapter 3 and and then we read from Jonah 4:1-11. We talked about how Jonah hated Nineveh, and we knew this by his words and actions. He loved and had more concern for a plant than he did for the people of Nineveh. Yet, despite his hate, God loved both Jonah and the Ninevites.
We show our hatred of others by our actions, words, and attitudes toward others. Many times we are more conerned with objects and money than we are with popele. But God expects us to love everyone, just as he does. I then challenged you all to make it a goal this summer to pick one person that you don't currently show love to and show love to that person during the summer.
Lost #2 -- Found -- June 10th
Tonight we finished our two week series about Jonah. We acted out 2:1-3:3a. In it we find what happened to Jonah after he is thrown into the sea. He is saved when he prays, how you ask? By sending a big fish to swallow him alive. After sitting for three days, God causes the fish to vomit him up on the shore. He prays and thanks God, who again sends him to Nineveh, this time Jonah does what he is told.
We can all be lost. Sometimes we get lost physically, sometimes emotionally, sometimes spiritually, ans sometimes we get lost from the calling that God has given to us. But this story should give us hope. It teaches us that no matter how lost we get, God is still able to find us. It teaches us that when we turn back to God, we become found. How do we turn back? We must first realize that we have drifted away, then ask God to forgive us, and finally put our whole self into it (passion, time, engergy) putting it above all things. And when we return to God he accepts us, loves us, transforms us, and then places us back on our path. Are you ready to return to God?
I give tonight: B-
Favorite Moment: Being able to smell the story (dead fish heads)
We can all be lost. Sometimes we get lost physically, sometimes emotionally, sometimes spiritually, ans sometimes we get lost from the calling that God has given to us. But this story should give us hope. It teaches us that no matter how lost we get, God is still able to find us. It teaches us that when we turn back to God, we become found. How do we turn back? We must first realize that we have drifted away, then ask God to forgive us, and finally put our whole self into it (passion, time, engergy) putting it above all things. And when we return to God he accepts us, loves us, transforms us, and then places us back on our path. Are you ready to return to God?
I give tonight: B-
Favorite Moment: Being able to smell the story (dead fish heads)
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Final Instructions -- June 7th
Today we finished 1st Thessalonians by reading 5:12-28. In it we receive some final instructions of how to treat others and God.
Verses 12-15 talk about how to treat others. Paul tells us to hold others in the highest regard, to love, to live at peace with others, to warn those who are lazy, to encourage the shy, to be patient with everyone, to try and be kind with all, and to not repay wrong with wrong. Maybe you are struggling in one of these areas, set a goal to improve and ask God for his help to treat others better.
Verses 16-18 tell us God's will: Be joyful always, pray continually, and to give thanks in all circumstances. The word joyful is often misinterpreted to mean happy, but it has nothing to do with the emotion but instead means to be at peace or content no matter what because you know that God is in control. When he says to pray continually the word means to pray repeatedly throughout the day, it is to be a very regular practice. Finally it says to give thanks IN all circumstances, not give thanks FOR all circumstances. Even if you are going through a terrible time in your life you can still thank God that he is ultimately in control and can rescue you.
Verses 19-22 have to do with how you are treating God. Paul tells us to not quench the Spirit's fire, to not treat prophecies with contempt, to test everything, to hold on to the good, and to AVOID, not just not do, every kind of evil. How are you treating God in yor actions?
Verses 23-24 tell us that God is willing to sanctify (which means make holy for special service) us through and through and is willing to keep our spirit, soul, and body blameless.
Finally Paul finishes with verses 25-28. In them he tells them to pray for them, to greet each other with a holy kiss, to read the letter to all, and that he hopes that God's grace will be with them all. So remember to pray for those in spiritual authority over you, greeting each other properly, to share what you learn at church with others, and remember that God's grace is with you at all times.
So the big question is: Will you make changes?
I give this morning: B-
Favorite moment: Everyone in class at one point or another saying, "What?"
Verses 12-15 talk about how to treat others. Paul tells us to hold others in the highest regard, to love, to live at peace with others, to warn those who are lazy, to encourage the shy, to be patient with everyone, to try and be kind with all, and to not repay wrong with wrong. Maybe you are struggling in one of these areas, set a goal to improve and ask God for his help to treat others better.
Verses 16-18 tell us God's will: Be joyful always, pray continually, and to give thanks in all circumstances. The word joyful is often misinterpreted to mean happy, but it has nothing to do with the emotion but instead means to be at peace or content no matter what because you know that God is in control. When he says to pray continually the word means to pray repeatedly throughout the day, it is to be a very regular practice. Finally it says to give thanks IN all circumstances, not give thanks FOR all circumstances. Even if you are going through a terrible time in your life you can still thank God that he is ultimately in control and can rescue you.
Verses 19-22 have to do with how you are treating God. Paul tells us to not quench the Spirit's fire, to not treat prophecies with contempt, to test everything, to hold on to the good, and to AVOID, not just not do, every kind of evil. How are you treating God in yor actions?
Verses 23-24 tell us that God is willing to sanctify (which means make holy for special service) us through and through and is willing to keep our spirit, soul, and body blameless.
Finally Paul finishes with verses 25-28. In them he tells them to pray for them, to greet each other with a holy kiss, to read the letter to all, and that he hopes that God's grace will be with them all. So remember to pray for those in spiritual authority over you, greeting each other properly, to share what you learn at church with others, and remember that God's grace is with you at all times.
So the big question is: Will you make changes?
I give this morning: B-
Favorite moment: Everyone in class at one point or another saying, "What?"
Friday, June 5, 2009
Lost #1 -- Lost -- June 3rd
Tonight we started talking about a man named Jonah. We acted out the first chapter of Jonah, the 32nd book in the bible. In it, Jonah ends up hearing from God that he is to go to his enemies and get them to ask God for forgiveness. Rather than following God's plan he runs off on a boat headed in the opposite direction. A storm ends with Jonah being thrown overboard. While in the water he is swallowed by a gigantic fish, where he remained for three days.
We then discussed some ways that we run from God. I made four points of application for us.
1. When we run from God it is a lock we will end up lost.
2. We can be lost spiritually, physically, and destinically
3. No matter how far we run, God is still there
4. No matter how deep we go, we still have hope
No matter where you are right now, God is there waiting for you to turn back to him, to stop running and no longer be lost.
I give tonight: A+
Favorite moment: Alex and Cody's acting skills
We then discussed some ways that we run from God. I made four points of application for us.
1. When we run from God it is a lock we will end up lost.
2. We can be lost spiritually, physically, and destinically
3. No matter how far we run, God is still there
4. No matter how deep we go, we still have hope
No matter where you are right now, God is there waiting for you to turn back to him, to stop running and no longer be lost.
I give tonight: A+
Favorite moment: Alex and Cody's acting skills
Monday, June 1, 2009
The Rapture -- May 31st
Today we talkeda bout 1st Thessalonians 4:13-5:11. In these verses Paul talks about an event that we call the rapture. The rapture is an event that will happen near the end of the world. It will happen when Jesus returns to the earth. First the dead in Christ will rise up, followed by believers that are still alive and be taken into the sky to meet Jesus there. It is said that it will happen suddenly and unexpectally. But it also says that Believers that are paying attention will see it coming, not knowing the exact time or date but that it is coming soon. With all this informatino we are told that our belief that Jesus is coming should change our actions. He tells us that we are to: Encourage each other with these words, be on alert, be self-controlled, put on faith and love and hope, and to build each other up. So, do you believe that Jesus is returning? If so, what has that belief changed in you? Are you acting differently because of it?
I give this morning: B+
Favorite moment: Megan's heretical speech
I give this morning: B+
Favorite moment: Megan's heretical speech
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