Opening Question: What has been the highlight of your summer so far?
Read 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 out loud as a group, and again silently by yourself:
11 We know what it means to have respect for the Lord. So we try to help other people to understand it. What we are is plain to God. I hope it is also plain to your way of thinking. 12 We are not trying to make an appeal to you again. But we are giving you a chance to take pride in us. Then you can answer those who take pride in how people look rather than in what is really in their hearts. 13 Are we out of our minds? That is because we want to serve God. Does what we say make sense? That is because we want to serve you. 14 Christ's love controls us. We are sure that one person died for everyone. And so everyone died. 15 Christ died for everyone. He died so that those who live should not live for themselves anymore. They should live for Christ. He died for them and was raised again. 16 So from now on we don't look at anyone the way the world does. At one time we looked at Christ in that way. But we don't anymore. 17 Anyone who believes in Christ is a new creation. The old is gone! The new has come! 18 It is all from God. He brought us back to himself through Christ's death on the cross. And he has given us the task of bringing others back to him through Christ. 19 God was bringing the world back to himself through Christ. He did not hold people's sins against them. God has trusted us with the message that people may be brought back to him. 20 So we are Christ's official messengers. It is as if God were making his appeal through us. Here is what Christ wants us to beg you to do. Come back to God! 21 Christ didn't have any sin. But God made him become sin for us. So we can be made right with God because of what Christ has done for us.
Try to find the following questions from the verses above:
1) Is there anything hard to understand in any of the verses above?
2) How does God see us before and after we are right with God?
3) Who was Jesus Christ, and what was his mission?
4) How can we be made right with God?
5) Is there something in your life that needs to be made right with God?
6) What is the primary job of the Christian?
Friday, July 30, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
PCU and GKU
Dan Brannen led the study portion of ICF on Friday. The following is a brief description:
Imagine that we are high school students, touring different universities. The two universities we get to tour today are Politically Correct University (PCU) and God's Kingdom University (GKU).
At the PCU tour, we learned about how to distinguish between values. PCU gave us a value (like running away from bears), and we had to choose whether it was a 1 - personal value, 2 - cultural value, or 3 - universal value. Individuals were asked why they thought the value was one of the three. Some of the other values were speaking Arabic, speaking Arabic as a foreign language, and wearing white mourning robes for 30 days.
During the GKU, we learned that we need to determine our values based on God's book - the Bible. We base our values on what the KING wants and what His Book (the Bible) says, not on our personal opinion or on what the culture around us tells us. Like the PCU tour, we had to choose between 3 categories. The categories are 1 - celebrate/embrace, 2 - reject, and 3 - redeem. The celebrate category includes values that are in-line with the Bible and should be enjoyed and celebrated. The reject category includes things in-which the Bible teaches against. And the redeem category includes values which are wrong, but which can be turned into something good. Like before, individuals were asked to state why they picked each category for the value stated. Some of the values included wearing a jade dragon, having more than one wife, arranged marriages, and "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas".
As students of GKU, we would learn that we should not reject all of the cultural values of the country that we live in. As the three categories suggest, there are some values that should be embraced and others that should be rejected, and others that need to be redeemed. Some of the verses that address these issues are 1 John 2:15-17, Matthew 5:13-16, Phillipians 2:14-15, and Ephesians 5:8-11. I encourage you to look them up right now.
After touring these two university and participating in the games where we had to decide what category each value fit into, which university do you want to go to? Why? What are some of your thoughts about it?
Imagine that we are high school students, touring different universities. The two universities we get to tour today are Politically Correct University (PCU) and God's Kingdom University (GKU).
At the PCU tour, we learned about how to distinguish between values. PCU gave us a value (like running away from bears), and we had to choose whether it was a 1 - personal value, 2 - cultural value, or 3 - universal value. Individuals were asked why they thought the value was one of the three. Some of the other values were speaking Arabic, speaking Arabic as a foreign language, and wearing white mourning robes for 30 days.
During the GKU, we learned that we need to determine our values based on God's book - the Bible. We base our values on what the KING wants and what His Book (the Bible) says, not on our personal opinion or on what the culture around us tells us. Like the PCU tour, we had to choose between 3 categories. The categories are 1 - celebrate/embrace, 2 - reject, and 3 - redeem. The celebrate category includes values that are in-line with the Bible and should be enjoyed and celebrated. The reject category includes things in-which the Bible teaches against. And the redeem category includes values which are wrong, but which can be turned into something good. Like before, individuals were asked to state why they picked each category for the value stated. Some of the values included wearing a jade dragon, having more than one wife, arranged marriages, and "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas".
As students of GKU, we would learn that we should not reject all of the cultural values of the country that we live in. As the three categories suggest, there are some values that should be embraced and others that should be rejected, and others that need to be redeemed. Some of the verses that address these issues are 1 John 2:15-17, Matthew 5:13-16, Phillipians 2:14-15, and Ephesians 5:8-11. I encourage you to look them up right now.
After touring these two university and participating in the games where we had to decide what category each value fit into, which university do you want to go to? Why? What are some of your thoughts about it?
Friday, July 16, 2010
Revelation of Jesus - Part 3
Opening question: If God was a man, what do you think that man be like?
Let’s read about Jesus out loud the first time, and then again silently, circling any words that you’re not sure about:
John 1:1-3, 14
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made. Without him nothing was made that has been made.
John 10:28-33
28 "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one." 31 Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him. 32 But Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?" 33 "We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God."
1 John 5:11-13
11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He who has the Son has life. He who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
John 17:3
3 "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."
Thought Questions:
1) Is there anything that you don’t understand in the Bible verses above?
2) According to the Bible, what’s the relationship between God and Jesus?
3) If Jesus is the one, true Creator God, how can Jesus help people today and in the future?
4) Have you come to the point in your life where you know for sure -- 100% -- that you’re going to heaven?
5) If you were to die tonight and stand before God, and He asked you, “Why should I let you into my heaven?” what would your answer would be?
6) How can we know for sure that we have eternal life, according to the verses above?
7) Why do you think it might be good to know for sure that you’re going to heaven?
Let’s read about Jesus out loud the first time, and then again silently, circling any words that you’re not sure about:
John 1:1-3, 14
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made. Without him nothing was made that has been made.
John 10:28-33
28 "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one." 31 Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him. 32 But Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?" 33 "We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God."
1 John 5:11-13
11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He who has the Son has life. He who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
John 17:3
3 "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."
Thought Questions:
1) Is there anything that you don’t understand in the Bible verses above?
2) According to the Bible, what’s the relationship between God and Jesus?
3) If Jesus is the one, true Creator God, how can Jesus help people today and in the future?
4) Have you come to the point in your life where you know for sure -- 100% -- that you’re going to heaven?
5) If you were to die tonight and stand before God, and He asked you, “Why should I let you into my heaven?” what would your answer would be?
6) How can we know for sure that we have eternal life, according to the verses above?
7) Why do you think it might be good to know for sure that you’re going to heaven?
Friday, July 9, 2010
Revelation of Jesus - Part 2
Opening Question: Do you like to get new things?
Read Revelation 21:5-8; 22:12-17, 20 out loud in your group, and again silently and slowly.
Revelation 21:5-8
5 He who was sitting on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down. You can trust these words. They are true." 6 He said to me, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last. I am the Beginning and the End. Anyone who is thirsty may drink from the spring of the water of life. It doesn't cost anything! 7 Anyone who overcomes will receive all this from me. I will be his God, and he will be my child. 8 But others will have their place in the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. Those who are afraid and those who do not believe will be there. Murderers and those who pollute themselves will join them. Those who commit sexual sins and those who practice witchcraft will go there. Those who worship statues of gods and all who tell lies will be there too. It is the second death."
Revelation 22:12-17, 20
12 “Look! I am coming soon! I bring my rewards with me. I will reward each person for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega. I am the First and the Last. I am the Beginning and the End. 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will have the right to come to the tree of life. They will be allowed to go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside the city are the dogs and those who practice witchcraft. Outside are also those who commit sexual sins and murder. Those who worship statues of gods, and everyone who loves and does what is false, are outside too. 16 I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this witness for the churches. I am the Root and the Son of David. I am the bright Morning Star." 17 The Holy Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" Let those who hear say, "Come!" Anyone who is thirsty should come. Anyone who wants to take the free gift of the water of life should do so." 20 He who gives witness to these things says, "Yes. I am coming soon."
Thought Questions:
1. What does you wish Jesus would make new in today’s world?
2. Make a list of all the descriptions of Jesus.
3. What is your favorite description of Jesus, and why?
4. What do you think the following represent: water of life, second death, robes, tree of life, the city, dogs
5. What do you think it means for people to “wash their robes”?
6. How can people escape the “lake of fire”?
7. How can people “drink from the spring of the water of life” and “come to the tree of life”?
Read Revelation 21:5-8; 22:12-17, 20 out loud in your group, and again silently and slowly.
Revelation 21:5-8
5 He who was sitting on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down. You can trust these words. They are true." 6 He said to me, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last. I am the Beginning and the End. Anyone who is thirsty may drink from the spring of the water of life. It doesn't cost anything! 7 Anyone who overcomes will receive all this from me. I will be his God, and he will be my child. 8 But others will have their place in the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. Those who are afraid and those who do not believe will be there. Murderers and those who pollute themselves will join them. Those who commit sexual sins and those who practice witchcraft will go there. Those who worship statues of gods and all who tell lies will be there too. It is the second death."
Revelation 22:12-17, 20
12 “Look! I am coming soon! I bring my rewards with me. I will reward each person for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega. I am the First and the Last. I am the Beginning and the End. 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will have the right to come to the tree of life. They will be allowed to go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside the city are the dogs and those who practice witchcraft. Outside are also those who commit sexual sins and murder. Those who worship statues of gods, and everyone who loves and does what is false, are outside too. 16 I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this witness for the churches. I am the Root and the Son of David. I am the bright Morning Star." 17 The Holy Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" Let those who hear say, "Come!" Anyone who is thirsty should come. Anyone who wants to take the free gift of the water of life should do so." 20 He who gives witness to these things says, "Yes. I am coming soon."
Thought Questions:
1. What does you wish Jesus would make new in today’s world?
2. Make a list of all the descriptions of Jesus.
3. What is your favorite description of Jesus, and why?
4. What do you think the following represent: water of life, second death, robes, tree of life, the city, dogs
5. What do you think it means for people to “wash their robes”?
6. How can people escape the “lake of fire”?
7. How can people “drink from the spring of the water of life” and “come to the tree of life”?
Friday, July 2, 2010
Revelation of Jesus - Part 1
Opening Question: Have you ever been shocked to see someone for some reason?
Read Revelation 1:4-18 out loud as a group, and then again silently.
4 I, John, am writing this letter. I am sending it to the seven churches in Asia Minor:
May grace and peace come to you from the One who is, and who was, and who will come. May grace and peace come to you from the seven spirits who are in front of God's throne. 5 May grace and peace come to you from Jesus Christ. What Jesus gives witness to can always be trusted. He was the first to rise from the dead. He rules over the kings of the earth. Give glory and power to the One who loves us! He has set us free from our sins by pouring out his blood for us. 6 He has made us members of his royal family. He has made us priests who serve his God and Father. Give him glory and power forever and ever! Amen.
7 Look! He is coming with the clouds! Every eye will see him. Even those who pierced him will see him. All the nations of the earth will be sad because of him. This will really happen! Amen.
8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," says the Lord God. "I am the One who is, and who was, and who will come. I am the Almighty." 9 I, John, am a believer like you. I am a friend who suffers like you. As members of Jesus' royal family, we can put up with anything that happens to us. I was on the island of Patmos because I taught God's word and what Jesus said. 10 The Holy Spirit took complete control of me on the Lord's Day. I heard a loud voice behind me that sounded like a trumpet. 11 The voice said, "Write on a scroll what you see. Send it to the seven churches in Asia Minor. They are Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea."
12 I turned around to see who was speaking to me. When I turned, I saw seven golden lampstands. 13 In the middle of them was someone who looked "like a Son of man." He was dressed in a long robe with a gold strip of cloth around his chest. 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow. His eyes were like a blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze metal glowing in a furnace. His voice sounded like rushing waters. 16 He held seven stars in his right hand. Out of his mouth came a sharp sword that had two edges. His face was like the sun shining in all of its brightness.
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. Then he put his right hand on me and said, "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One. I was dead. But look! I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys to Death and Hell."
Thought Questions:
1) Is there anything that you have a hard time understanding?
2) What is your favorite description of Jesus, and why?
3) Who is Jesus? Explain.
4) What has Jesus done for us, according to these verses?
5) How can we be “freed from our sins” like we read in 1:5?
6) What difference does it make, if Jesus is “alive forever and ever”?
Read Revelation 1:4-18 out loud as a group, and then again silently.
4 I, John, am writing this letter. I am sending it to the seven churches in Asia Minor:
May grace and peace come to you from the One who is, and who was, and who will come. May grace and peace come to you from the seven spirits who are in front of God's throne. 5 May grace and peace come to you from Jesus Christ. What Jesus gives witness to can always be trusted. He was the first to rise from the dead. He rules over the kings of the earth. Give glory and power to the One who loves us! He has set us free from our sins by pouring out his blood for us. 6 He has made us members of his royal family. He has made us priests who serve his God and Father. Give him glory and power forever and ever! Amen.
7 Look! He is coming with the clouds! Every eye will see him. Even those who pierced him will see him. All the nations of the earth will be sad because of him. This will really happen! Amen.
8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," says the Lord God. "I am the One who is, and who was, and who will come. I am the Almighty." 9 I, John, am a believer like you. I am a friend who suffers like you. As members of Jesus' royal family, we can put up with anything that happens to us. I was on the island of Patmos because I taught God's word and what Jesus said. 10 The Holy Spirit took complete control of me on the Lord's Day. I heard a loud voice behind me that sounded like a trumpet. 11 The voice said, "Write on a scroll what you see. Send it to the seven churches in Asia Minor. They are Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea."
12 I turned around to see who was speaking to me. When I turned, I saw seven golden lampstands. 13 In the middle of them was someone who looked "like a Son of man." He was dressed in a long robe with a gold strip of cloth around his chest. 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow. His eyes were like a blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze metal glowing in a furnace. His voice sounded like rushing waters. 16 He held seven stars in his right hand. Out of his mouth came a sharp sword that had two edges. His face was like the sun shining in all of its brightness.
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. Then he put his right hand on me and said, "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One. I was dead. But look! I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys to Death and Hell."
Thought Questions:
1) Is there anything that you have a hard time understanding?
2) What is your favorite description of Jesus, and why?
3) Who is Jesus? Explain.
4) What has Jesus done for us, according to these verses?
5) How can we be “freed from our sins” like we read in 1:5?
6) What difference does it make, if Jesus is “alive forever and ever”?
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